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The Culture

The 18th & Vine District is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and community, home to iconic landmarks that celebrate Black excellence in music, art, sports, and more. From the legendary Mutual Musicians Foundation and the swinging Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum, to the powerful stories housed in the Black Archives of Mid-America and the historic Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, each site tells a unique story of perseverance and creativity. With spaces like Parade Park, the historic Crispus Attucks School Building—now home to the Zhou Brothers Art Center—and the iconic City Workhouse Castle, the district is a living testament to a rich heritage that continues to inspire future generations.

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American Jazz Museum
www.americanjazzmuseum.org
1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The American Jazz Museum, located in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District in Kansas City, Missouri, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of jazz, a genre deeply rooted in African American history. Opened in 1997, the museum honors legendary figures like Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong, all of whom helped shape jazz into a global cultural force.​

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Negro League Baseball Museum
www.nlbm.com
1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, located in Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine District, is a tribute to the rich history and lasting legacy of African American baseball players. Founded in 1990, the museum celebrates the formation of the Negro Leagues in 1920 and honors trailblazers like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson, who played in these leagues during an era of racial segregation in professional sports.

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Black Archives of Mid-America
blackarchives.org
1722 E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Black Archives of Mid-America is a vital institution dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in the Midwest. Established in 1974, the archives house a vast collection of photographs, manuscripts, oral histories, and artifacts that document the Black experience, from the era of slavery to the present day.

Serving as a research center and cultural hub, the Black Archives highlight pivotal moments in the region's history.

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Mutual Musicians Foundation
www.themutualmusiciansfoundation.com
1821 Highland Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Mutual Musicians Foundation is one of the most significant landmarks in American music history. Established in 1917 as the headquarters for the Colored Musicians Union Local 627, the foundation became a vital gathering place for Black musicians during the height of Kansas City’s jazz scene in the 1920s and 1930s. Legends like Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Bennie Moten frequented the foundation, using it as a rehearsal space and social club. Known for its legendary late-night jam sessions, the foundation was instrumental in shaping the sound of jazz.

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Gem Theater
www.americanjazzmuseum.org/gem-theater
1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Gem Theater is an iconic cultural landmark that has played a central role in the city’s African American entertainment history. Originally built in 1912 as a movie house for Black audiences during segregation, the Gem became a hub for the community, showcasing films, live performances, and later jazz and blues concerts.

Restored and reopened in 1997 as part of the revitalization of 18th & Vine, the Gem Theater now serves as a modern performing arts center.

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Zhou B. Art Center
www.zhoubartcenterkc.com
1801 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Zhou B. Art Center  is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to contemporary art. Opened as an extension of the original Chicago location, the center was founded by the internationally renowned Zhou Brothers and offers a platform for local, national, and international artists to showcase their work.Housed in the former Crispus Attucks School building, the center occupies a space steeped in African American history. Attucks School, established in 1905, served the Black community during segregation and became a symbol of resilience and educational progress in Kansas City.

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The Blue Room
www.americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room
1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Blue Room is a renowned jazz club that honors the legacy of the city's rich musical heritage. Part of the American Jazz Museum, the Blue Room offers live performances that celebrate both legendary and contemporary jazz musicians, continuing the district’s tradition as a global center for jazz. The club is named after a famous venue within the former Street’s Hotel, a key gathering spot for African American musicians and travelers during segregation. Street’s Hotel, located near the Blue Room, was a vital hub in the 1930s and 1940s, providing lodging for Black artists like Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington.

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Zodiac Motorcycle Club
aahtkc.org/james-crews-post-station
1825 Vine St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Zodiac Motorcycle Club, established in 1959 is one of the oldest African American motorcycle clubs in the country. Known for its strong sense of brotherhood and community involvement, the Zodiac Motorcycle Club has played a significant role in the social fabric of Kansas City's Black community fostering a positive image of motorcycling culture. The club’s headquarters is located in a historic building that once housed the James Crews Post Office. Named after James Crews, a pioneering African American postal worker, the post office was an important site for Black postal employees in the city during a time when many institutions were still segregated. 

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Vine Street Studio
aahtkc.org/firestationno11
2033 Vine St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Vine Street Studio is a vibrant space for artistic expression and cultural preservation. The studio, known for showcasing local and national artists, plays a key role in the creative revival of this iconic neighborhood, which has long been a hub for African American culture, music, and art. The building housing Vine Street Studio was once Fire Station #11, a significant site in Kansas City’s history. Built in the early 1900s, Fire Station #11 was one of the first firehouses staffed by African American firefighters, serving the predominantly Black neighborhoods of the area during segregation. In 1973, Fire Station #11 was closed due to a citywide reorganization of fire services.

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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
kcfaa.org
1714 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the second home to the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, with its main company based in New York. Founded in 1984, KCFAA brings world-class performances, educational programs, and community outreach to Kansas City. KCFAA is deeply connected to the rich cultural heritage of the 18th & Vine District. Through dance classes, workshops, and special events, KCFAA inspires and empowers individuals of all ages to experience the transformative power of dance while celebrating the vibrant legacy of 18th & Vine.

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Parade Park
kcparks.org/places/the-parade-park/
1600 John "Buck" O'Neil Way, Kansas City, MO 64108

Parade Park Homes is a historic cooperative housing community located in the heart of Kansas City's 18th & Vine District. Established in 1964, it was one of the first Black-owned housing cooperatives in the country, created to provide affordable, quality housing for African American families during a time of segregation and limited housing options. With a strong sense of community, Parade Park Homes continues to offer residents an affordable living option while being part of a culturally rich and historic neighborhood that celebrates Black heritage, jazz, and the arts.

