I can appreciate the idea behind the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center but it is a little…read morelackluster. I would love to see this place as a thriving center in the community. The exhibits and resource library are sparse. Plan to spend about 30 mins at the location, unless you decide to read a book at the center. Exhibits consist of art created by black, Kansas City artists. I enjoyed seeing what is produced by some of the professors at local universities and other artists residing in Kansas City. Collections of works from around five primary arts are on display at the moment, though they change regularly. Many artist bios were taped up on printer paper which felt a little sloppy, even for temporary installations. Other exhibits, like the one on the 92th infantry, included screenshots from Wikipedia-- again, sloppy. There is a decent amount of organized information on Bruce R. Watkins, his life, and career, which is a positive for exhibits displayed. The resource library claims to have over 250 books and magazines on black history. I wonder how this compares to the Black Archives of Mid-America, also located in Kansas City. From the works of the library, I wonder when they add new materials because everything seemed relatively dated. The executive director, Emiel Cleaver, and the security guard, Carl, we're kind. I wish I would have asked Mr. Cleaver about the direction/aspirations for the center. I assume it stays open because people rent the location to host events. Overall, I think the center is still getting back on its feet after COVID. I will give them grace for this. I hope they are able to build more partnerships with the community and display a larger range of exhibits.

The Center is named in honor of Bruce R. Watkins, a political and social activist. Watkins was…read morefueled by the need to recognize and preserve the varied contributions African-Americans made to the development of Kansas City. The center opened in December 1989 as the outgrowth of Watkins' efforts.

One of the best single subject museums we've ever visited (and we've visited a lot). A class act…read more So well done. When you drive up there is the museum portion, which includes multiple rooms and a theater with a video. Of course, also a gift shop with great items to take home. You walk outside, with a provided information sheet, and can visit the James homestead which is just a few steps away via a charming country path surrounded by trees and pastureland. Very picturesque and full of history. The dedicated folks working here, both paid and volunteer, are helpful and warmly friendly. Likely you will run into someone with actual family history connected to the James' family. The amount of memorabilia (Jesse James' saddle! A piece of his original gravestone, etc.) they have managed to collect demonstrates not only their diligence but also the deep love of the legend that exists in the area.

Craig Hockenberry…read more This stop was like stepping into my childhood! My dad talked about Jesse James around camp fires and night time stories. I always had a interested in him and Frank and the Younger Brothers. The staff was amazing and the price was low. I also visited his final resting place CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

Bring your air buds to listen (respectfully) to the narrative on the QR codes throughout the place…read more Nice little museum

Visiting KC from NY primarily to go to National WW I museum. Stumbled upon this museum. Excellent!…read moreHad to go through background check to enter fort property, but worth it. Totally recommend.

In 1952 residents living in the northland area referred to as Linden, decided to incorporate to…read morefend off the city of Kansas City which had started to annex land north of the river 2 years prior. Thus the city of Gladstone born - the metro's most generic, boring and artificial suburb. Recently city leaders realizing that since they are completely surrounded by KC and have no where to grow, started working on reasons for people to want to live in or visit the city named after a telephone prefix. Gladstone now has a new glossy fake downtown and The Atkins - Johnson Farm and Museum; the city's only museum or cultural attraction. A large plot of land on Gladstone's eastern edge has been turned into a heritage area which encompasses the preserved homestead built in the 1840s. The house can be toured and there are also out buildings, a community garden, picnic areas and a concrete walking trail that leads to The Big Shoal historic cemetery. It is hard to believe once you are on the property that you are in still in Gladstone and not many miles away in the rural countryside. Is this a destination worthy of driving across the metro to see? Probably not. There are many types of these preservation type projects around, but it does seem to be an underutilized space for area residents to learn a little history, hike the countryside or gather for a picnic in the shade of some tall trees on a spacious farmhouse lawn.

