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Read All About the Best Literary Destinations in KC
The City of Fountains is also a fountain of knowledge for bookworms of all walks of life. There are many literary destinations in Kansas City, so Union Station’s got the inside track to find your favorite! Our picks offer several different ways to embrace your inner bibliophile, all held together by a common thread. These are the places KC goes to read, learn, and grow!
Prospero’s
Our list begins on 39th Street, where parking spots are usually just as packed as the shelves in Prospero’s bookstore! As you enter, you’ll quickly find unique signatures and titles on every shelf throughout this 4-story shop. While walking around the store, see if you can spot all of the windows in the floors! There are few literary destinations in Kansas City with the charm and character you’ll see on so many levels throughout this maze of musty gold.
The charm and community that surround Prospero’s can be felt within seconds of walking in. But Prospero’s has a story that’s worthy of its own novel! Amongst the worn floors, local art, and stacks of books, the story of KC’s most beloved bookstore unfolds as you explore.
Buying, Selling, and Trading History
Prospero’s is now a landmark for KC bookworms and artists alike, but that wouldn’t be possible without Tom Wayne and Will Leathem. On a couple barstools just 50 feet away from the entrance, these two dreamed up a haven for the arts and literary scene in KC. In 1998, Prospero’s opened its doors to anyone in need of a read.
For over a quarter century, Prospero’s has made its mark as one of the most significant literary destinations in Kansas City. In 2007, Prospero’s co-owner, Tom Wayne, fired up thousands of bibliophiles with his performance art piece titled BOOK BURNING. Inside Prospero’s, Tom lit a blaze of books in a barbeque grill as a satirical statement on the literal waste that contributes thousands of books to landfills every year. This set off a firestorm that lit up the literary industry as well as newspapers nationwide! Tom’s performance art is one of the key pieces that propelled a national push for more sustainable publishing practices.
Three years later, the store housed over 200 of KC’s prominent poets as they set the world record for the longest continual poetry reading (5 days nonstop). This stunningly long slam solidified the store as one of the most important literary destinations in Kansas City.
Prospero’s continues to serve KC by sheltering books under their awning 24/7, maintaining community libraries, and hosting weekly events. There’s truly no place like Prospero’s, so whether you’re in need of a read or just want to experience a Kansas City cultural landmark, head to the corner of 39th and Bell!
Harry Truman Library
The KC area is home to one of the most significant presidents in US history. So, we couldn’t leave his presidential library off our list! Of his notable accomplishments, President Truman aided in ending WWII, converted the US to a peacetime economy, and fought the spread of communism. To preserve and present Truman’s historic presidential materials, the National Archives and Records Administration established the library in 1957.
In addition to preserving documentation and policies surrounding the Truman presidency, the library also serves the community as a genealogical resource, museum, and much more! The Truman Presidential Library is home of the Civics for All of US initiative. This program provides courses that promote civic engagement and literacy for citizens of all ages. Through online and physical resources, this literary destination in Kansas City serves as one of the most significant beacons of education in the Midwest. Here is a must-see exhibit you have to check out while you’re there:
An Ordinary Man, His Extraordinary Journey
This permanent exhibit shares the history surrounding Truman’s journey, from working on the farm in rural Missouri to the forefront of US foreign policy. The exhibit begins by exploring Harry’s military service in WWI with his uniform, letters home, and a French 75 machine gun all on display.
As you make your way through the rest of the exhibit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by history. Artifacts and documents from Truman’s first four months in office include correspondence about ending WWII, the green safety plug from the first atomic bomb, and a cellophane origami crane created by a victim after the bombing of Nagasaki.
This exhibit also features artifacts and documents surrounding the change Truman championed throughout his presidency. From the Torah scroll representing Israel’s recognition in 1948 to documentation of the fight for fairness and the Korean War in his second term. The entire exhibit is a testament to Truman’s devotion to his country and equality.
Every piece of this exhibit shares the real stories and real artifacts that tell the incredible true story of “Give ‘em Hell, Harry.” Instead of simply reading about history, get up close and personal with it at this incredibly important literary destination in Kansas City!
