Business Details
36 Years
experience
Your Destination for Negro Leagues Baseball History
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum stands as the world's only national institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its profound impact on America's social advancement. Established in 1990, our museum occupies a culturally significant location in Kansas City, Missouri, just two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Andrew Rube Foster founded the Negro National League in 1920. Our exhibits feature hundreds of photographs, artifacts, and film presentations that chronicle the legacy of the Negro Leagues while educating visitors about their pivotal role in baseball and civil rights history. We offer immersive self-guided tours that integrate timelines of baseball and African American history, with recommended visit durations of at least one hour to fully appreciate our collections. Through partnerships with Major League Baseball, the Players Association, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Google Fiber, we've developed extensive digital educational resources that expand our reach beyond physical visitors.Our mission extends to preserving this powerful story for future generations through membership programs, special events like the annual Buck O'Neil Birthday Celebration, and a curated gift shop featuring licensed merchandise that directly supports our preservation efforts. Located in the heart of Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, we maintain regular operating hours Tuesday through Sunday while providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of background. Our facility remains accessible despite ongoing construction projects, with clear visitor parking instructions provided to ensure uninterrupted access to our exhibits and programs.
Services
Museum Tours
Digital Exhibits
Educational Programs
Gift Shop Merchandise
Event Hosting
Membership Programs
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We are the world's only national museum dedicated to African-American baseball history
- Our exhibits integrate timelines of baseball and civil rights history
- We maintain Andrew Rube Foster's founding legacy at the Paseo YMCA location
- Our educational resources receive support from Major League Baseball and Google Fiber
- We offer both physical and digital access to our historical collections
Services
Museum Tours
Our self-guided tours feature text panels, hundreds of historical photographs, artifacts, and film exhibits that trace the timeline of African-American baseball history. Visitors explore the museum's core collection at their own pace through structured exhibit pathways that highlight key moments in baseball and civil rights history. The experience includes access to special exhibits like 'Barrier Breakers' and 'Storied Teams of the Negro Leagues' while maintaining regular operating hours Tuesday through Sunday.
Digital Exhibits
Our online platform provides digital access to educational resources including 'Negro Leagues Bisbol' and 'Integration Pioneers' exhibits. These interactive experiences explore baseball's cultural connections across Latin America and highlight players who crossed racial barriers. Developed with support from Major League Baseball and Google Fiber, our virtual exhibits feature multimedia content that extends our educational mission beyond physical visitors while maintaining historical accuracy and academic rigor.
Educational Programs
We offer teaching materials and animated series like 'Undeniable' that educate about the Negro Leagues' social impact. Our programs cover Andrew Rube Foster's 1920 league formation, the integration era, and baseball's role in civil rights. These resources serve schools and researchers through structured curricula that combine historical analysis with cultural context, supported by partnerships with educational foundations and sports organizations.
Event Hosting
Our venue hosts special events like the annual Buck O'Neil Birthday Celebration, featuring jazz performances and historical commemorations. These events combine entertainment with education, maintaining the museum's mission while creating community engagement opportunities. Programming includes both ticketed events and public celebrations that honor key figures and milestones in African-American baseball history.
Gift Shop
The 'Extra Innings' gift shop offers officially licensed merchandise representing historic Negro Leagues teams. Proceeds directly support our preservation efforts while allowing visitors to take home authentic memorabilia. Our inventory includes apparel, collectibles, and souvenirs that maintain historical accuracy while meeting modern retail standards, with online purchasing options available for remote supporters.
Questions
What is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's primary focus?
We preserve and celebrate African-American baseball history, including its social impact and role in civil rights advancements.
Are there educational resources available for schools?
Yes, we offer teaching materials, animated series, and digital exhibits specifically designed for educational use.
Can I visit the museum virtually?
Our digital exhibits provide online access to collections and educational content about Negro Leagues history and integration pioneers.
What special events do you host annually?
We celebrate Buck O'Neil's birthday with live jazz performances and historical commemorations each May.
Is the museum accessible during construction projects?
Yes, we provide alternate parking instructions and entrance options during ongoing 18th Street construction.
How does membership support the museum?
Membership fees directly fund preservation efforts and educational programs that keep the Negro Leagues legacy alive.
