Kansas City Museum
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall is a small museum
in the historic Northeast Neighborhood in Kansas City
, Missouri
, United States
. Also known as the R.A. Long House, the 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) plot consists of Corinthian Hall and its outbuildings, most of which have been renovated to contain various displays concerning local area history
and natural science
s, a 50-seat planetarium
, and a 1910-style soda fountain
that serves up phosphates and ice cream.
Named for its six Corinthian columns, the estate was also known as the "Palace on Gladstone Boulevard". Built in 1908 by Robert A. Long
, for an estimated $1 million, and designed by architect Henry Hoit of Hoit, Price and Barnes
, this Beaux-Arts style 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) mansion served as the residence for the Long family until R.A. Long's death in 1934. The estate was donated to the Kansas City Museum Association in 1939 by the Longs' daughters and was opened to the public in 1940.
While it was a residence, the mansion contained a myriad of closets and rooms filled with ornate tapestries
, painting
s, and antique furniture
. However, the building was ill-equipped to house a museum, and much renovation was required to consolidate the smaller rooms into larger ones with space enough for exhibits. Though these changes have lessened the value of the building as a "historic house
", during its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s it was a pioneer of natural science, housing hundreds of stuffed animals in lifelike diorama
s as well as offering various presentations and classes in taxidermy
. Over the years the majority of this collection was handed over to larger establishments more suited to the upkeep of the animals.
In 1948, the museum association was deeded to the City of Kansas City. In 2005 this ownership would, in turn, be merged with Union Station Kansas City Inc., the same organization that maintains Kansas City's Union Station, where it remains today, while the city retained ownership of the buildings. The primary buildings of the museum—the residence and carriage house—closed for major renovations in January 2008, with a possible completion date of 2010. However, as of December 2009, completion is stated as three to five years away.
Shortly after the donation of Corinthian Hall, five women formed the Women’s Advisory Committee, the precursor to the Friends of the Kansas City Museum. The Women’s Advisory Committee spearheaded fundraising and the administration of the museum during its establishment, and were absorbed into the Kansas City Museum Association in 1941.
Today, the Friends of Kansas City Museum continues to be a vital part of the operations of the Kansas City Museum, and maintains its own website.
Because of the disruption, all the museum’s collections have temporarily been removed to a safe storage facility, until the completion of restoration efforts. City regulations require that the interior of these buildings be closed during the restoration.
The Visitor Center and the StoryTarium (formerly the Planetarium) are open throughout the restoration, and Corinthian Hall and the Carriage House are open for limited group tours. In addition, an outdoor panel exhibit on the perimeter of the museum grounds provides visitors with accessible walking tours and educational information.
While visitor services on the site have been curtailed, appropriate public programming still goes on. This has led the Kansas City Museum to investigate and consider new program formats, multiple venues, and even outreach programming within the metro community. Ongoing activities aim to fulfill the museum’s mission, maintain a positive public image, and maintain high public awareness of the Kansas City Museum and Corinthian Hall.
This process began in 1996 when the first important architectural survey of Corinthian Hall was conducted by Claybaugh Preservation Architecture. The survey took account of the effects of age and change on the condition of the house and outbuildings, and explored the possibilities of renovation. In 2005-2006, the Kansas City government funded repairs to the roof and masonry of the residence, and other, selective repairs.
Museum offices have been relocated from the mansion itself to the gatehouse and lodge, and additional museum programs will be relocated to the Conservatory and Hammer Hall.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
in the historic Northeast Neighborhood in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Also known as the R.A. Long House, the 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) plot consists of Corinthian Hall and its outbuildings, most of which have been renovated to contain various displays concerning local area history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and natural science
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
s, a 50-seat planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
, and a 1910-style soda fountain
Soda fountain
A soda fountain is a device that dispenses carbonated drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores...
that serves up phosphates and ice cream.
Named for its six Corinthian columns, the estate was also known as the "Palace on Gladstone Boulevard". Built in 1908 by Robert A. Long
Robert A. Long
Robert Alexander Long was a lumber baron, developer, investor, newspaper owner, millionaire, and philanthropist. He lived most of his life in Kansas City, Missouri and founded the city of Longview, Washington and the town of Longville, Louisiana....
