The Westport Historical Society Speaker Series seeks to promote and foster public interest in and preserve the significance of local history. Join us at the Westport Branch Library for the presentation "Midtown Kansas City's Historic Neighborhoods" from Midtown resident Mary Jo Draper, who has written extensively about the history of Midtown neighborhoods and current issues affecting the area. The unique character of Midtown Kansas City - from 31st to 55th Streets, State Line to the Paseo - grew out its development as the streetcar suburbs of an expanding Kansas City. This is the story of how Midtown's popular neighborhoods grew and developed, and why they remain so popular today.

Mary Jo Draper moved to Midtown's Valentine neighborhood in 1986 where she still lives today with her husband Joe Lambe, a former news reporter at the Kansas City Star. Draper worked for 15 years as a reporter and news director of KCUR, Kansas City's public radio station. Draper is currently the editor of the daily online news site, the Midtown KC Post. A Speaker's Reception follows at the Harris Kearney House, 40th & Baltimore.