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Urban Youth Academy
www.mlb.com/royals/academy
1622 E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy opened in 2018 as a premier facility dedicated to providing free baseball, softball, and educational programs for youth. Established in partnership with Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals, and local community leaders, the academy focuses on promoting diversity in sports and fostering academic success, leadership, and teamwork. Adjacent to Parade Park, a community cornerstone in Kansas City since the early 20th century, the academy shares its space with this historically significant green area, which has long been a gathering place for local residents. The Urban Youth Academy offers future generations opportunities to grow both athletically and culturally.

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Workhouse Castle
shorturl.at/zvVAo
2001 Vine St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Vine Street Workhouse, popularly known as the "Workhouse Castle," was constructed in 1897 by architects A. Wallace Love and James Oliver Hog in the Romanesque Revival style using yellow limestone quarried by the prisoners themselves. Inmates, mostly vagrants and petty criminals, were required to labor on public works projects, such as road construction, to repay their debts to society. The workhouse ceased operations in 1927, and the building later fell into abandonment by the 1970s. Over time, the structure deteriorated, yet its unique architectural charm has kept it a significant symbol of Kansas City's history. Today, the Workhouse Castle is the focus of revitalization efforts, aiming to preserve its legacy while repurposing the site for future community use.

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Gregg/Klice Community Center
kcparks.org/places/greggklice-community-center/
1600 E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Gregg/Klice Community Center has been a cornerstone for recreational and community activities since 1955. Originally named the Gregg Center, it served the surrounding housing communities with programs promoting health, fitness, and social engagement during a pivotal time of racial segregation. The center was named in honor of John H. Gregg, a prominent local educator and civil rights leader. In 1996, the original building was replaced by the current Gregg/Klice Community Center to also commemorate Arrington “Bubble” Klice, a respected athlete, coach, and activist who worked tirelessly to uplift the city's youth. The center further cements its role in the community’s fight for equal access to resources and recreation.

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2000 Vine
www.2000vine.com

2000 Vine Street
Kansas City, MO 64108

The Public Works Building, located in the historic 18th & Vine District, is a significant architectural landmark constructed between 1872 and 1878. Originally comprising two stone buildings, it served as the headquarters for the city's water and street departments for nearly a century. Over time, these departments evolved into the modern divisions of public works and parks and recreation. The building at 2000 Vine officially ceased operations in 1978, marking the end of its role in municipal services. For the next four decades, it remained unoccupied, gradually falling into disrepair. Despite its neglect, the Public Works Building stands as a testament to Kansas City's growth and infrastructure development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The reused structure is currently home to Missouri's first Black-owned brewery, an art studio and tattoo parlor. 

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Horace Peterson, III Visitor Center
aahtkc.org/horace-m-peterson-iii
1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Horace M. Peterson III Visitors Center is a vital cultural hub that celebrates the rich African American heritage of the area. Named in honor of Horace Peterson, local historian and community leader who founded the Black Archives of Mid-America, the center is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Black life, culture, and achievements in Kansas City. A key feature of the center is the powerful documentary film, "A People’s Journey." This moving film introduces visitors to the everyday heroes of Kansas City’s 18th & Vine neighborhood, showcasing their profound social, cultural, and economic contributions. Through their stories, the film highlights how these local figures shaped not only the history of Kansas City but also influenced the entire nation. 

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Boone Theater
www.boonetheaterkc.com
1701 East 18th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108

The Boone Theater, originally opened as The New Rialto Theater*in 1924, was part of a vibrant network of venues. In 1929, it was renamed the Boone Theater in honor of John W. “Blind” Boone, a renowned Black composer, pianist, and prodigy from Missouri who passed away in 1927. Born during the Civil War in 1864, Boone overcame significant challenges, including blindness, poverty, and racism, to become a nationally recognized composer and musician, greatly influencing the development of Kansas City jazz. In the early 1940s, the theater transitioned into the Scott Theater, a venue that hosted live performances, food, drinks, and movies, often booking acts through the Orpheum Circuit. By the 1950s, the building was converted into a National Guard Armory and became home to the all-Black 242nd Engineering Battalion. The site became known locally as the Armory Building. Today, the Boone Theater is part of an ongoing restoration effort in the District.

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The Lincoln Building, built in 1921 for J.H. Huppe, owner of the Lincoln Furniture Company, stands as a historic landmark in Kansas City's 18th & Vine District. Originally, it housed the Furniture Company, along with other Black-owned businesses such as Matlaw’s Men’s Furnishing and Hiram’s Cafe. The building also served as office space for prominent Black professionals, including doctors, lawyers, and dentists, offering a crucial hub for African American commerce during segregation. In 1925, the third floor was home to the Lincoln Dance Hall, while by 1945, it housed the Monarch Social Club. In 1952, Thurgood Marshall used offices in the Lincoln Building while arguing the desegregation case of the Swope Park Swimming Pool. The building also hosted the offices of the famed Kansas City Monarchs baseball team in the 1940s.. In 1979, the Black Economic Union purchased and restored the Lincoln Building, helping it retain its historical significance as a space for Black businesses and cultural activities. 

18th & Vine Lives Logo reg and blue ombre neon sign in script set about the cornerstone of the district, the historic Lincoln Building
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