, for an estimated $1 million, and designed by architect Henry Hoit of Hoit, Price and Barnes
Hoit, Price and Barnes
Hoit, Price and Barnes was an architect firm in Kansas City, Missouri that built several landmark buildings there.The firm was particularly noted for its Art Deco style which has defined the Kansas City skyline for many years including two of the city's biggest buildings the Kansas City Power and...
, this Beaux-Arts style 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) mansion served as the residence for the Long family until R.A. Long's death in 1934. The estate was donated to the Kansas City Museum Association in 1939 by the Longs' daughters and was opened to the public in 1940.
While it was a residence, the mansion contained a myriad of closets and rooms filled with ornate tapestries
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
, painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s, and antique furniture
Antique furniture
Antique furniture is the term for collectible interior furnishings of considerable age. Often its age, rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features makes a piece of furniture desirable as a collectors' item, and thus termed an "antique"....
. However, the building was ill-equipped to house a museum, and much renovation was required to consolidate the smaller rooms into larger ones with space enough for exhibits. Though these changes have lessened the value of the building as a "historic house
Historic house
A historic house can be a stately home, the birthplace of a famous person, or a house with an interesting history or architecture.- Background :...
", during its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s it was a pioneer of natural science, housing hundreds of stuffed animals in lifelike diorama
Diorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
s as well as offering various presentations and classes in taxidermy
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...
. Over the years the majority of this collection was handed over to larger establishments more suited to the upkeep of the animals.
In 1948, the museum association was deeded to the City of Kansas City. In 2005 this ownership would, in turn, be merged with Union Station Kansas City Inc., the same organization that maintains Kansas City's Union Station, where it remains today, while the city retained ownership of the buildings. The primary buildings of the museum—the residence and carriage house—closed for major renovations in January 2008, with a possible completion date of 2010. However, as of December 2009, completion is stated as three to five years away.
The Friends of Kansas City Museum
The Friends of Kansas City Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers committed to promoting the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall. According to the Friends website, their mission is “to be a dynamic and vital partner in building the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall into a world class museum with inspiring exhibits that draws people here to learn about our city’s rich history.” The group provides financial support and volunteer manpower.Shortly after the donation of Corinthian Hall, five women formed the Women’s Advisory Committee, the precursor to the Friends of the Kansas City Museum. The Women’s Advisory Committee spearheaded fundraising and the administration of the museum during its establishment, and were absorbed into the Kansas City Museum Association in 1941.
Today, the Friends of Kansas City Museum continues to be a vital part of the operations of the Kansas City Museum, and maintains its own website.
Renovations
The Kansas City Museum is undergoing an extensive renovation and restoration. The replacement of all windows and doors in the residence and carriage house, as well as efforts to reduce lead and asbestos inside Corinthian Hall, requires access to interior and exterior walls.Because of the disruption, all the museum’s collections have temporarily been removed to a safe storage facility, until the completion of restoration efforts. City regulations require that the interior of these buildings be closed during the restoration.
The Visitor Center and the StoryTarium (formerly the Planetarium) are open throughout the restoration, and Corinthian Hall and the Carriage House are open for limited group tours. In addition, an outdoor panel exhibit on the perimeter of the museum grounds provides visitors with accessible walking tours and educational information.
While visitor services on the site have been curtailed, appropriate public programming still goes on. This has led the Kansas City Museum to investigate and consider new program formats, multiple venues, and even outreach programming within the metro community. Ongoing activities aim to fulfill the museum’s mission, maintain a positive public image, and maintain high public awareness of the Kansas City Museum and Corinthian Hall.
This process began in 1996 when the first important architectural survey of Corinthian Hall was conducted by Claybaugh Preservation Architecture. The survey took account of the effects of age and change on the condition of the house and outbuildings, and explored the possibilities of renovation. In 2005-2006, the Kansas City government funded repairs to the roof and masonry of the residence, and other, selective repairs.
Museum offices have been relocated from the mansion itself to the gatehouse and lodge, and additional museum programs will be relocated to the Conservatory and Hammer Hall.