Restoration & Renovation

Summer Wheat’s JewelHouse

James Turrell’s Skyspace

Ed Dwight’s Weathervane

Restorative Practices

Historic Garment District Museum

The Historic Garment District Museum, located at 801 Broadway Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64105, was founded and opened in 2002 by Ann Brownfield and Harvey Fried. Kansas City’s Garment District (an area defined as between 6th and 11th Streets, and Washington and Wyandotte Streets) rose up around the wholesale business area of the City’s downtown after World War I and grew steadily to become, at its peak, one of the largest garment districts in the nation and the second largest industry and employer (of women) in Kansas City.

The Garment District Collection highlights companies that helped make up Kansas City’s Garment District. At any time, approximately 20-25 items are on display of the more than 350 garments and accessories, made by local companies from the 1920s through the 1980s and includes numerous objects such as sewing equipment and advertising pieces.

The Garment District Collection of Kansas City-made garments and accessories allows the Kansas City Museum to add to its stellar collection of historical clothing, textiles, and costumes, which comprises more than 20,000 items in the Museum’s collection and is one of the best collections of its kind in the region.

In 2015, Ann and Harvey decided to retire and made the joint decision to donate their museum & collections to the Kansas City Museum.

The Historic Garment District Museum Hours

By Appointment Only. Appointments may be made for Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Appointments must be made at least two weeks in advance. Tour is not considered scheduled until you receive confirmation from museum staff.

General Admission is FREE with suggested donation of $5 per person.

Paid metered street parking on Broadway and 8th Street is enforced on weekdays.

To learn more about availability and to schedule, please contact:
Denise Morrison
Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs
dmorrison@kansascitymuseum.org 
Please write HGDM Tour in the subject line of the email.

Helpful Tips/Items to Consider:

At the entrance on 8th and Broadway, there are numerous steps outside the building and one set of steps inside. If your party needs an accessible entrance to the building, please contact the Kansas City Museum in advance at 816.702.7704 and we will provide directions to the accessible entrance.

Parking is available on Broadway Blvd. and 8th Street; both are paid metered.

There is one single restroom onsite.

You should allow yourself a minimum of 30 minutes to view everything.

There are approximately 20-25 items on display plus some machines, photos, and ephemera.

Museum staff does not provide a guided tour; staff will introduce the space, give a general introduction about the Garment District and answer questions.

HOURS & ADMISSON

Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday
Noon – 5:00 p.m.

General Admission is FREE