![Black Archives of Mid-America - [African American man at a cash register in a Sears department store]. By photographer Thomas J. O'Halloran, 1979. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021637299/](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1697181775623-b2ff00096f87%3Fcrop%3Dentropy%26cs%3Dtinysrgb%26fit%3Dmax%26fm%3Djpg%26ixid%3DM3w3ODc2Nzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMEFyY2hpdmVzJTIwb2YlMjBNaWQtQW1lcmljYXxlbnwwfDB8fHwxNzU4NTMxNzYxfDA%26ixlib%3Drb-4.1.0%26q%3D80%26w%3D1080&w=3840&q=75)
Black Archives of Mid-America
Preserving the rich African American history, art, and culture of Greater Kansas City from the 1920s-1980s. A vital educational resource.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Open hours for exploration
Black Archives of Mid-America
Best Time
Open hours for exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Preserving the rich African American history, art, and culture of Greater Kansas City from the 1920s-1980s. A vital educational resource.
"Essential for understanding American history; a necessary chronicle of the Black experience."
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the rich history without any cost. A truly valuable experience for everyone.
Schedule a Tour 🚶♀️
Enhance your visit with guided insights and deeper understanding of the exhibits.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
African American Experience Exhibits
Chronicles the triumphs and struggles of Black communities in Kansas City from the 1920s-1980s. Essential for understanding local and national history.
House of Hits Exhibit
Celebrates the R&B and hip-hop legacy of Kansas City songwriters and producers. A vibrant showcase of musical talent.
Genealogy Resources
Uncover your family history with the archives' comprehensive genealogy program. Connect with your heritage.
Slave Cabin Recreation
A powerful, immersive exhibit offering a tangible connection to the past and the resilience of enslaved individuals.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Discover Kansas City's Black Heritage
Plan Your Visit to the Archives
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the rich history without any cost. A truly valuable experience for everyone.
Schedule a Tour 🚶♀️
Enhance your visit with guided insights and deeper understanding of the exhibits.
Engage with the Exhibits 🖼️
While mostly reading and pictures, the impactful displays like the slave cabin and soil jars are unforgettable.
Explore 18th & Vine District 🎶
Visit the archives as part of a broader exploration of this historic jazz and cultural hub.
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the rich history without any cost. A truly valuable experience for everyone.
Schedule a Tour 🚶♀️
Enhance your visit with guided insights and deeper understanding of the exhibits.
Engage with the Exhibits 🖼️
While mostly reading and pictures, the impactful displays like the slave cabin and soil jars are unforgettable.
Explore 18th & Vine District 🎶
Visit the archives as part of a broader exploration of this historic jazz and cultural hub.
Research Your Ancestry 📜
Utilize their genealogy program to uncover your family's past and celebrate your heritage.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Black Archives of Mid-America for its crucial role in preserving and presenting the African American experience in Kansas City. Many find the exhibits educational and necessary for a complete understanding of history, with specific displays like the slave cabin and lynching victim soil jars being particularly impactful. Some wish for more physical artifacts to complement the extensive reading and photographic content.
"The Black Archives of Mid America offers an excellent chronicle of the black experience of the Greater Kansas City from approximately 1920's through the 1980's.
Documenting the trials and tribulations as well as the genuine accomplishments of blacks in the Kansas City community. These archives are educational, informative and necessary as there is a strong current to revise history to suit the purposes of a segment of people in this country who sees truth as an obstacle to their agenda.
I recommend the Black Archives of Mid America to anyone who believes that the recording and display of historical events is essential to the understanding of the human experience, no matter the race, creed, color, religion or nationality. Black American history is a part of American history.
We were fortunate to have a person show us around some of exhibits, providing us insights to what was displayed as well as showing her pride in the collection exhibited."
Leon Beasley
"Great museum with lots of information! The staff was friendly. I only wish there were more physical artifacts/recreations though. It was mostly reading and pictures, which is fine but not as engaging (kind of felt similar to being on a website looking through information) The most engaging part was the room with a rebuilt cabin of a woman who had lived as a slave and later as a servant and the jars of soil with the names and locations of lynching victims (seeing those in person is much more impactful than just seeing them online). Maybe if there was a cost for admission, they'd have funds to further develop?"
