Located in the lobby of DST Systems Inc.'s Poindexter Building in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Garment District Museum offers a fascinating look into the region's rich fashion and manufacturing history. As part of the Kansas City Museum, this dedicated space honors a historic industry that once employed over 4,000 people from after World War I through the 1940s, when manufacturing garments became Kansas City's second largest industry and produced one out of every seven women's garments purchased in the United States.
Founded in 2002 by Ann Brownfield and Harvey Fried, the museum showcases a collection enriched by over 300 locally made garments and accessories donated by its founders, joining the Kansas City Museum's extensive archive of more than 20,000 historic clothing, textile, and costume items. During your visit, you will explore the legacy of local coat, suit, dress, hat, and children's wear manufacturing that originally began on the upper floors of nearby 1870s wholesale dry goods buildings, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Right across Broadway, you can also see Garment District Place Park, featuring a fountain and a striking 22-foot "Needle" sculpture erected as a tribute to the neighborhood's historic past.
What to see at Kansas City Garment District Museum
- Lobby exhibits inside DST Systems Inc.'s historic Poindexter Building
- Collection featuring over 300 Kansas City-made garments and accessories
- Historical insights into an industry that employed over 4,000 local workers
- Nearby 1870s historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Garment District Place Park across Broadway with a fountain and 22-foot "Needle" sculpture
Visiting tips
Be sure to walk across Broadway to Garment District Place Park to see the 22-foot "Needle" sculpture and fountain dedicated to the area's legacy.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Kansas City Garment District Museum is easy to reach on Kansas City’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Kansas City travel guide.
See the full Kansas City travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.