We stay involved!
Every month we engage with each other and our community.
Changing Lives Beyond Words
Kansas City Athenaeum members and guests visited Literacy KC on November 9 for a guided tour through the learning facility. We donated $10,000 to Literacy KC in 2021 to help support its program with the purchase of new laptops and computer software. This tour raised our awareness of the multiple learning opportunities offered there. Classes and tutoring help improve literacy, math and digital proficiency, plus courses are offered to learn vocational skills. The Literacy KC motto of "Changing Lives Beyond Words" well describes its mission.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Kansas City Athenaeum members and guests visited the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in October. The 90-minute guided tour was impressive with exhibits showcasing memorabilia of President Truman's life from childhood to his careers during the Great Depression and the Pendergast Era, followed by his presidency, and culminating with his retirement years in Independence, Missouri. The exhibits on the challenges he faced during his presidency were especially noteworthy.
Women's History Presentation
Kansas City Athenaeum and Kansas City Public Library co-presented a YouTube program in March 2022, celebrating Women's History Month. The presentation by Dr. Tai S. Edwards was based on research in compiling her book, Osage Women and Empire. The Osage cosmology defined men and women as necessary pairs in their society that involved both sexes. Dr. Edwards is Associate Professor of History and Director of the Kansas Studies Institute at Johnson County Community College. The program can be viewed at youtube.com/user/kclibrary and scrolling to the right on Library Events options.
Supporting Our Veterans
Kansas City Athenaeum donated $10,000 in January 2022 to the Veterans Community Project. This donation continues our participation in Team 49 for a second year by sponsoring one of the 49 tiny homes in the VCP village in Kansas City. Our support covers the costs of a veteran's case management, health care, furnishings, utilities and household goods for one year. The Veterans Community Project helps veterans transition toward financial stability, independence and permanent housing.
Tour of J. Rieger & Co.
In a pursuit of learning more about Kansas City history, our members toured J. Rieger & Co. in December 2021. The guided tour explained the distillery process and blending methods used to make its products unique among competitors in this industry. The original J. Rieger & Co. was founded by European immigrant Jacob Rieger in 1887 and was extremely successful until the business was closed with the 1919 Prohibition enactment. The legacy of J. Rieger & Co. was resurrected in 2010 by Ryan Mabee and Andy Rieger. Museum displays in the building show photographs of Kansas City's developing years and memorabilia from the earlier decades of the business.
Kansas City Museum Tour
In November 2021, our members and guests toured Kansas City Museum exhibits in the newly renovated Corinthian Hall. Members were delighted to see a placard recognizing the achievements of Phoebe Jane Ess, one of the founders of our organization in 1894. She led Kansas City Athenaeum members in spearheading many community improvement projects in the city's early development. The museum wall displayed a quotation attributed to her regarding the suffrage movement.
Donation to MOCSA
In October 2021, Kansas City Athenaeum donated $10,000 to the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Our donation supports their services addressing the needs of victims and their program educating the community to prevent violence.
Tour of Kansas City Union Station
Kansas City Athenaeum members enjoyed a guided tour of the Kansas City Union Station in October 2021. Highlights of its 107-year history were presented by our tour guide who happens to be a club member outfitted as a Harvey Girl. This was reminiscent of the days when young women were employed by Fred Harvey to serve meals in dining cars and railway stops across the country, including Kansas City Union Station. This photo was taken from a balcony overlooking the Grand Lobby, a captivating view of the beautiful architectural details. Following the tour, members enjoyed lunch at the current Harvey's Restaurant in the Grand Lobby.
Veterans Community Project
Kansas City Athenaeum was recognized in September 2021 at an induction ceremony for those supporting the Veterans Community Project with $10,000 donations. Our brick at the VCP Village in Kansas City is among others joining the Team 49 effort to support the services provided in the 49 tiny homes built to help veterans. We appreciate receiving the following acknowledgment: "Thank you so much for being a part of Team 49. You are a blessing to every Veteran living in a tiny home. Without your support we could not offer Veterans the critical services needed to help them transition into permanent housing. On behalf of our entire KC staff at VCP, we thank you!"