HALLMARK VISITORS CENTER

DESCRIPTION: For more than 100 years, family-owned Hallmark Cards, Inc., has been dedicated to creating a more emotionally connected world. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company operates a diversified portfolio of businesses. From the timeline walking visitors through Hallmark’s humble beginnings, to famous collaborations with U.S. presidents, world leaders, and famous artists, to samples of our current products customers have grown to love, come visit and be immersed in the world of Hallmark at the Hallmark Visitors Center. 

ADDRESS: 290 E 25th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

PHONE: 816-274-3613

WEBSITE: www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Exhibits share the stories of Hallmark history, brand partnerships, creative departments, and innovations of the family-owned company.
• A timeline documenting the evolution of Hallmark’s products over nine decades, including contributions by Walt Disney, Norman Rockwell and Maya Angelou.
• The J.C. Hall Christmas Tree Collection – For years, Hallmark employees fashioned giant Christmas cards as holiday gifts for Hallmark founder J.C. Hall. In 1966, the tradition evolved into creating and decorating a life-sized Christmas tree. Each year the tree was unveiled in Mr. Hall’s office during the last working days before Christmas.
• “Coming from the Heart”—a 13-minute film explaining how the Hallmark artists find their creative inspirations.
• The Hallmark Hall of Fame exhibit features classic clips from television’s most honored series.

HOURS: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADMISSION: Free. Reservations suggested for large groups.

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: Approximately 125,000.

HISTORY: Opened to the public during Hallmark’s 75th anniversary in 1985, the Hallmark Visitors Center chronicles the company’s transformation from founder J.C. Hall’s two shoe boxes of inventory to its reputation as an international icon. Since its opening, the Hallmark Visitors Center has greeted more than 4.3 million visitors.

WHERE TO EAT: The surrounding Crown Center offers many dining options, including Spin Pizza, La Fuente, Burnt End BBQ, Pak Ling and Unforked.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Crown Center shops, Hall’s department store, WWI Museum, Federal Reserve Bank, Union Station

ANNUAL/SPECIAL EVENTS: Live Hallmark artist presentations (second Fridays), the Hallmark Christmas Experience

DID YOU KNOW: We represent Hallmark Cards, Hallmark Media, and Crayola as well as our licensed products for Disney, Warner Bros, Peanuts, Mattel, Dr. Seuss, and many more.

DON'T FORGET: In our theater, view a 14 minute short film about the Hall family and the evolution of Hallmark, a global company.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the KC Streetcar to Union Station or the Ride KC MAX bus to the Crown Center stop.

PARKING: Parking in the Crown Center parking garage, 2450 Grand Blvd., is free for the first three hours with validation.

GROUP TOURS: Reservations are encouraged for groups of 15 or more. Please visit hallmarkvisitorscenter.com to complete the online reservation request form.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Tina McGuire, Crown Center Marketing Director, tina.mcguire@hallmark.com