The Athenaeum Club House Click the pictures   to see them larger.

The Members of The Kansas City Athenaeum, organized in 1894 with the twin principles of study and service, take great pleasure in presenting our Clubhouse. For the first twenty years, the ladies of Kansas City's first Women's Club met in various churches and buildings. The inspiration to build the Club House came in 1907 when fire broke out in the Pepper Building as one hundred members were gathered on the fifth floor for their annual business meeting. The secretary gathered up the club's books and records in a tablecloth and carried them down the fire escape; the president and treasurer waited until all the others had been rescued before leaving the balcony. Although only one member was injured (she suffered burns on her ears by steam from water poured on the flames), the incident provided the impetus to build a clubhouse of their own. The Club House was constructed at a cost of $33,000, a sum raised by its five hundred enterprising members. One woman charged her husband ten cents to iron his shirts, and another charged her grown sons twenty cents to eat lunch at her house. Some members washed and ironed lace curtains for their neighbors, while others sold baked goods, eggs, canned goods, handmade garments and bedspreads. Contruction commenced in 1913 and the women celebrated paying off the mortgage in 1922. Design of the Club House was carefully considered, and Grecian architecture was chosen in keeping with the Athenaeum's name. Having an auditorium for large gatherings was a compelling feature in the building's design. Clear glass windows were indicated in the building's original design, but when the interior decorator suggested that stained glass windows could be installed for an additional $300, the recommendation was met with enthusiasm. This beautiful building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and has been the home of the Kansas City Athenaeum since its dedication in 1914. Through the years, in addition to its primary use as a Club House, many activities have been hosted here, including theatrical productions, dances, weddings, and receptions. The building was even used as a Red Cross work station during World War 1. The Ballroom /                      Auditorium An area that could graciously accomodate large gatherings was a determining factor in the building's design. This is accomplished in this spacious room. An elegant setting for a ball, a party, a theatrical performace, a reception, a lecture... The Auditorium is renowned for its acoustical quality. Notable speakers who have appeared on our stage include William Allen White, William Jennings Bryan, and Count Ilya Tolstoy who related the trials and misfortunes of his father, Leo Tolstoy. A radio was installed in 1937 so that a large assembly could hear the broadcast of the coronation of England's King George VI.     The stage Originally boasted a painted backdrop of a view of Kansas City’s Cliff Drive by William Brumbaugh of the Kansas City Scenic Co. A rose-colored velvet stage curtain was installed in 1917. The club symbol, the fleur des lis, was stenciled on the trim work of the stage and above the wainscot Clear glass windows were indicated in the building's original design, but when the interior decorator suggested that stained glass windows could be installed for an additional $300, the recommendation was met with enthusiasm. Matching Art-glass and bronze chandeliers were designed and constructed by member Emma Sanborn’s son Roy Sanborn. The Ballroom can accommodate 528 guests (246 seated). The Foyer & Parlors The Grand Foyer provides an impressive introduction to the Ballroom. The Foyer is flanked by The East Parlor & The West Parlor. The East Parlor at one time housed the office of the Athenaeum Club. As the Athenaeum membership rapidly grew toward its peak of more than nine hundred in 1926, it was changed to a classroom and office activities moved downstairs. Small departments held meetings in the West Parlor. Each Parlor can accommodate 48 guests (22 seated). (Use of the Foyer and Parlors is included with the rental of the Ballroom.) The Music (Balcony) Room The Kansas City Musical Club presented a rental proposal to the Athenaeum for use of the balcony overlooking the Auditorium before the construction of the Club House was completed. The architect honored their request for a platform for two pianos, and it became known as the Music Room because of the many recitals and musical programs presented there through the years by dozens of local music teachers. The balcony edge of the Music Room overlooks the Ballroom. A wall of leaded glass panes can be lowered when a sound or sight barrier is desired. Until recent years, Club membership was separated into departments of study such as Art, Literature, Music, or Philosophy. Its educational opportunities gained the Athenaeum a reputation as a women's university at a time in history when it was not easy for most women to attain a higher education. Traditionally, the department with the largest participation used the Music Room. The Music Room can accommodate 160 guests (100 seated). The Dining Room A street-level entrance makes the Dining Room the most used room in the Club House. It is convenient and more casual casual. A great place for meetings, luncheons and dinners; this room has been utilized for numerous fund-raisers, projects and receptions. Members use the Dining Room twice a month for our regular meeting, program and luncheons. Luncheon is still served on club china and white linen tablecloths. The stone fireplace, installed on the south wall in 1920, is the focal point of the alcove furnished as a conversation area, and has often been the backdrop for The Tea Room, located in the southeast corner of the Dining Room, is a setting for smaller gatherings and meetings. The Dining Room can accommodate 457 guests (213 seated). The north side of the first floor contains the commercial kitchen and operations of R.T.Salsman Catering. A back entrance and stairway leading to a room beside the stage facilitate outside caterers and service between the kitchen and the ballroom.