Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Awesome museum. Had a place that had a short film viewing, many of the jerseys worn by the players, and even a mock baseball field with notable players and their positions. Affordable ticket prices. It shares a building with the American Jazz Museum, so I can definitely imagine spending about 4 hours total in the building. The gift shop was okay, had awesome jerseys but wish there was some more variety of souvenirs.

This is an outstanding museum that captures a comprehensive picture of the Negro Leagues and the players. I had the privilege to hear the president of the museum speak so eloquently and passionately about the players and bring the history to life. This is a “must visit” museum for any serious baseball fan and the quality of the museum and quantity of exhibits and displays is a testament to so many historians with a passion for keeping this amazing piece of baseball history alive for future generations.

One of the best museums I have ever had the opportunity to visit. I waited a long time for this. It did not disappoint. It was great information. If you get a chance to go, do it.

This place was recommended by a friend of ours. The construction in front of the building made access difficult. The museum itself was magnificent. So much important history. I love how the museum is designed to align what was happening in the world along with what was happening in baseball.

Amazing museum showcasing so many great artifacts and stories. Worth a visit for any baseball fan! The only criticism I have is that the people working seemed to no customer service training. Eating and on their phones at the cash register, ignoring customers, totally uninterested in doing anything. The museum itself is great though.

By far the BEST Museum I've ever gone to!! I'm visiting KCMO for the first time from Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's my best friend birthday weekend. So, the first place on my list to visit was The Negro League Baseball Museum. Such a wise choice on my part. We all couldn't get enough of all the rich history written out and on display though pictures, videos, memorabilia and life size statues. Every aspect of negro baseball history was laid out for us. I will highly recommend EVERYONE I know who's visiting the area please go! spend a day learning about how Blacks and Latin America played a roll in baseball history. Great Job!!!

So much information to read and displays to look at! Plan to spend at least an hour if you want to take your time and really soak it all in. Bought a jersey with all the team patches at the shop. So excited!

We visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City over Spring Break and were so impressed. It’s full of powerful stories, unique exhibits, and incredible artifacts that really bring history to life. The kids (ages 4 and 7) especially enjoyed the interactive parts, like running the bases on the replica field with bronzed statues of legendary players. We all loved the movie - James Earl Jones narrating the history of baseball was a highlight. It’s a must-visit if you’re in KC - such an important and inspiring place.

If you've never been to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum located on 18th & Vine in Kansas City, please put it on you to do list. You start the tour off with a short video and then start off at your pace through the Museum. Seeing the different players who made an impact of Baseball and their contribution was eye opening. A common theme I took from touring was these members of Baseball opened doors for the generations of players to follow. From the progression of clothing, baseballs and the equipment it's easy to see that things came along way. It's something you have to check out in person to understand but well worth the visit. There is parking on the street around the Museum and and open parking lot maybe about a block away. Admission is free from February 1st - March 7, 2025 (thank you to the Kansas City Royals.) Please stop by, check it out, immerse yourself in history, learn something new about a Negro League player or the owners that made the league possible back then.

Sooo much information, be sure youre ready to read and take in all of the info. There's so much history in this place. I recommend to visit once or twice if you're in Kansas City.

This museum is AMAZING! Learned so much history abt the evolution of blacks in the baseball industry. So informative with plenty of items to read abt. Can definitely spend quite a bit of time in there and it's well worth it.

I wouldn't call myself a sports nut, but I don't think you need to be one to visit this museum. It's less about sports statistics than it is about the league itself and what the players went through during these rough times in American history. Some of the best players in Major League Baseball started out in the Negro Leagues before the MLB began allowing players of all colors and creeds. A visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum goes deeper than just some fun about the game and actually teaches you about our nations history and sport past. I left this museum in awe of what these men endured and how they still became champions of not only the MLB, but the communities they served. I will say this isn't something I'd visit more than once every few years, but for a couple hours of learning about these great athletes at only $10, I'd say it was worth it. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/6X_5cDClGus

We are in Kansas City Missouri, and touring the Negro League Baseball Museum. It is truly on my top list of things to do while in KC. The museum is easy to find. We were able to park on the street near the museum. The staff members were friendly and informative, and the cost was nominal. The exhibits were very well done, and exiting to tour.

