Planning a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? Here’s what you need to know
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the historic 18th and Vine District is one of Kansas City’s greatest treasures. If you haven’t been there, take the time to plan a visit. You’ll learn something new and gain more appreciation for one of America’s favorite pastimes.
We spoke with Dr. Raymond Doswell, vice president of curatorial services at the NLBM, for more information on what you can expect to see when visiting the museum.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Inside the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, you’ll find a timeline of Black history and baseball history that flows around the baseball diamond in the center. As Doswell put it, you’re walking into a time machine when you walk through the replica design of an old baseball stadium.
Different sections highlight the rich history of African Americans in baseball, dating back to the 1800s and ending in the 1960s after Black baseball players began to integrate into Major League Baseball.
While the film showing in The Grandstand Theater is closed due to COVID-19 precautions, the film in the Press Box, along with photos and descriptions of significant events, will place you right in the middle of Negro league history.
Statues commemorating some of the greatest baseball players in the Negro league are on the baseball field. Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, “Cool Papa” Bell, Oscar Charleston and more legendary players sit in their fielding positions, as the statue of 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee “Buck” O’Neil watches over them in the manager position.
You can also see memorabilia of game-worn uniforms, bats and balls in the museum. They have a collection of over 300 signed baseballs from Black players that Geddy Lee, the lead singer of progressive rock band Rush, purchased for the museum.
The collection includes signatures from Charley Pride, who later became a country singer, and Toni Stone, one of three women who played in the Negro leagues.
Doswell encouraged people to follow the museum on Facebook and Twitter, where you can learn more about events the NLBM runs and who’s in town to visit. You never know, you might just run into Laurence Fishbourne one day as Doswell did.
WHERE TO PARK
Street parking is available near the museum. You can park on either side of 18th Street, on the south side of “Buck” O’Neil Way or in public parking lots near the Gregg/Klice Community Center.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
You can purchase tickets at the door or online here. Show the online ticket when you arrive. The ticket is valid for one year after you buy it, and you can only buy eight at a time.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and is closed on Monday.
Adults: $10
Adults ages 65 and up: $9
Kids ages 5-12: $6
Kids under age 4 are free
Masks are also required for all visitors.
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
