The 18th and Vine historic district was the center for black culture and life in Kansas City from the late 1800's to 1960. Just steps away from the district was the Paseo YMCA which was built as a black YMCA in 1914. It served as a home for baseball players, railroad worker and others in the area. The Negro National League was founded in 1920. By the 1980's the area had become a neglected urban area, but was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. This permanent home for the
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum opened in November 1997.
The American Jazz Museum preserves the history of American Jazz. The museum features exhibits on Charles Parker, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and others. An upcoming exhibit of Ella Fitzgerald is one I plan to attend.
8 comments:
Both must be fascinating and I think the entrance is fantastic!
Two great museums in one location! This is a fantastic entrance to the museums,
This Museum has curb appeal!
Spent an evening here listening to the best jazz I ever heard. An elegantly dressed, very elderly, thin black man walked in with a cane for support. He needed assistance to get up the two steps to the stage. His palsied hands shook uncontrolled, and none of his movements were smooth. I wondered if he could play an instrument at all as uncoordinated as he was. Then he tucked his violin under his chin, and a soon as the bow touched strings all his age fell away. He produced the most astoundingly complex and sophisticated music I'd ever heard. I'm just disappointed that I can't remember his name.
Both those museums sound great!
Hi Regina, could you e-mail me please? Thanks!
I haven't seen another sign like the one with the cut-out characters. Most interesting.
I would love to visit this place!
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