DESCRIPTION: This two-and-a-half-story, shirtwaist-style home offers an interesting glimpse into the mind of renowned painter and sculptor Thomas Hart Benton. The house was the residence of the famous Missouri painter beginning in 1939 and has remained virtually untouched since his death in 1975. Guided tours of the site are offered Thursday through Monday.
ADDRESS: 3616 Belleview Ave., Kansas City, MO
LOCATION: Located in Midtown Kansas City, near Penn Valley Park.
PHONE: 816-931-5722
WEBSITE: https://mostateparks.com/park/thomas-hart-benton-home-and-studio-state-historic-site
HIGHLIGHTS:
HOURS: Mon. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ADMISSION: Guided tours are $5 for adults and $3.50 for children (ages 6-17). Children under 6 are free.
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 8,100
HISTORY: Benton is considered Missouri’s most renowned 20th-century artist. Born in Neosho, MO, in 1889, Benton moved to Kansas City in 1935 after pursuing art instruction in Chicago and Paris, serving a brief stretch in the Navy and teaching in New York City. The Bentons moved into the Belleview home in 1939, the same year their daughter Jessie was born. It was in this home and adjacent studio where Benton completed much of his work. On Jan. 19, 1975, he suffered a heart attack and died in his studio. Eleven weeks later, his wife Rita followed. The historic site is now maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: The 39th Street West business district houses several unique eateries, from Mongolian barbecue at Genghis Khan to burgers and gyros at KC Smoke Burger.
WHAT’S NEARBY: Kansas City’s two premier art museums—the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art—are a short drive away. Both museums are free and feature pieces by Benton.
WHAT’S NEW: A recently restored large Benton instructional drawing is now on display in the studio.
DID YOU KNOW: When he passed away, Benton was putting the finishing touches on a mural for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Although the piece now hangs in the Nashville museum, Benton died before he could sign it.
GROUP TOURS: Knowledgeable interpreters conduct guided tours of the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site. Tours are offered on the hour, except at 12:00 p.m.
PARKING: The Benton Home is in a residential area and parking is limited to the street.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Steve Sitton, historic site administrator, benton.home.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov or 816-931-5722