Jennifer Schuster
"Absolutely amazing. You wouldn't know these stories unless you went looking for them. Thank goodness they're preserved. We have a similar legacy here in Portland Oregon."
John Carter
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Black Archives of Mid-America is located in the historic 18th & Vine district of Kansas City. Public transportation options are available, and parking information can often be found on their official website or by contacting them directly.
Parking availability can vary in the 18th & Vine district. It's advisable to check for nearby public parking lots or street parking regulations before your visit.
Yes, the archives are a key part of the 18th & Vine district's cultural offerings. Many visitors combine a visit with other nearby attractions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to the Black Archives of Mid-America is free, making it an accessible cultural experience for everyone.
The Black Archives of Mid-America is typically open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It's always a good idea to confirm hours directly with the archives before your visit.
Since admission is free, advance booking is generally not required. However, for group tours or special events, it's recommended to inquire about reservations.
The Black Archives frequently hosts special exhibits and events, such as the 'House of Hits' R&B/hip-hop exhibit or celebrations of Black art. Check their website or social media for the latest schedule. 
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Exhibits focus on the African American experience in Greater Kansas City, covering music, art, theater, and education from the 1920s to the 1980s. You'll find a mix of historical documents, photographs, and impactful displays.
Yes, scheduled tours are available and highly recommended for a deeper understanding of the collections and the history presented.
The archives offer educational content that can be valuable for children, particularly the historical narratives and art exhibits. The slave cabin recreation provides a powerful learning opportunity.
Absolutely! The Black Archives offers a comprehensive genealogy program with resources to help you uncover your family history and heritage.
Visitors often highlight the room with the rebuilt slave cabin and the jars of soil naming lynching victims as particularly moving and impactful.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography policies can vary. It's best to check with the staff upon arrival or look for signage regarding photography rules, especially for personal use versus commercial use.
While the focus is on historical preservation, the art exhibits and any special installations often provide visually engaging opportunities for photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider scheduling a tour to make the historical context more accessible and engaging for kids. It's a chance to foster an early appreciation for history and cultural preservation in a free, enriching environment.
📚 History Buffs & Researchers
Researchers will find the genealogy resources particularly valuable for tracing family lines. The impactful displays, like the lynching victim soil jars, offer profound insights for academic study and personal reflection.
🎶 Music Enthusiasts
Given the archives' location in the 18th & Vine district, a visit can be combined with exploring the broader musical heritage of the area, making for a rich cultural immersion.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Preserving the African American Narrative
Visitors often express how the archives provide a necessary counter-narrative to historical revisionism, highlighting the importance of accurate and comprehensive historical records. The exhibits are described as educational, informative, and essential for a complete understanding of American history, emphasizing that Black American history is an integral part of the broader national story.
Beyond historical documents and photographs, the archives feature deeply impactful displays. The recreation of a slave cabin and the poignant collection of soil jars, each representing a lynching victim with their name and location, offer a visceral connection to the past that transcends simple reading. These elements are frequently cited as the most engaging and memorable parts of a visit.
A Hub for Culture and Music
Events like 'The Joy of Black Art' showcase local artists, providing a platform for contemporary creativity alongside historical preservation. These events highlight the ongoing cultural vitality of the community and offer visitors a chance to engage with Black art in its diverse forms.
Furthermore, the archives are positioned within the renowned 18th & Vine district, an area historically synonymous with jazz and African American culture. This location enhances the visitor experience, allowing for a deeper immersion into the rich artistic and musical legacy of Kansas City.
Genealogy and Heritage Exploration
By delving into the archives, visitors can explore the rich tapestry of their community's past, celebrating their heritage and understanding the lineage that has shaped their identity. This aspect of the archives is particularly resonant for those looking to understand their place within the broader narrative of the African American experience.
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