The Kansas City Museum is officially reopening Corinthian Hall to the public today after a 15-year planning + renovation process. The historic property has been under construction since 2017 — resulting in a $22 million upgrade.

The backstory

The 5 buildings located on the property were built in 1910 by Robert Alexander Long — a lumber baron from Kentucky. The mansion was named Corinthian Hall because of the Corinthian columns in the front of the home.

When the property first became the museum in 1940, it focused on science, anthropology, history + natural history. A carriage house was converted into a natural history hall with taxidermy animals. The lodge housed administrative offices. A former greenhouse was torn down and replaced with a small space simulation. The conservatory became a planetarium. The walls and ceilings on the east side were torn down to build the museum, whereas the west side was kept intact.

This tapestry remained in the Long family until 2010 | Photo via @kansascitymuseum

What to expect now

1️⃣ Floor 1 focuses on the Long family’s history. Guests will see original items from the home. They may also notice original architecture in addition to renovated aspects best replicating what the home would have looked like. The first floor includes education programs, events, exhibits, and contemporary thematic art installations. It also has a retail store and a cafe with a demonstration kitchen.

2️⃣ Floor 2 includes 5 exhibition galleries that showcase historical materials from the Museum’s permanent collections and items on loan. It also houses a meeting room/education classroom space for school programs, community meetings, and contemporary thematic art installations.

3️⃣ Floor 3 showcases 3 more exhibition galleries, a 42-seat theater for films and videos, a story sharing space, and contemporary thematic art installations. Both the second and third floors focus on a timeline of Kansas City, highlighting people and neighborhoods from the past + present.

The lower level of Corinthian Hall includes a restored billiards room and a new interpretation of the Museum’s former beloved “Soda Fountain” — which will offer a limited food and drink menu with ice cream and phosphates. Guests can view the original elevator, which will eventually house an intimate, candlelit dinner table for 2.

Renovation of the other buildings will begin in Phase 2 + 3 | Photo via @kansascitymuseum

How to visit

🗓️ Reservations are required to visit the museum. You can book a free timed ticket from now through mid-December here.

⏰ The museum is closed Monday-Wednesday. It is open on Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests can also visit the museum on Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

🚗 The museum is located at 3218 Gladstone Blvd. Only street parking is available. You can enter at the south gate off of Gladstone Boulevard, or at the southwest gate off of Walrond Avenue for ADA needs and accommodations. After entering at the southwest gate, guests will find an accessible ramp and elevator lift for access to the front entrance of Corinthian Hall.

💀 The museum will host its first event Sat., Oct. 23 from 6-9 p.m. The 8th Annual Day of the Dead Celebration will explore the history and cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos, complete with live mariachi music by Mariachi Estrella KC and a puppet performance by StoneLion Puppet Theatre.

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