So much information, great exhibits, lots of lore and information outside of just baseball. The movie/documentary is worth the wait. I wish the women in baseball exhibit was a little more spaced out - it felt crammed into the corner, but otherwise this was a great stop on our visit!

I was honored to go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. I took by kids last time and we walked though and were amazed. This is a really good depiction of the history and what we have been through and shown in an inspiring way. The bookstore I bought some items I have never seen anywhere else.

This isn't a common museum to visit, but it's a museum everybody should visit. They do a great job of presenting history, stories, and why they're important today. There's a ton of exhibits and memorabilia from even the 1800s. The short film narrated by James Earl Jones was a great intro to the museum. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring if you read thoroughly, but only an hour if you want to browse. There's a gift shop and an exhibit of the Kansas City Monarchs for free before you enter. Parking is on the street.

Wonderful tribute to the groundbreaking Negro Leagues, complete with a winding walkthrough exhibition and a history recap film screening with narrator James Earl Jones. Great for families, sports fans, and history buffs.

Overall amazing experience and well presented. As a museum buff and huge baseball fan this hit on so many levels. The overall experience took 90 minutes but could have spent another hour. Great insight into a very important aspect of not only the history of baseball but US history itself. Definitely recommend.

This was a return to this historic place I visited 2 years prior. What a great venue and an opportunity to learn about the Negro Baseball league and the emergence of women ownership even before the MLB allowed this to happen 20 plus years later. When in KC, come by 18th and Vine for a lesson in history from jazz music to baseball greatness.

The museum is located in Kansas City, Missouri on the historic 18th & Vine which was known as the Jazz District and the heartbeat of the Black community. The museum expands upon our common knowledge of Jackie Robinson's accomplishments, by highlighting the talented baseball players that were stars in the Negro Baseball League. Starting by introducing us to the founder of the league, Rube Foster. I was glad to see that there was a several panels focusing on the female players that proved they were just as capable to play the game. In particular, Toni Stone who was the first woman to go pro in baseball. Ticket prices range from $6 to $10 and can be purchased online.

Touring this outstanding museum is an enlightening experience. Despite the injustices of the past, it is filled with warmth, love, and celebration. Within these walls is an almost overwhelming amount of historical fact and narrative. I would likely need 3 hours without interruption to read the entire timeline and immerse myself in the displays and films. However, the space is not huge, so when I visited I only took in bits and pieces so I wouldn't hold up the patrons behind me. Truly, this museum is a feast for baseball fans and history enthusiasts alike. My only regret is that I didn't get to meet the fascinating president, Bob Kendrick. He's a mesmerizing storyteller. If you ever have the chance to listen to him regale legendary Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews with tales of baseball past, do not miss it.

I was in awe. So much respect. As a St Louisan, I knew of James "Cool Papa" Bell, but to go to this museum and take in so much history put it all in perspective. Respect. If you are a baseball fan and you are I KC you need to go here. 100%.

A must-see if you're in the KC area. On the day my son and I were there on a Saturday morning, the legendary Bob Kendrick, the president of the museum, was in the lobby welcoming visitors. We had the opportunity to spend 10 minutes with him talking about the museum, the Monarchs, and the great Buck O'Neil. He's a living, breathing treasure of Negro Leagues history. The museum does a great job of walking visitors through the beginning of the Negro Leagues because of Jim Crow and segregation through Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, and the gradual fading out of the Negro Leagues as more players of color made it into MLB.

It was pouring rain Saturday so I ended up going to the museum to get out of the rain. I was super impressed with the quality and curation of the museum and learned a lot. Definitely check it out if you're in the area

What a gem of a spot in KC! I love seeing how 18th and vine is being revitalized. Though it was super crowded when we went my son and I were still impressed by how well the museum was curated, Stories of anti-racists working towards equality, musicians who partnered with baseball teams, and previously untold stories about athletes made for an incredibly engaging museum. They have a short film at the beginning that is worth watching and is only 15 minutes. Sculptures, artifacts, and media were all very interesting. It would be great if they had more interactive elements for kids who are more tactile learners. It was A LOT of reading for my son who doesn't enjoy reading. Really cool gift shop with vintage style clothing and memorabilia. You can also visit the open exhibit for the jazz museum without additional cost. Can't wait til the open the brewery just up the road to Leep adding in great elements to this neighborhood.

