The greater Kansas City area has been home to many well-known celebrities. From the creator of the world’s most famous mouse to “the people’s President,” some famous folks have called Kansas City home. There are lots of fun sites and exhibits to explore nearby while learning more about Kansas City’s illustrious past.
Let’s start with perhaps our most famous former citizen, Walt Disney, who lived in Kansas City from 1911 until he left for Hollywood in 1923. As a fledgling cartoonist, Disney and his partners established Laugh-O-Gram Studio in 1922, located at 1127 E. 31st St. in Kansas City, Missouri. As the legend goes, it was in this building that Disney first encountered his inspiration for the beloved children’s character, Mickey Mouse. While working at the studio, Disney adopted a pet mouse who was later immortalized by the cartoonist in his first successful animated short film, Steamboat Willie. Disney at first wanted to name his new character Mortimer Mouse, but thankfully his wife, Lillian, suggested Mickey was more endearing. Interesting fact: Did you know that Disney voiced the character of Mickey Mouse from his inception in 1928 until 1947? Today, the nonprofit organization Thank You Walt Disney is raising funds to restore the historic building that once housed the Laugh-O-Gram Studio. Plans include turning the building into a museum with a movie theater and an education center. The Disney family pledged $460,000 in matching funds to help with the restoration and transformation. If you are interested in donating to make this dream a reality, visit ThankYouWaltDisney.org.
For Disney fans near and far, Kansas City will be one of the host cities of the traveling exhibit “Disney100: The Exhibition,” starting May 24 at Union Station. “Our leadership team has worked tirelessly over the last three years to ensure we were able to bring Walt and his story back to Kansas City, where his animation career began,” George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station, said. “When we heard the Walt Disney Company was creating an exhibition celebrating its 100th anniversary, we knew we had to bring it here—to Kansas City—where the roots of Walt Disney run deep.” Within “Disney100: The Exhibition,” guests will encounter some of their favorite Disney stories as they journey through 10 imaginatively themed galleries showcasing “crown jewels” from some beloved films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), the live-action Cinderella (2015), Encanto (2021) and many more. The exhibition features more than 14 interactive installations and hundreds of items including ones from some of the most recent additions of the Disney family—Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel. “Guests will step into ‘Disney100: The Exhibition’ and experience 100 years of Disney history like never before,” said Becky Cline, director, Walt Disney Archives. “We are excited to bring the tour to Kansas City—a place that was instrumental in Walt’s life. It was here where he forged his storytelling skills and his creative passion.” Tickets to “Disney100: The Exhibition” can be purchased at UnionStation.org.
Another famous Kansas Citian was none other than the United States of America’s 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. A longtime resident of Independence, Missouri, President Truman had a home at 219 N. Delaware St. that he and his wife, Bess, called “the center of the world.” During retreats from Washington, the two would return to Independence for a short time to live a more simple life and, after his presidency, returned again to resume private life. After his death, Bess gave the home to the National Park Service to preserve and protect it and to educate future Americans. Visitors today can explore his home and the family farm grounds, as well as several other Truman family homes in the neighborhood, including the Noland Home across the street and Truman’s boyhood home nearby.
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Union Station
A place for great adventure. Where Kansas City Connects. All of these phrases – and more – are regularly used to describe Union Station. Visitors of all ages, from all places and for all reasons tie Union Station to special and magical moments.
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Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
One of 15 presidential libraries, visitors are able to experience engaging exhibits and programs, the library aspires to reach a broad and diverse audience in a continuous effort to keep President Truman’s life and legacy alive.
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Truman Farm Home
Built in 1894, this was Harry Truman’s childhood residence from 1906 to 1917. This site is only open seasonally with limited hours. Be sure to call ahead.
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Truman Home
The Truman Home offers a glimpse at the personal life of the 33rd President of the United States. Beautiful in its uncluttered commonness, the Truman Home showcases the simple life Truman and his wife Bess.
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Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
Tour the birthplace and childhood home of Kansas’ famous female aviator. Atchison tells the legend of Amelia and preserves her story.
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Courtesy Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
Journey through Amelia Earhart’s adventurous life as a trailblazing aviator who defied the odds to pursue her dreams!
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Amelia Earhart Earthworks
178620 274th Rd., Warnock Lake, Atchison, KansasKansas artist Stan Herd designed the one-acre portrait portraying Earhart in agriculture in her hometown. The portrait is located on a hillside overlooking Warnock Lake and is composed of permanent plantings, stone and other natural materials.
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Thomas Hart Benton Home
Thomas Hart Benton was an American muralist/painter from Missouri. He lived with his family in this house from 1939-1975. Exhibits showcase his artwork.
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Joe Bastelli-A Moment In Time P
Bingham-Waggoner Estate
This 1855 museum depicts the history of George Caleb Bingham, one of Missouri’s most famous artists and politicians, and the mansion in which he lived.
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is Kansas City’s favorite free attraction, as voted by readers of KC Parent Magazine! Discover masterpieces in the galleries, spend quality time together at a festival or drop in for a weekend art activity. Classes...
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
The museum is dedicated to the history of Negro Leagues Baseball with interactive exhibits for all ages.
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David Tjiptogarsono
Design Ranch: Truman Library photo shoot. New renovation of 30 million USD.
While in Independence, a trip to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is a must. In the summer of 2021, the Truman Library reopened after a major renovation and upgrade. The focus of the updated museum is on a cinematic immersion into U.S. and world history. Tru History is a sound-and-light theater production that relates some of the most dramatic chapters of WWII and Cold War history in a new and exciting medium. Museum exhibitions also include more than 230 artifacts and hundreds of documents, letters and facsimiles. Other features include a 14-foot interactive globe, a role-playing Cold War game and exhibits on Truman’s family life and legacy. Before his death, Truman is quoted as saying, “I hope to be remembered as the people’s President.” Be sure to check the Truman house and Library websites before planning your visit for the most up-to-date hours and admission information. Pro-tip: Be sure to purchase tickets for the Truman Home at the Visitors Center—the park ranger will then walk over with your group for the tour.
The centerpiece of the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, is "Muriel" — the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft. Named after Earhart's younger sister, Muriel is identical to the plane Earhart flew on her final.
About an hour outside Kansas City is Atchison, Kansas, birthplace of the legendary Amelia Earhart. Although this famous pilot lived and traveled all over the United States, she always considered Atchison her home. An easy drive from the metro brings fans to Earhart’s childhood home at 223 North Ter. in Atchison, or visitors can discover more about her life and aviation legacy at the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, located at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport. Completed in April of last year, the Hangar Museum’s main attraction is the last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, which is identical to the aircraft Earhart was piloting when she so tragically and mysteriously disappeared on July 7, 1937. Earhart was attempting to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe but disappeared on one of the final legs of her flight, along with her navigator Fred Noonan. It is presumed that they crashed somewhere in the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum also boasts 14 interactive, immersive STEM exhibits that take visitors on a fascinating journey through her life and accomplishments.
Other Kansas City celebrities include Thomas Hart Benton, the prolific regionalist painter and muralist. You can see many of his works at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, as well as works by George Caleb Bingham, another regional painter known as “the Missouri artist.” His family’s home, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, is another museum in Independence, Missouri, to put on the must-visit list. Buck O’Neil, another beloved Kansas City resident, played and managed for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League. You can learn more about his life and legacy, as well as that of Satchel Paige, a baseball great who played in KC, at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at 18th & Vine in the Jazz District. O’Neil was a pivotal player in the establishment of this museum, which chronicles the rich history of the Monarchs and the Negro Leagues.
Margaret Bristow is a KC native with a love for local history.