Linda Hall Library
In the Kansas City literary culture, there’s one name just as famous as the Trumans. Since 1946, the Linda Hall Library continues to share knowledge with everyone who enters their hallowed selections. If you’re looking for rare, influential, and educational resources, there’s no better place to spend an afternoon!
This pillar of society amongst literary destinations in Kansas City was born from a $6 million grant from the Hall family in 1946 (that’s over $101 million today!) Their incredibly generous contribution was pivotal in promoting education throughout Kansas City in a post-war world. Today, the library continues to empower students, scholars, and lifelong learners as one of the most expansive science libraries in the Midwest. Here are a few places to explore on your visit:
The Arboretum
When the Hall family donated their family land to establish the library, they insisted that the grounds remained just as beautiful as the resources within the library walls. In their formal wishes, they stated, “The surrounding trees and grass shall add beauty and dignity” to the Library. For over 70 years, the Linda Hall Library has served a second purpose as an urban arboretum boasting over 300 trees, 130 species, and 11 champion trees.
The History of Science
This rare book room is one of the largest collections of science, engineering, and technology works in the entire world! The collection houses over 50,000 unique volumes of incredibly rare, original works that you won’t find anywhere else. If you do plan to visit this literary destination in Kansas City, make sure to get your research card and schedule your visit. Access to this collection is by appointment only!
The Future of Education
The Linda Hall Library continues to expand their offerings with online resources promoting career exploration in the STEM field! Their ongoing video series, How Do I Become?, is an amazing introduction for anyone interested in a career oriented in science, technology, engineering, or math. This series is a continuous collaborative effort, combining the knowledge of academic and professional scientists and engineers from around the world, available for free on Youtube!
Whether you’re exploring the arboretum or learning from the comfort of your couch, the Linda Hall Library is one of the most educational, accessible, and enjoyable literary destinations in KC! For anyone interested in STEM in Kansas City and around the nation, this is a must-see experience.
KC Central Library
Our list of literary destinations in Kansas City wouldn’t be complete without one of the most significant branches of our public library system! The Central branch is the main resource library for the entire Kansas City public library network and houses some of the city’s most precious documents. Here’s why you should support your local library!
The Form
If housing hundreds of thousands of documents, books, and records isn’t enough to impress you, the incredible architecture might! The main lobby of the Central Library is housed in the former home of First National Bank, painstakingly restored to its 1906 glory.
Below the main floor, the original vault now houses a movie theatre that regularly hosts free movie nights and special events. Throughout the main 4 stories, the Central branch seems like a typical Kansas City library. But the top floor offers an experience that is completely unique to Kansas City!
The Function
On the top floor, you’ll find one of the most significant literary destinations in Kansas City, the Missouri Valley Room. Here, genealogy records, historical documents, and educational resources remain perfectly preserved and free for everyone to enjoy. One-of-a-kind reads dating back to the inception of Kansas City are available by request at the front desk. This is the ultimate way to hold the history of our community in your hands, which is why our author regularly visits to research the historical topics in our blogs!
The Fun
While the main function of a community library is to educate and inform, the Central branch takes things even further by offering fun events every year! From story hour and classes to lectures and community outreach, there’s a lot of fun to be had at this literary destination in KC! There’s something for everyone to enjoy at your local library. So, no matter where you are, visit your local librarians, get a card, and check out the world of knowledge at your fingertips!
Union Station
Bibliophiles, history buffs, and travelers from all over the world recognize Union Station as one of the most significant literary destinations in Kansas City. What separates the station from other destinations on our list is that instead of reading about history, our visitors experience it firsthand!
Here, you can walk in the footsteps of authors, artists, and citizens who made Kansas City a haven for literature lovers around the world. Our halls have housed a historical cast of characters, including Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway, and more. So, while you’re reading into the history and culture of KC, we invite you to make some yourself! Plan your visit to start making memories right here. We’re excited to welcome you aboard!