The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum provides a comprehensive history of African American players and owners in one of America’s favorite sports. Through photo displays, informative plaques and films, it traces the history of the Negro leagues, which were made up predominantly of black and Latin American baseball players. Go on a self-guided tour that lasts about 1 hour to develop an appreciation of some of the world’s best hitters of all time.
View the timeline of African American history to see how it impacted baseball. The first professional Negro team was the Cuban Giants, initiated in 1885. Learn how the last league of its kind closed in 1962, when segregation of minorities was eliminated. Check out the various charts showing the positions of the teams in the Negro leagues from the 1920s.
Get a feel for the game by inspecting the old uniforms, gloves and other relics from decades ago. At the end of the tour is a highlight experience. Walk out onto a field with large bronze sculptures depicting 12 of the most famous players in the history of the Negro leagues. Don’t be surprised to feel as though you’re about to play ball with these stars of the game.
Note that the museum itself was set up in 1990 by a group of former players from the Negro leagues. Browse the shop for all types of baseball memorabilia.
Visit the museum Tuesday through Saturday from morning until early evening. It also opens on Sundays from noon. Purchase a ticket to enter and ask for discounts for seniors and kids.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is in the center of the 18th & Vine District. Ride a bus to a station just outside the attraction or arrive at the Kansas City railway station and walk east for 30 minutes to get here.
While in this district, check out other nearby landmarks such as the Kansas City Workhouse, the Belger Crane Yard Studios and Grove Park.