If you are a baseball fan this museum will land you in heaven. If you're not, no worries as the museum presents a great slice of American history and culture. This was my first time to KC. I've known about the museum for years and had to pleasure of meeting Bob Kendrick here in L.A. at last year's All Star game, so while my visit was a bucket list option, I needed to complete my research for a book I am writing which deals with the impact of the Negro Leagues while playing in Cuba. The venue is outstanding and takes you back in time to appreciate all of the details of the esteemed Negro Leagues. Kathy is tour guide extraordinaire - full of smiles and impeccable knowledge. Most simply do the self tour as you weave through the exhibits and spaces. The recreated playing field is amazing and the great Dihigo was prominently featured with good ole Satch on the bump. It's an outstanding venue and worth your time. Being baseball nerds we went three days in a row. There is a small admission fee but with our membership we received two complimentary admission tickets. In addition to the artifacts once your tour is complete and you are directed to the Extra Inning (Gift Shop) you will be further amazed at the products offered. We went way over budget but didn't mind as this was one of those "once in a lifetime opportunities." Oh, one other thing.....make sure you watch the two videos - great piece of work in helping you understand the league. They are short but lots of good info. A great museum and a must-see.

I missed this on my first trip to KC a few months ago, and had more time this time around so I walked the 30 minutes there and it was so good, I would've walked 1 hour for it! As a baseball and history fan, you can't go wrong with this museum. It does have a lot of text, but it's interesting--there's so many pictures and newspaper clippings and stories and movie clips! It's so well-done and the design is very well-thought-out. As another review suggested, you should watch the movie in the theatre near the front before going through the exhibits!

Awesome place to learn some amazing history. Its small though, so if there are over 100 people in at the same time, you feel it.

As a baseball fan, it was well worth the visit. My adult son & I enjoyed it immensely. It's not a big museum, but there's a lot to see and learn. We could've easily spent more time there but they closed early on the Monday we went. Don't trust their website, it said they were closed Mondays but we went by anyway since we were in the area and found out they do open on Mondays but close early for a portion of the year.

This is Definitely a don't miss out on a fantastic Musuem! Perfect for all ages, Baseball fans, Sports Fanatics, History Buffs, and Civil Rights enthusiast! It's one of those Musuems where it could take one person an hour and the next Four hours. The memorabilia and historical figures were fantastic. Don't miss the section on how Women have impacted Baseball.

I really enjoyed this amazing museum. The films were very informative. The flow of the museum was great and was very informative. It kept the younger members of our party involved and interested. It does present a great timeline of not only baseball but of the world as a whole.

This was my first time at this museum and if you read no further, my advice is to go visit! So much American history through the lens of baseball! Did a private tour with my family and we had a BLAST! Located in the historic 18th and Vine district of Kansas City, Missouri, this Museum is a must if you are in the city!

This was a very informative visit, the guide knew every aspect of baseball. Gave me a new perspective on baseball as a whole. Thank You NLBM...

It's almost scary to read the 1920's-1945 of baseball and realize we are so close to where we were. The museum shows facts. If you are interested in learning about the history of baseball relevant to bring black, you'd enjoy! If your white and want to learn about the history of baseball in the perspective of being white, you'd enjoy. There is no right or wrong side, just history on display. I'm thankful and appreciate the respect of the display! No agenda to stir you one way or another, just simply showing you the history of a negro playing baseball and a Kansas City community who enjoyed it while it lasted!

