Kansas City History

As an 11-year-old, Sarah Rector became the richest Black child in America, but danger in Oklahoma led to her family moving to Kansas City. Rector’s story, long forgotten from the history books, is now the subject of the 2025 film “Sarah’s Oil.”

Mientras Estados Unidos se prepara para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026, es difícil recordar que el fútbol profesional en este país parecía un sueño imposible. Pero un empresario de Kansas City, más conocido como el fundador de los Chiefs, era un firme creyente. Desde los intentos fallidos de crear una liga nacional, pasando por la creación de la MLS y el primer estadio de fútbol de Estados Unidos, Lamar Hunt estuvo siempre presente.

In his new book "The Team That History Forgot," sportswriter Rick Gosselin highlights the story of one of the most exciting professional football teams of the 1960s: the Len Dawson-led Kansas City Chiefs.

As the United States prepares for the 2026 World Cup, it's hard to remember that professional soccer in this country once felt like an impossible dream. But one Kansas City businessman, better known as the founder of the Chiefs, was a steadfast believer. From the failed attempts at a national league, through the creation of MLS and the very first U.S. soccer stadium — Lamar Hunt was there.

Folly Theater staff have spent the week cleaning up after a break in left the 125-year-old venue badly damaged. After canceling last weekend's show, the Folly plans to reopen November 1.

Forty years ago this month, the comedic basketball troupe, the Harlem Globetrotters, added a woman to its roster. NPR's Ashley Montgomery has the story of legendary athlete Lynette Woodard, a Wichita native and University of Kansas star.

The University of Missouri–Kansas City recently restored one of the last remaining murals of a nearly forgotten Spanish painter. Hear the story of Luis Quintanilla and how he ended up in Kansas City.

The state's new congressional map uses Troost Avenue as a dividing line, and groups majority Black neighborhoods in east Kansas City with rural communities in the middle of the state. Community leaders worry the new divide will mean the needs of underserved urban neighborhoods go ignored.

El artista español Luis Quintanilla huyó de la Guerra Civil Española para escapar de la persecución, pero la mayor parte de su obra fue destruida. Hoy en día, uno de los dos únicos murales que quedan, se encuentra en un rincón de la Universidad de Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Recién restaurada, la extraña y fascinante obra maestra de Quintanilla es un testimonio de los inmigrantes y del peligro del autoritarismo.

Artist Luis Quintanilla fled the Spanish Civil War to escape persecution, but most of his work was destroyed. Today, one of his two remaining murals sits in an otherwise ordinary corner of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Newly restored, Quintanilla’s bizarre and enthralling masterpiece stands as a testament to immigrants and the danger of authoritarianism.

At the Kansas City Renaissance Fair and beyond, you can explore historic arts and heritage crafts — including blacksmithing, armor and chainmail making, basket weaving and more — with local artisans, classes, and clubs.

Raquel Reyes’ family owns a paleteria in Kansas City, though her family lineage traces back to another famous American Girl doll. Her author, Angela Cervantes, is a Kansas City resident herself.