Missouri Valley
As Kansas City International Airport breaks ground on a new terminal on March 25, 2019, the Library's Missouri Valley Special Collections provides a window seat to the city's aviation past.
With Kansas City International Airport's new single terminal now scheduled to open on February 28, 2023, the Library's Missouri Valley Special Collections gives you a window seat to the city's aviation past with a collection of images and historical background.
Street signs along Kansas City's Paseo Boulevard began coming down in late February, replaced with new ones proclaiming the street’s new name: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Following a long period of local debate, a mayoral task force, and a measure passed by the city council in October, the historic street is now officially renamed after the civil rights leader. On the occasion of the boulevard’s name change, the Library has pulled together a selection of images from the Missouri Valley Special Collections that provide some snapshots of The Paseo’s past.
What do you want to know about our community? Beginning October 3, the Library and The Kansas City Star are combining resources to find answers to questions about regional topics ranging from the history of barbecue to the stories behind local landmarks. In a new partnership called What’s Your KC Q?, readers submit questions, the public votes on their favorites, and a team of librarians and reporters digs in and reports back with answers.
The Library's Missouri Valley Special Collections has two coloring books available for free download that celebrate the lives and contributions of local women in our region's history. Read about the legacies of these notable Kansas City women and get digital copies of the coloring books to print out and enjoy. Find both editions at kchistory.org.coloringkc.
We’re celebrating the 100th birthday of Kansas City jazz legend Charlie Parker. Known as “Yardbird,” or just “Bird,” he was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on August 29, 1920, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, during its peak years of jazz culture. Discover more about Parker’s impact on Kansas City and explore his musical legacy through the Library’s Missouri Valley Special Collections. You can also listen to albums of Parker’s music, available for free with your library card.