The Kansas City Athenaeum in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

is a building from 1914. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

History

Officially known as the Athenaeum Club House, the building was erected for the Kansas City Athenaeum, a women's organization founded in 1894 and affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Inc. since 1898.kcathenaeum.org Athenaeum members faced scrutiny for wanting a building for their own use instead of continuing to rent spaces in Kansas City. The women purchased land at the corner of Linwood Boulevard and Campbell Street in Kansas City, Missouri, because it was accessible by three street car lines.Calvin, Donna S. "Kansas City Athenaeum: 1894-1994" Kansas City Athenaeum members purchased $5.00 shares in the Athenaeum Club House Company in order to raise the $50,000 to construct the building. At that time in history, American household finances were managed by the husbands. In order to raise money, members sold canned vegetables and needlework. Some members even charged their husbands a nickel to iron their shirts or a quarter if the husband or grown son came home from work for lunch. Additional funds were raised by producing extravagant musical productions, including the operetta, "The House that Jack Built". Architect Samuel Tarbet and contractor Harvey Stiver were hired, and the members watched their dream come to fruition with the erection of their own club house. They held the grand opening on June 3, 1914. The building included a ballroom on the second floor with six stained glass windows and four meeting rooms. A commercial sized kitchen and dining hall filled the first floor. At the time of the building's opening, the Kansas City Athenaeum had more than 500 members who chose their department of interest: The Arts, Music, Literature, Home Economics, Philosophy and Ethics, and Public Issues. Members of the Kansas City Athenaeum met continuously in their club house for 101 years.Kansas City Athenaeum archives stored in the Missouri Room of the Kansas City Public Library In 2015 the decision was made to sell the building to

Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta ...

sorority. With "ATHENAEUM" permanently etched in the exterior Carthage stone, the new owners chose to identify their building as the Delta Athenaeum. Kansas City Athenaeum members continue to meet semimonthly in different parts of the Kansas City area, devoting their efforts to philanthropy and community service.

References

Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri Neoclassical architecture in Missouri Buildings and structures completed in 1914 Buildings and structures in Kansas City, Missouri National Register of Historic Places in Kansas City, Missouri {{KansasCityMO-NRHP-stub