Home of The Story Center, a mission-enhancement program of Mid-Continent Public Library, the historic Woodneath home is a distinctive resource for MCPL customers. Originally constructed in 1855-56, the house was dedicated in November 2021 after an extensive, privately funded adaptive reuse project. The project created unique interior spaces designated for public use.
MCPL is committed to maximizing customer experiences of the Story Center and the home while maintaining stewardship of this significant cultural resource and using it in ways that complement the Story Center’s mission.
Crouch Family Reading Room
This room features historic furnishings, including a baby grand piano. Keeping with a traditional function of a “parlor,” the room is well suited for low-tech programs for small groups that prioritize conversation, such as book clubs, author talks, storytelling performances, recitals, and poetry readings.
Capacity: 10
Cost: $25 for two hours (the room is reserved in two-hour blocks)
Contact Mark Livengood, Story Center Director, to make a reservation.
(816) 883-4793
mlivengood@mymcpl.org
Named in honor of the family that acquired Woodneath in 1923 and sold the property to MCPL in 2008, the room was made possible by generous donations from John J. Crouch, William M. Crouch, Sara C. Peterson, Debbie Pryor, Diane Pryor Jones, and Chuck Pryor. The room is located on the ground floor of the house. The only door into and out of the room is 32 inches wide.
Programming Room
The programming room is designed for maximum flexibility. Furniture can be arranged in various ways according to customer needs and a podium and rolling monitor with an HDMI connection are available. The room is well suited for readings, book launches, storytelling sessions, writing and critique groups, and lectures.
Capacity: 20
Cost: $25 for two hours (the room is reserved in two-hour blocks)
Contact Mark Livengood, Story Center Director, to make a reservation.
(816) 883-4793
mlivengood@mymcpl.org
The Story Center Programming Room was made possible by a generous donation from the Edward F. Swinney Trust, Bank of America, Trustee. The room is located on the ground floor of the house, and the main door into and out of the room is 32 inches wide.
General Considerations
- Intended uses of reserved spaces must complement the mission of the Story Center to help people create, share, and connect with stories.
- Spaces cannot be reserved for individual work. The Woodneath branch library features several study rooms for this purpose.
- Reservations must be made with and coordinated by a member of the Story Center staff.
- Reservations must be made at least one month in advance; they cannot be made on a walk-up basis.
- Food is not permitted in the house; covered drinks are okay.
- The house does not have a bathroom or running water, which are available in the Woodneath branch library.
- Spaces are reservable for a minimum of two hours.
Accessibility
Four parking spots are reserved in the lot on the south side of the historic home. The Woodneath Library Center is accessible through sliding doors on the south side. A lift inside the library provides access to the cafe, which is directly across from the accessible public restrooms. Story Center staff are available to help operate the lift. Access to the ground floor of the historic home is through the cafe. There is a rubber ramp leading to the door that is 32 inches wide. Access to the second floor of the historic home is via an elevator that opens to the main concourse of the branch. Story Center staff are also available to help operate the elevator. For more information about accessibility, please contact Mark Livengood, Story Center Director, at (816) 883-4793 or mlivengood@mymcpl.org.