Following my visit to the parade of hearts at the Wyandotte County Museum, I took the opportunity…read moreto explore the museum's new exhibits, which featured artifacts from Wyandotte County Kansas .The first exhibit showcased memorabilia from TWA, General Motors, Peters Menu, View, Master, and a nurse's uniform Bethany Hospital, brick from Bethany Hospital, Robert B Hansford photographer studio in Minnesota Avenue. There is a exhibit on Sumner Academy that is very interesting talks about Health. Their name got changed and their color of their uniforms and this talks about the students in the staff. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM the museum is free

During my staycation week, I've committed myself to visit a few local attractions that I have…read moreoverlooked during the past few decades. Today I ventured out to Bonner Springs to see the Wyandotte County Museum. I was very impressed with the collection and presentation. The west wing is entirely devoted to indigenous culture and artifacts from the region. This is probably the finest collection in the area; at least that I have seen, with Wyandotte, Shawnee and Delaware tribes being the most prominent. The east wing contains displays and relics from the more modern era of WyCo. Hispanic baseball and KCKFD were the two most prominent, but dozens more displays of neighborhoods, industry, schools, the wars, the floods.... Located next to "Sandstone" amphitheater in a beautiful park, it is well worth a visit for anyone with even a small interest in history; and it's free!

Thank you for this piece of history! My kids were fascinated by everything. I appreciate the work…read morein keeping it all up.

This is a lovely location and it was completely empty and deserted so I had the spot to myself on a…read moreTuesday morning. It's not staffed, at least not that I can see. There are no amenities, so be sure to bring your own beverages or snacks if you will need them. There is something on their website that suggests that this spot is accessible, implying handicap accessible. This is probably an optimistic assessment. From the parking lot to get to the long driveway to get to the buildings, you have to navigate a curb immediately. The driveway is all rough gravel, so it's maybe 150 meters to get from the parking lot to the buildings, and then the walkway between all the buildings is also gravel covered. So it may accommodate a rugged wheelchair, but I tried to push a wheelchair with smaller wheels and it was completely impossible, so I had to abandon the trip. I returned on my own a few days later. The buildings are lovely and quaint, and I can see it being a very interesting visit on a day when the buildings are open and there are people in period dress. It's free on the empty days and I seem to remember there is something like a $5 charge on the event days.

Satchel Paige Stadium is the new home of The Kansas City / Iola Hormigas, the first minor league…read moreteam to call the missouri side of the metro home since the 1950's! I attended their 2nd ever home game here this afternoon. The stadium is old and quaint, so don't expect a lot of modern amenities. The bleachers are covered so shade and rain protection are assured. Tickets are $10 card only and parking is free; and a small snack bar has basics. The stadium is surrounded by grass and trees, and provides great vantage points to witness professional baseball up close and personal. There was only about 50 people in attendance for this 2000 seat stadium, so I moved around a bit, but enjoyed sitting right under the press box behind home plate, so I could hear the radio broadcasters. The foul balls bouncing off the metal roof above us provided great sound effects and watching dug-out players retrieve foul balls from the first base side woods reminded me this ain't the big leagues. An afternoon of novelty, true sportsmanship, and visiting a piece of Kansas City history made for a memorable visit. I would love to go back.

KC got a major upgrade with the move of the National Archive to the Union Station complex and…read moredowntown. Now visitors to the metro can view exhibits and do research in a central and convenient location. The building houses a full-fledged research center, but also exhibits from the national archives collection. When we visited, there was a room dedicated to the Kansas-Nebraska Act which set the stage for the Civil War. The actual document was sitting in front of you. The National Archives at Union Station is yet another cultural amenity added downtown in the last few years. Although the exhibits aren't blockbusters by any means they are very well done and make you think. Many feature poignant and interesting stories about the region. The location is a bit hidden and faces away from the street, but is worthy of a trip for any history buff for research or recreation.

Hidden treasure in Kansas City. Have had some great exhibits over recent years. Exhibits have…read moreslowed in last 12 months. They also have occasional events / speakers. Keep hoping they will get back to core history topics as a few events have been a bit political. But again. A great asset for kc.