The Historic Kansas City Foundation Speakers Bureau slide shows feature
the history of Kansas City through its unique and varied architecture.
Each program is approximately 30 minutes in length and is suitable for
ages 8 and older. A $35 contribution for each presentation supports
our Outreach Program. To make a reservation for a slide presentations,
please submit this
Speakers Bureau Request Form. If you have a questions, please email us at
Speakers Bureau. We suggest a presentation be scheduled at least two
weeks in advance.
Brief Overview of Kansas City’s
Architectural History: 1926-Present
From the humble log structures at Chouteau’s Landing to
today’s contemporary architecture, Kansas City truly as a rich and
varied history. both the landmark and the commonplace are shown in the
context of Kansas City's economic, social, and political
evolution.
Diary of a Building: The New York
Life
Every building is a historical document with its
own distinct story. This program follows the New York Life Building, at
20 West 9th Street, from its design and construction to its recent
restoration.
Fountains of Kansas City
Kansas city has more fountains than any other city in the world except
Rome. In fact, the city is known to many as the “City of
Fountains.” Get to know more about the history, location and
creators of some of the city’s more famous fountains.
Historic Churches
Join us in an exploration of the history and adaptive reuse of many of
Kansas City’s beautiful church buildings. a diversity of
architectural elements are featured ranging from the Classical revival
Grand Avenue Temple to the contemporary St. Francis Xavier
Church.
A History of Kansas City Through Its
Neighborhoods
Kansas City’s neighborhoods provide a wealth of historical
information as well as a variety of architectural styles. This
presentation traces the movement of the population from the early days of
settlement around the River Market to the 20th Century. Union Hill,
Roanoke, Valentine, Rockhill, Hyde Park and Sunset are some of the
neighborhoods shown.
How Others Saw Us:
Postcards of Kansas City, 1855-1935
Experience a
colorful look at Kansas City's architectural and cultural past through
Mrs. Sam Ray’s unique postcard collection. From Walnut Street in
1872 with its horse drawn streetcars, to The Paseo, known as the
beautiful boulevard; from the Coates House Hotel to Union Station, these
images show how some things change and others remain the same.
Kansas City Art Deco
Kansas City has a significant collection of Art Deco architecture. This
presentation discusses the historical background of the Art Deco
movement as well as surveying numerous local examples of the
architectural style which have claimed national and international
recognition.
Preservation: Past Present and
Future
This presentation features many of the
historic buildings in the Kansas City area and examines how time
affected their appearance today. Comparisons are made between the
building’s original appearance and how it has been
modified.
Saturday Matinee
Remember the
fun of getting all dressed up to go downtown to the movies? Join us in a
nostalgic look at Kansas City's oldest theaters such as The Empire, The
Orpheum and The Royale.
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Programs 
