Do you provide walking tours or program speakers?
Unfortunately, due to limited staff and the retirement of our devoted volunteers, we don’t have the resources at this time to provide speakers or tours.
However, check out HKC’s Plaza Walking guide available online here: https://www.historickansascity.org/historic/country-club-plaza-walking-guide
There are local tour companies who may provide programs in addition to tours:
- Clio Financial, Library, and Garment Districts of Kansas City Walking Tour: https://theclio.com/tour/2310
- The Jackson County Historical Society introduced free area history walking tours along the KC Streetcar’s City Market, Library District, and Union Station stops. Find full versions at https://voicemap.me/users/jackson-county-historical-society
- Downtown https://voicemap.me/tour/kansas-city/change-without-direction-a-guide-to-downtown-kansas-city
- Historical Buildings Tour (Self Guided), Kansas City https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/historical-buildings-tour-4093.html
- KC Walking Tours: River market, River Market food tour, streetcar tour, 18th and Vine
- Urban Hikes https://urbanhikeskc.com/
- Friends of Scared Structures offers group tours https://fosskc.org/tours
- Kansas City Fountains https://www.kcfountaintours.com/
- Kansas City Segway Tourshttps://www.kansascitysegwaytours.com/
- Johnson County Library has a self-guided driving tour. See their website to download the app
A few links are listed below.
Do you accept donations of old photographs or historical artifacts?
No, we do not maintain an archive. We recommend contacting the Missouri Valley Special Collection, the Jackson County Historical Society, and the Western Historical Manuscript Collection.
I need help researching my house or other historic building. What information do you have?
Historic Kansas City does not maintain an archive. Please contact The Jackson County Historical Society – Phone: (816) 252-7454 or The State Historical Society of Missouri – Phone: (816) 235-1543. You can also research the files of the Historic Preservation Commission at City Hall – Phone: (816) 513-1313.
Is my house on the local register? Do I need permission for updates and repairs?
Historic Kansas City is not the reviewing body for these alterations. Please contact the administrator of the Historic Preservation Commission, a division of City Planning and Development. http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/CityPlanningandDevelopment/OtherServices/HistoricPreservation/index.htm
What groups provide tours of historic homes?
The Kansas City Bungalow Club tours a historic home or commercial building each month. To learn their schedule, go to the “Join” link on their website at www.kcbungalow.org. Many neighborhood associations give annual homes tours in the fall or during the holidays. Also, check our list of historic sites for historic buildings that are open year round.
What funding is available for preservation projects?
Preservation grants are available from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. To check requirements and deadlines, visit: http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/
Missouri offers historic rehabilitation tax credits for both income producing and residential property. For more information about this program, please visit the MO Department of Natural Resources webpage at: https://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/taxcrdts.htm
Kansas also offers historic rehabilitation tax credits for both income producing and residential property. For more information about this program, please visit the KS Historical Society webpage at: http://www.kshs.org/p/tax-credit-basics/14673
Both MO and KS also administer statewide grant programs. For information about grants available for MO projects, visit the MO Department of Natural Resources webpage at: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/grants.htm. For information about grants available for KS projects, visit: http://www.kshs.org/p/preservation-grants-incentives/14613