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List of museums in Kansas City, Missouri facts for kids

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Kansas City, Missouri, is a big city with lots to see and do! One of the best ways to learn about history, art, science, and more is by visiting a museum. Museums are special places that collect, care for, and show interesting objects to the public. They can be about anything from old cars to famous paintings or even how music started. This list will tell you about some of the cool museums you can explore in Kansas City!

Museums in Kansas City

Here are some of the exciting museums you can find in Kansas City, Missouri:

American Jazz Museum

  • Location: 18th and Vine
  • What it's about: This museum celebrates the amazing history of jazz music. It's located in the same building as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, so you can visit two cool places at once!

American Royal Museum

  • Location: Greater Downtown
  • What it's about: This museum is all about agriculture, which means farming and raising animals. It shows exhibits about horse and livestock (farm animal) shows, rodeos, and the history of farming. You usually need to make an appointment to visit.

Arabia Steamboat Museum

  • Location: River Market
  • What it's about: Imagine a steamboat that sank in the river in the mid-1800s! This museum shows the actual steamboat Arabia that was found and dug up, along with thousands of items that were on board. It's like a time capsule from the past!

Battle of Westport Museum & Visitor Center

  • Location: South Kansas City, inside Swope Park
  • What it's about: Learn all about the Battle of Westport, a very important battle that happened during the American Civil War right here in Kansas City. You can find more information on their website.

Belger Arts Center

  • Location: Crossroads
  • What it's about: This art center shows off a fantastic collection of fine art. They also have special exhibits that change, featuring art made in many different ways.

Black Archives of Mid-America

  • Location: 18th and Vine
  • What it's about: This museum tells the important story of African Americans in the Kansas City area. It has a permanent exhibit that shares their history and contributions. You can visit their website for more details.

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center

  • Location: East Side
  • What it's about: This center celebrates the legacy of Kansas City’s first African-American pioneers. It explores the artistic, cultural, and social history of the African-American experience.

College Basketball Experience

  • Location: Downtown
  • What it's about: If you love basketball, this is the place for you! It's an interactive museum about the history of men's college basketball in the United States. It also includes the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Greenlease Art Gallery

  • Location: Plaza area
  • What it's about: This art gallery is part of Rockhurst University. It features various art exhibits for everyone to enjoy.

Hallmark Visitors Center

  • Location: Greater Downtown
  • What it's about: Discover the history of Hallmark Cards, the famous company that makes greeting cards and more! You can see exhibits of old Hallmark cards, ornaments, art, and collectibles. Check out their website.

Harris-Kearney House

  • Location: Westport
  • What it's about: Step back in time at this historic house! It's a mid-19th-century Greek Revival style house, operated by the Westport Historical Society, showing what life was like long ago.

John Wornall House Museum

  • Location: Brookside
  • What it's about: This museum is another historic house from the time before the American Civil War. It gives you a peek into life in the 1800s.

Kansas Fire Brigade Museum

  • Location: Downtown
  • What it's about: Located in an old fire station, this museum is dedicated to the history of firefighting. You can learn about the brave firefighters and the equipment they used.

Kansas City Garment District Museum

  • Location: Downtown
  • What it's about: Did you know Kansas City used to be a big center for making clothes? This museum shows clothing, hats, photos, and tools like sewing machines and fabric cutters from that time.

Kansas City Irish Center

  • Location: Broadway Gillham
  • What it's about: This center celebrates the Irish and Irish-American community, culture, history, and heritage in the Kansas City area.

Kansas City Museum

  • Location: Northeast
  • What it's about: This large museum covers many different topics, including the history of Kansas City, natural history, and art. It's a great place to learn about many things at once!

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

  • Location: Southmoreland
  • What it's about: This museum focuses on contemporary art, which means art made from the early 1900s up to today. You'll see modern and exciting works by current artists.

The Money Museum

  • Location: Greater Downtown
  • What it's about: Operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, this museum teaches you all about money! You can learn about the Federal Reserve, how the nation's financial system works, and see cool coin collections.

National Airline History Museum

  • Location: Northeast, at the Kansas City Downtown Airport
  • What it's about: Explore the fascinating history of commercial aviation (flying planes for passengers and cargo). You can see old airplanes and learn how air travel has changed over time.

National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

  • Location: Plaza area
  • What it's about: Get ready to feel like a giant! This museum has amazing collections of classic toys and incredibly detailed, tiny miniatures. It's super fun to see all the tiny worlds and old toys.

National World War I Museum and Memorial

  • Location: Greater Downtown
  • What it's about: This is one of the most important museums about World War I in the world. It has many artifacts from the war and interactive displays that help you understand this major historical event.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

  • Location: 18th and Vine
  • What it's about: This museum tells the inspiring story of the Negro leagues, where African-American baseball players played before they were allowed in Major League Baseball. It's in the same building as the American Jazz Museum.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  • Location: Southmoreland
  • What it's about: This is a huge art museum with collections from all over the world, including European paintings, amazing Asian art, American paintings, and photography. You could spend hours exploring here!

Science City at Union Station

  • Location: Greater Downtown, inside Union Station
  • What it's about: Get ready for hands-on fun! Science City has over 120 interactive science exhibits where you can experiment and learn. It also has a planetarium where you can explore space.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum

  • Location: Northland, in Hodge Park
  • What it's about: Step back into 19th-century Missouri life! This museum is a village made up of over eighteen historic buildings and log cabins from the 1800s that were moved here. You can walk around and see what life was like back then. Visit their website.

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site

  • Location: Midtown-Westport
  • What it's about: This is the actual home and studio of the famous American artist Thomas Hart Benton. You can see where he lived and created his incredible artworks.

Trailside Center

United Federation of Doll Clubs Museum

  • Location: Northeast
  • What it's about: If you love dolls, this museum is for you! It has a collection of antique, vintage, and modern dolls, including play dolls and artist dolls. You can find more information on their website.

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List of museums in Kansas City, Missouri Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.