Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City (must see)

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City stands as a vibrant tribute to the history and legacy of Negro league baseball in America. Established in 1990 in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District, a cultural hub for African-American life in Kansas City during the early 20th century, the museum shares its space with the American Jazz Museum, making it a dual celebration of baseball and jazz.

The NLBM was founded by a dedicated group of former Negro League players, including Kansas City Monarchs outfielder Alfred Surratt, Buck O'Neil, Larry Lester, Phil S. Dixon, and Horace Peterson. Originally starting as a small, single-room office in the Lincoln Building, the museum expanded in 1994 to a 2,000-square-foot space. In 1997, it moved again to a custom-built 10,000-square-foot facility, reflecting the growing interest in preserving the Negro leagues' rich history.

The museum's exhibits guide visitors through Negro league baseball history with photos, memorabilia, and interactive displays. Highlights include lockers with items from legends like Josh Gibson, and the Field of Legends, featuring life-sized statues of 12 icons, including Cool Papa Bell, Buck Leonard, and Satchel Paige. Buck O'Neil is celebrated with a special area showcasing his Presidential Medal of Freedom and a replica statue donated by his family on his 101st birthday.

Despite facing financial struggles, including a near collapse in 2008, the museum rebounded under the leadership of Bob Kendrick, who became President in 2011. By 2012, the NLBM had turned a profit of $300,000, marking its most successful year since 2007. Its success was further recognized in 2019 when the museum received the Gold American Award for Nonprofit Organization of the Year from the American Business Awards.

The NLBM's dedication to storytelling was highlighted in 2013 when an advance screening of "42," the film about Jackie Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs before breaking baseball’s color barrier, was held in Kansas City as a benefit for the museum. The event, attended by actor Harrison Ford, underscored the NLBM's role in not just preserving history but also engaging with the wider cultural narrative of America’s past.