Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM), located in Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, is dedicated to preserve the rich history of professional African-American baseball of the early 1900s to the 1950s and its profound impact on the social advancement of America. The privately funded non-profit museum was incorporated in 1990 two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where, in 1920, Andrew "Rube" Foster established the Negro National League.
Through the inspiration of Horace M. Peterson III (1945-1992), founder of The Black Archives of Mid-America, and the passionate leadership of Negro Leagues legend John "Buck" O'Neil (1911-2006), a group of local historians, business leaders, and former professional baseball players came together to create a museum that would give voice to a remarkable chapter of American history.
The NLBM opened its doors to the public in a tiny one-room office space in 1991. By 1994, the NLBM expanded to a 2,000 square foot space in the Lincoln Building which became the catalyst for redevelopment of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
In November, 1997, a dream was realized when the NLBM joined the American Jazz Museum as part of the new "Museums at 18th & Vine" complex. The NLBM houses a 10,000 square foot exhibit featuring multi-media displays, several film exhibits, hundreds of photographs,
12 bronze sculptures of Negro League legends, and a growing collection of artifacts.
In July, 2006, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum gained national distinction from the U.S. Congress earning the designation as "America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum."
Erected 2013 by The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City and the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Kansas City - Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1990.
Location. 39° 5.502′ N, 94° 33.77′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in 18th And Vine. Marker is on Vine Street north of 18th Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the north grounds of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum/American Jazz Museum complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City MO 64108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Jazz Museum (here, next to this marker); Roy Wilkins (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kansas City Call (about 500 feet away); Mutual Musicians Association Building
Also see . . .
1. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on October 4, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Negro Leagues Baseball Player Stastics. Baseball Reference website entry (Submitted on October 4, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Negro Leagues Legacy. Major League Baseball website entry (Submitted on October 4, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.