World’s first museum dedicated to BBQ opening at Crown Center in April
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - In fewer than three weeks, the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue will open to the public.
The Museum of BBQ is set to host a grand opening on Saturday, April 12, in the shops at Crown Center (2450 Grand Boulevard, Suite 231).
“The Museum of BBQ is a feast for your senses,” founder Jonathan Bender said in a statement. “Get ready to immerse yourself in the smoke and sizzle of the world of barbecue.”
The museum will feature five installations of meat, rub, wood and fire, smoke and sauce showing guests the process of meat becoming barbecue.
Interactive exhibits and activities will include:
- Identify butcher cuts by putting together the pig puzzle, pose with a butcher’s apron and (plushy) meat, or get tips and tricks at a listening station in the Meat room.
- Continue sensory experience with spice guessing game in the Rub room before checking out different types of smokers and wood in the Wood & Fire room
- Play the smoke ring toss in the Smoke room before you get ‘Lost in the Sauce’ in a room
In the final five installations (Carolinas, Memphis, Bean Pit, Texas, and Kansas City), visitors will “travel across America” to experience the wide world of barbecue variations. Each regional room will offer a host of information about the history, culture, and barbecue style that define a given place.
Photo opportunities include:
- Posing with a championship mustard belt – a nod to the mustard-based sauce featured in central South Carolina – in the Carolinas room before getting ribs tickled with barbecue-themed dad jokes in Memphis.
- Taking a dip in the Bean Pit, before learning how to order brisket in Texas and the legend of burnt ends in Kansas City.
Founder Jonathan Bender says he’s excited ahead of the grand opening to share stories of BBQ from different regions across the county. He says Kansas City is the perfect home for the Museum of BBQ.
“There is such a rich tradition, right when you walk out the door in the morning. I live in Midtown, and you can smell the BBQ some mornings. With that tradition, I thought there was an opportunity to not only tell the stories of Kansas City but expose Kansas City to the other regions that also want to lay claim to having the best BBQ. in the country.”
Bender, a food writer by trade, has judged at the American Royal BBQ competition and became fascinated with people’s stories.
“One of the things I realized is pit masters, butchers, and folks who are BBQ adjacent are incredible storytellers,” said Bender. “The opportunity to create a physical space where people could gather, build community around BBQ, and share some of those stories both culturally and historically felt like such a natural fit in Kansas City. It’s a really joyous way for people to come together to celebrate an American artform.”
Tickets are available online now, with Bender saying it’s been fun seeing how many people have ordered theirs already. He says it really showcases the area’s support.
“It’s the best part of Kansas City,” said Bender. “People joke, but Kansas City really comes out for its own and it is really gratifying. We can’t wait to open either. The idea that people would be able to come in and share with us and celebrate. People have been peeking in over the months we’ve spent building this.”
Tickets for the museum cost $10, plus taxes and fees, and are on sale here. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
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