Any sports fan should check this place out when in KCMO. It is in the same building as the American Jazz Museum, in the Historic 18th and Vine District. I don't know if it's the world's largest collection of Negro League memorabilia, but there is certainly lots to see. Old uniforms, hats, stadium seats and signs, even autographed baseballs by Negro League veterans (donated by Rush singer Geddy Lee!). There is even a uniform that the late Chadwick Boseman wore in the movie "42" that he himself donated to the museum after the movie premiered. It is a self-guided tour, but be sure to watch the 10-15 minute documentary (narrated by James Earl Jones) which talks about segregation in sports and the origins of the Negro League. They do not allow photography or video, even though we live in an age where people whip out their smartphones and such. There is so much to see, but what I like the most is that they pay tribute to several unsung heroes in sports. The gift shop is the end of the tour. Be prepared to spend $$ especially if you're a baseball collector. Highly recommend getting the combo (this and the American Jazz Museum tickets. You save money)

Loved the museum and certainly glad it exists, as it is an important part of baseball and US history. I would HIGHLY recommend watching the movie first, before hitting the museum. It is 15 minutes and is shown at :15 and :45. It gives a good overview of what is in the museum. There is tons of opportunity for additional artifacts/information (ie, coming from Detroit, I was hoping for more info on the Stars). We went on Jackie Robinson Day (unintentionally) and seems like a great opportunity to have some type of celebration, but didn't. Overall loved that it exists and I hope it continues to grow and flourish.

How many times do you find yourself or your friends talking about places that you would like to visit that aren't local to you? Things you want to do, places you want to see, memories you'd like to make. And often times, we do this without even taking full advantage of all of the amazing things that are RIGHT HERE in our own town? The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is one of those very things. It's not really about baseball, though that certainly is the vehicle. It's more about culture, a period of our social fabric that somehow we celebrate while still understanding that it is an anachronism. And by celebrate I mean appreciate the *greatness* of these men and women that made baseball such a central part of their and our lives. Maybe these conversations are held with an air of shame about them, but we cannot overlook the fact that for nearly four decades, some of the best athletic competition took place in front of largely black-only audiences. Interspersed with collections of baseball moments are the hardships that these men and women endured traveling about our country. Segregation was certainly a driver behind the founding of the Negro Leagues but was also a constant barrier to normalcy as the league operated. It has only been recently that Major League Baseball has officially recognized the records and accomplishments of Negro League players, leveling those marks with those of white players, just as it should be. Greats such as Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and more are already enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but you won't find Babe Ruth or Dizzy Dean here in *this* museum. Why? It's not that they don't belong, it's more that they likely would not fit. When the legend of Josh Gibson was growing, he would be referred to as the 'black Babe Ruth'. Would the Babe ever be known as the 'white Josh Gibson'? No. And he wouldn't belong here. Be sure to stay for the short film that encapsulates the founding of the Negro Leagues and the vision of Rube Foster all the way through the lifecycle of the league. Names and faces come to life through film, still photos, and statue as you wind your way through the timelines and artifacts artfully displayed. Time can certainly heal some wounds but this museum ensures that we recognize, understand, and appreciate the rigors of those eras and the accomplishments of these people.

As a fan of baseball, and its history, I have been wanting to visit here since I heard about it a few years ago (been open about 10 years). Since I saw no plausible path forward in which I would find myself in Kansas City for any other reason, I decided to dedicate a trip for a weekend with this as the centerpiece (along with some Royals games, I mentioned I like baseball). I certainly was not disappointed. The museum logistics are easy to navigate. You can buy tickets (~$10 per person) in advance or at the museum the day of your visit. Can't imagine there would be a situation in which they were sold out (unless there was a private event). It's located in a complex with other museums and light food/drink options. Inside, find yourself in an atrium with a useful visual graphic of all the teams in the various Negro Leagues (there was more than one, way more than one) by year in the early 20th century. Some other basic displays, it's a great place to wait to start with a short (I think 10-15 minute) introductory video in a small theater to start your experience (it's posted when the video starts, something like 15/45 minutes after the hour). Narrated by James Earl Jones, voice over by Buck O'Neil with fast moving video highlights of the Negro Leagues as well as current star players to set the context of how we got here. Get in the theater a few minutes early for a National Anthem rendition that's worth the time. Next as you move through the rest of the displays, it weaves the context of black baseball of its day with the struggles of African Americans and others of color in the times. Most of the displays are two dimensional, think photos and narratives. Short bios of star players or stories of specific events. Highlights of outstanding performances. And lots of vintage photos. A few items like gloves or statues but that's not as impactful as the stories and photos for me. Overall, the museum does a good job of telling the story without coming across as bitter, preachy, or shaming. There is shame in what happens and that's apparent but too much focus on that would take away from the baseball element. How great the baseball was. How important it was to the black community. And how the players truly were as good as, if not better than their major league counterparts. The exhibits conclude with displays for Negro Leaguers in the National Baseball Hall of Fame (there are many) and a lot of context around the integration era when Jackie (Robinson) and Larry (Doby) broke the color barrier and what that meant for both black players, the leagues, and American society. The challenge with a museum like this with so much information is how to digest. I spent 2.5 or so hours making sure I visited and saw everything there was but that can be a lot to ingest. You might think of spreading it over two days. Or if a lighter fan, just touching on the high points. Make the experience work for you, but if you feel rushed or overwhelmed, sit and rest or watch one of the looping, informative videos. Honestly can't think of many ways to improve without the ability to have more memorabilia which just wasn't held on to in those times. I'll be dropping in the next time I'm in Kansas City, have to go five stars.

