East Side in Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mutual Musicians Association Building
Photographed by R. C., December 3, 2007
1. National Park Service plaque on front of building.
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
In commemorating the history of the
United States of America
This hall used by Musicians Union Local #627 served as a center for the development of the Kansas City Style of jazz in the 1930s and 1940s
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
Erected 1981.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.
Location. 39° 5.414′ N, 94° 33.722′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in the East Side. It is at the intersection of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Highland Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City MO 64108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roy Wilkins (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kansas City Call (about 300 feet away); Ms. Myra Taylor
this page online
More about this marker. Building is in the historic "18th and Vine" Jazz District of Kansas City, Missouri. It is shouting distance from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and American Jazz Museum.
Also see . . . Musicians Local 627. UMKC website entry (Submitted on March 28, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
via NPS, unknown
2. Mutual Musicians' Foundation Building
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by R. C., December 3, 2007
3. Mutual Musicians Association building
Marker is to the right of the front door
Photographed by R. C., December 3, 2007
4. Hotel Rochester
The Hotel Rochester, next door to the Musicians Association Building, was the only hotel in Kansas City, Missouri in the 1930s and 1940s where visiting African American could stay. Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, and many other of the great jazz artists of the time would have stayed there.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,446 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 2. submitted on May 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A link to the nomination form, citing the building's historical significance. • Can you help?
