A KC Museum celebrates 85 years with roll out of slightly new name
“While the change may seem subtle, the transformation it represents is monumental.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Museum of Kansas City (MKC) celebrates its 85th anniversary with a name adjustment and year of special programming.
On May 5, The Kansas City Museum will officially become The Museum of Kansas City.
Originally opened to the public on May 5, 1940, MKC sits inside the former estate of Robert A. Long. Long was a prominent Kansas City figure, an industrialist, businessman, and philanthropist. He founded the Long-Bell Lumber Company and played a key role in the construction of the Liberty Memorial.
The Museum begins its 85th year with a fresh name and new identity.
“We are now The Museum of Kansas City,” announced Museum leadership. “While the change may seem subtle, the transformation it represents is monumental.”
Honoring its legacy as a history museum focused on the city’s past, MKC says it now embraces a broader vision as a city museum—one that uses the humanities to explore the past, present, and future of Kansas City.
The Museum’s new logo, inspired by the loom, symbolizes this evolution. “Like threads woven into a tapestry, the stories we tell come together to reflect the rich and diverse narrative of our city,” said the Museum’s leadership team. “Each thread represents a unique journey, a voice, a perspective—and together, they form the fabric of Kansas City.”
Special Events & Programs Celebrating the 85th Anniversary:
- Saturday, May 3 – The 10th and Final Derby Party Fundraiser
- Monday, May 5 – Launch of Elixir Blend, custom coffee beans for sale in partnership with Marcell Coffee
- Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11 – 85-cent ice cream scoops at Elixir, the Soda Fountain
- Thursday, May 22 – 85th Anniversary Dinner Series: A Historic Exploration of Kansas City Cuisine IV – The 1940s
- Last Sundays, May–August – Sunday Beats featuring DJ Thundercutz
- Sunday, June 29 – Magical Garden Party with StoneLion Puppet Theater
- Second Saturdays, May–September – Pop-Up Yoga with True Love Yoga KC
- Second Fridays, June–September – Summer Concerts on the Lawn
- Saturday, October 18 – 12th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration with Mattie Rhodes Art Center
World’s first museum dedicated to BBQ opening at Crown Center in April
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