An incredible experience for this baseball lover, to belatedly learn of, and honor, so many great negro baseball players. All the well-known greats, and not-as-known greats, are recognized in the hundreds of items on display, the videos, an indoor miniature baseball field with statues. Entertaining and interesting exhibits, carefully curated and displayed. One cannot begin to fathom the prejudice they endured just to professionally play the baseball game they loved. What a farce that the MLB was so slow to recognize the legitimacy of the Negro league. Hard times, great men, great baseball ... well worth a visit to explore this part of sports history.

What a great way to spend a few hours! We have a ton of history here in Kansas City - and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum does a fabulous job telling part of that story. The men and women involved with this era of history had their work cut out for them. I wonder how often they felt like giving up. If they ever thought "it's just a game - is it really worth it to keep fighting for?" But they achieved something beautiful with that game. With plenty of bumps along the road, these players, owners, coaches and fans created quite the community. A place for old and young alike to be united in purpose as well as simply enjoying this life we've been given. Thank you to the museum sponsors for making this era available for us to enjoy and learn about now. The good times and the hard times!!

Wonderful experience for the history. Glad we stopped by. The biggest reason for taking off a star was how poorly managed the crowd was. The staff taking tickets reminded you to 'keep your distance' from other guests, but for a small space, you couldn't do that at all. I think they should consider timed tickets here or only allowing so many in at a time, even when not in a pandemic. It got so crowded that it became nearly impossible to see anything (and we went right when they opened; seemed even worse when we left around 1).

Anyone who is a baseball fan should visit this museum. There are many artifacts and information about the various leagues and players who participated in this important part of baseball history. It is very interesting to see the number of magnificent athletes who never got the opportunity to compete in major league baseball.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is made for everyone, including non-baseball fans like myself. I was a little disappointed when my husband was hard-pressed to go to this museum instead of the American Jazz Museum. After all, neither of us like baseball but at least one of us is a jazz fan! As you may have guessed based on this review, he won that decision. We both left grateful because the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum did not disappoint. We learned so much about the history of black baseball teams and the role that Rube Foster played in establishing the Kansas City (KC) team and league. I was astounded to learn about J.L. Wilkerson, a white manager/sports executive, who supported the KC Monarchs (the negro league team). The negro leagues were extremely progressive for their time; Effa Manley, a woman co-owned the Newark, NJ team, and three women played in the league. The museum did a fantastic job making the history accessible to visitors and displaying photos, sports memorabilia, videos, and text to welcome visitors into the bustle of the former league. Prior to visiting, I would have never been able to tell you who Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson were. We spent about two hours in the exhibit. Admission was $10 a person. The museum is located on 18th & Vine Street, conveniently in the same building as the American Jazz Museum and the Horace M. Peterson III Visitors Center. I look forward to visiting this museum again in the near future when friends and family come to visit Kansas City.

While I'm not a baseball fan, that didn't ruin it for me at all. I found learning about the Negro Leagues to be fascinating and a crucial part of US history. This museum is charming, thorough in its retelling of history, and not going to cost you an arm and a leg to view. Definitely recommend going to the jazz museum on the same trip as they are in the same building.

