Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site |
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Location | Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, United States |
Area | 0.32 acres (0.13 ha) |
Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
Established | 1977 |
Operator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
Website | Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site |
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio
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Built | Ca. 1903 |
Architect | George A. Mathews |
Architectural style | Late Victorian |
NRHP reference No. | 80002362 |
Added to NRHP | November 21, 1980 |
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into an artist's world? The Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City, Missouri, lets you do just that! This special place keeps the house and art studio of a famous Missouri artist, Thomas Hart Benton, exactly as he left it.
The site became a historic landmark in 1977. It is looked after by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. When you visit, you can take a tour. You'll see the house and studio filled with Benton's furniture and art supplies. It's like he just stepped out for a moment! The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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Discover Thomas Hart Benton's Historic Home
This historic site is a unique window into the life of a great American artist. It shows how Thomas Hart Benton lived and created his art. The house itself has an interesting story.
A Look Inside Benton's Kansas City Home
The house where Thomas Hart Benton lived and worked is in the Roanoke Park neighborhood of Kansas City. It was built around 1903. The building looks strong and solid, almost like a small castle. This is because it sits high above the street. Its front is made of rough, uneven limestone blocks.
The House's Early Days
The house was first built for a man named Walter E. Kirkpatrick. The architect who designed it was George Mathews. He was a supporter of the "City Beautiful movement." This movement aimed to make cities more beautiful and orderly. The home is quite large, with about 7,800 square feet. It has three and a half floors, 24 rooms, and four fireplaces.
The Benton Family Moves In
Thomas Hart Benton and his family bought this unique property in 1939. They paid $6,000 for the home and its one-third acre of land. Benton lived and worked here until he passed away on January 19, 1975. Today, the site is preserved to honor his legacy. It allows visitors to experience his artistic environment firsthand.