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| DESCRIPTION: Part of the Museums on 18th & Vine complex, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) recreates the look, sounds and feel of the game's storied past. Video presentations and memorabilia in the 10,000 square-foot multimedia exhibit chronicle the history and heroes of the leagues from their origin after the Civil War to their demise in the 1960s. The federal government recently designated the museum America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. |
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| ADDRESS: 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo. |
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| LOCATION: In the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. |
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| PHONE: 816-221-1920 |
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| WEB SITE: www.nlbm.com |
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HIGHLIGHTS:
- The museum is laid out as a timeline of the Negro Leagues and American history. Exhibits include hundreds of photographs, historical artifacts and several interactive computer stations.
- As the centerpiece of the NLBM, the Coors Field of Legends features 10 life-sized bronze sculptures of Negro Leagues greats positioned on a mock baseball diamond as if they were playing a game.
- A documentary film narrated by actor James Earl Jones tells the story of the leagues with vintage film footage.
- The Hall of Fame Lockers pay tribute to the Nego Leaguers who have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- The museum store features officially-licensed Negro Leagues merchandise.
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| HOURS: Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun. Closed Mon. |
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| ADMISSION: Adults $8 and children (under 12) $3. Children under 5 are free. Combo pass to NLBM and the American Jazz Museum: Adults $10 and children (under 12) $5. Admission to the Horace M. Peterson III Visitor Center and the Changing Gallery is free of charge. |
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| ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: Collectively, the Museums at 18th & Vine average approximately 300,000 people annually. |
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| HISTORY: The Negro Leagues were established in 1920 by Andrew "Rube" Foster in a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA. A site on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is located two blocks from the Museums at 18th & Vine. First functioning out of a one-room office, the NLBM eventually joined the American Jazz Museum in 1997 in a $20 million facility housing both entities. |
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| WHERE TO GET LUNCH: The original Arthur Bryant's Barbecue (1727 Brooklyn Ave.) is a few blocks to the east. |
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| WHAT'S NEARBY: In addition to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Museums on 18th & Vine complex also houses the American Jazz Museum, the Blue Room jazz club, the Horace M. Peterson III Visitor Center and the Changing Gallery. |
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| WHAT'S NEW: The NLBM broke ground in early 2006 on a $15 million historical preservation and expansion project to restore the Paseo YMCA and convert the national landmark into the John "Buck" O'Neil Education and Research Center. |
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| GROUP TOURS: Reservations are encouraged for groups of 25 or more. Reservations include a special introduction by museum staff and, if time permits, guided tour services. Contact the museum for more information. |
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DRIVING THERE: From the north: Take I-35 S to I-70 E. Take The Paseo exit and travel south. Turn left onto John "Buck" O'Neil Way. Turn right onto Vine Street and then left onto 18th Street. On the left you will see the Museums at 18th & Vine marquee.
From the south: Take US-71 N. Take The Paseo exit and turn right. Take another right onto 18th Street. On the right you will see the Museums at 18th & Vine marquee.
From the west: Take I-70 E into Kansas City. Keep left to take I-670 E/I-70 ALT E through Downtown. Take The Paseo exit. Turn right onto The Paseo. Turn left onto John "Buck" O'Neil Way and then a right onto Vine Street. Finally, turn left onto 18th Street. On the left you will see the Museums at 18th & Vine marquee.
From the east: Take I-70 W towards Kansas City. Take Exit 4B to 18th Street. Turn left onto 18th Street and continue several blocks. On the left you will see the Museums at 18th & Vine marquee.
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| PARKING: Public parking is available on either side of 18th Street, on the south side of "Buck" O'Neil Way or in public parking lots near the Gregg Community Center (18th and Woodland). |
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| PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Bob Kendrick, director of marketing, at 816-221-1920 or bkendrick@nlbm.com. |
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