Excellent! That about sums up the NLBM. Love that the original Golden Glove awards are featured here. I learned so much about Negro League Baseball history and how it intertwined into the history of these United States. My husband, who enjoys all sports, was fascinated by the facts, artifacts and photos. The museum features many lifesized statues as well. The gift shop is small and has replica jerseys, hats and tshirts. Do yourself a favor and visit the NLBM.

Really interesting place! has the coolest layout of a baseball diamond that has statues of different legends.

This is a must go to. It has everything you didn't know and everything you need to know I would advise everyone to go at least one time. You will learn why the negro League was needed and why it disband. Most importantly, you will learn about young players and people going after their dream amongst great adversity and never giving up. You will learn how most had to work a job and play and while playing could not find places to stay the night or eat. I advise you wherever you are in the world and take a trip here. It's well worth it especially if you are a lover of baseball

What a lovely way to honor Black history month. Such a informative place that demonstrates just one of many ways African Americans helped build this country.

Wow. This museum exceeded my expectations. A whole floor filled with baseball memorabilia from the beginnings of negro league baseball. An educational and emotional journey- I would recommend this to anyone- both baseball and non-baseball fans. My family loved every minute. A quick tip is that although the signs say "no photography", we clarified this with a woman that worked there and it means no flash photography. Take all the photos you want!

I flew to Kansas City for a conference and wanted to check out 18th and Vine. I had time to check out both the baseball museum and American Jazz Museum. I would highly recommend this museum that is packed full of amazing baseball history some of it focusing on local baseball history too. It's not huge, but well worth a visit. I would also recommend walking down the block south to see the Buck O'Neil mural. I also walked two blocks East to famous Arthur Bryant's BBQ a local joint with great food! I loved my visit to the historic jazz district!

Updated with a few pictures of the Museum. So much information inside! Well worth the visit.

My second time to the museum, my sons first. Located in the historic 18th & Vine district, it's such a cool layout that makes it easy to visualize what life was like for the ball players! I was also please to see a new addition to the exhibit, an area dedicated to the women players and owners of the league! If you can watch the movie at the beginning of the exhibit. The museum gives the history of the whole league, not just the more well known names. My son (11) loved museum also, I don't know that I'd take much younger children than that, there's lot to read as you walk through. My favorite part is the replica of a baseball diamond, filled with statues of players ! You can run them if you want to! So much to see, a must stop if you're in Kansas City!

During my visit we found a Groupon for negro league museum and decide to check it out. The museum and set up was amazing; the timeline walked you through a post time before the negro league until the end it end in the 60's. The walk through was educational and interesting. There even a theatre that plays a short documentary of when it began and the talent involved. The film is directed by James Earl Jones and it is called the "We are all star". Overall it was enjoyable and fun, we had a really go time learning about the history of African Americans in baseball. Definitely encourage all to check out this extraordinary exhibit.

lived in kc finally went just perfect great info nicely done great gift shop!

This was a museum that reeked full of largely forgotten parts of American history. Pity the Negro Leagues were overshadowed by the Major Leagues. Often times, the Negro Leagues had much better players, like Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell and Buck Leonard. They also had better nicknames than most Major Leaguers. Nicknames for baseball players are largely a lost art. The President of the Museum was also giving a tour at the same time me and my friends were touring the place. We ended up listening to most of the lecture he gave as he stopped at the makeshift field filled with famous Negro League players. The dude is admittedly a VERY GOOD storyteller of the history of a lost and forgotten era.

We were visiting from Texas and heard of this museum. It was a wonderful thing for our whole family to experience.

This weekend was a time to run around and see as much of Kansas City as we could in a limited time. However, our treatment by the staff really encouraged us to take our time and enjoy the experience. The presentation of exhibits was well organized with a good treatment of the facts. It really helped the audience to get a feel for how things were, "back in the day". Some of the exhibits made you feel like the inhabitants would be right back. I'm so glad that we were able to visit. What made the visit even more special was the fact that the visit was sponsored by the KC Royals and so admission was free. We did leave a donation but there wasn't any pressure to do so. The museum is definitely a must see if you're in the area.