Kansas City Area Archives, Libraries, Historical Societies, and Museums

Archives and Libraries

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum [1]
Information about both the museum and the archives. See also Special Subject Guide: Archival Materials at the Harry S. Truman Library Relating to Kansas City, Missouri.

Johnson County (Kansas) Archives [2]
Public records, photographs, maps, cemetery records and more for Johnson County, Kansas.

Johnson County Public Library [3]
A description of the local history holdings at the Central Resource Library.

Kansas City Area Archival Repositories [4]
A directory of archival and historical sites throughout the metropolitan area.

Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department Archives [5]
A wide-ranging list of materials available for use at the archives.

Kansas State Historical Society [6]
Information and images highlighting Kansas history and collections and services of the Society.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library [7]
Information about the Kansas Collection, online exhibits, postcards, and photographs.

Midwest Genealogy Center [8]
Formerly Genealogy & Local History Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library system in Missouri, the Midwest Genealogy Center, opened June 2008 and is one of the top ten genealogy libraries in the United States.

Missouri State Archives [9]
Exhibits, finding aids to the collections at the Archives, and an email reference service are some of the services available here. Their Missouri History [10] page gives the origin of each county.

National Archives and Records Administration, Central Plains Region [11]
Details the holdings of the repository, services offered to the public, and their hours, among other information.

State Historical Society of Missouri [12]
The site of the "preeminent research facility for the study of the Show Me State's heritage." Includes a list of newspaper microfilm held.

Western Historical Manuscript Collection [13]
A good source of original archival material relating to local history.

Historical Societies

Blue Springs Historical Society [14]
Home page of the Blue Springs Historical Society, containing a searchable database of historical photographs of Blue Springs, Missouri.

Heritage League of Greater Kansas City [15]
The Heritage League of Greater Kansas City is a non-profit organization representing museums and agencies in the Kansas City area dedicated to the preservation of our cultural heritage. Site includes news, programs, and a list of member organizations.

Jackson County Historical Society [16]
Contains information about the Society including its newsletter, archives and museum.

Missouri Archaeological Society [17]
Links to various web sites describing recent archaeological research in Missouri.

Native Sons & Daughters [18]
Since 1932, the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City has been on the forefront of historic advocacy and preservation in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri, area. Its goal, in the words of first President, D. Ralston Spaulding, is to "be a booster organization as well as a society for reminiscence...We intend to link the past with the present and the present with the future."

Neighborhood Network [19]
An online gateway sponsored by the city of Kansas City to the various neighborhood associations in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The R. A. Long Society [20]
Robert A. Long, lumber baron, built Corinthian Hall, now the Kansas City Museum on Gladstone Boulevard, and also Longview Farms in Lee's Summit. The famous Loula Long Combs, queen of the American Royal, was one of his daughters. This site includes a history and photographs of the family and its homes, horses, and carriages.

Raytown Historical Society [21]
Home page of the Raytown Historical Society, including information about historical exhibits and a calendar of events.

Westport Historical Society [22]
Provides details about the society as well as several essays on different aspects of Westport's history.

Museums and Historic Sites

18th & Vine Cultural Center [23]
Information about the various institutions located in the jazz district at 18th and Vine.

American Jazz Museum [24]
Part of the historic 18th and Vine District. Includes links to a calendar of events and rotating exhibition gallery.

Fort Osage [25]
Information about the historic site, and Includes a history of the fort, of the Osage Indians, and the military presence at the fort.

The James Farm and Museum [26]
Former home of Jesse James at 21216 James Farm Road, Kearney, Missouri 64060 (816-628-6065) is now a museum.

Kansas City Museum [27]
The Kansas City history museum located at Corinthian Hall.

National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial [28]
The official site of the World War I monument and museum includes history of the memorial and chronology of the war.

National Frontier Trails Center [29]
Several essays on the history of the westward trails that emanated from Independence, Missouri, where the Center is located.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum [30]
Home page of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a 10,000 square foot facility opened in 1997 to celebrate the history of African-American baseball. Site includes information about the museum, historic player profiles and lists of teams and leagues.

Pony Express National Museum [31]
Modern and interactive exhibits tell the story of the the famous mail service that lasted from April 1860 to October 1861.

Science City at Union Station [32]
Science City, the science museum located at Union Station includes a timeline of the history of Union Station.

Steamboat Arabia Museum [33]
Highlighting the history of and recovery of artifacts from a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856.