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Englewood Theater Community Archiving Day

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April 17, 2025

Join the Midwest Genealogy Center and the Friends of Englewood Theater for a special community archiving event.

Saturday, May 17, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Englewood Arts Center

On Saturday, May 17th at the Englewood Arts Center in Independence, join us in celebrating the rich history of Independence’s Englewood Theater, the K.C. Opry, and the Ben Franklin Store. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to the Midwest Genealogy Center’s digital archive by recording oral histories and scanning on-site their photographs, documents, and memorabilia related to these historic venues.

How to Get Involved

This event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring a maximum of 5 items, and all will receive digital copies of their scanned materials on a complementary flash drive, while supplies last. Those who wish to record an oral history about their memories of the theater can register for 15-minute time slots. For those bringing materials to scan, walk-ins are allowed, but registration in advance is strongly encouraged.

If you performed at the K.C. Opry, worked at the Englewood Theater or Ben Franklin Store, or have other memorable experiences at these locations that you’d like to share, we invite you to come and tell your story!

This is a free in-person-only event. Use the links below to register.

Photo courtesy of the Jackson County Historical Society.

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Scan your materials

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Record your story

Record your story

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About the Englewood Theater

About the Englewood Theater

The Englewood Theater first opened its doors in the summer of 1949 with a premiere showing of “Colorado Territory,” starring Joel McCrea and Virginia Mayo, which drew a crowd of over 4,000 people. In the 76 years since, the theater’s 60-foot marquee — along with the Ben Franklin five and dime next door — has been a familiar and enduring landmark for those living in Englewood neighborhood, even as the property changed hands and purposes over time. 

Many folks in the Kansas City area might also remember the theater as the KC Opry, a live music venue operated by Carlton “Tuffy” Williams starting in the 1980s featuring country music artists like Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, and Garth Brooks. After nearly 60 years of entertainment, the Englewood Theater closed its doors in 2007.

Now, a local non-profit, The Friends of Englewood Theater, is endeavoring to restore the theater and the Ben Franklin and reimagine how these spaces might be used by the community. Due to its history and unique International Style architecture, the Englewood Theater is eligible for registration on the National Register of Historic Places. With contributions from the community, the Friends of Englewood Theater hope to preserve the rich history of the Englewood Theater and Ben Franklin store while also looking to the next chapter of these historic venues. Learn more about the mission of The Friends of Englewood Theater and the history of the theater at englewoodtheater.org.

Photo courtesy of the Friends of Englewood Theater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Community Archiving Day happening?

At the Englewood Arts Center, located at 10901 E Winner Rd, Independence, Missouri.

What is the Midwest Genealogy Center?

The Midwest Genealogy Center, a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library system, is the largest, free-standing public family history library in the United States. Located in Independence, Missouri, MGC features 52,000 square feet of space in that houses all the free resources needed to research your family history, including millions of materials both online and on-site that span the globe.

What if I cannot attend the event but would like to contribute materials to the digital archives?

The Midwest Genealogy Center will continue accepting contributions from the public through the end of June 2025. If you’re interested in donating items after the event, please contact us at mgc@mymcpl.org or call us at 816-252-7228 to make arrangements.

What kind of items can I bring to scan?

Please limit your materials to five items — these can be photos, programs, advertisements, or other paper memorabilia related to the Englewood Theater or Ben Franklin store. These items cannot exceed 8.5 X 11.7 inches in size. If you have oversized items, please contact us at mgc@mymcpl.org or call us at 816-252-7228 to discuss options.

Can I have my items scanned without donating them to the Midwest Genealogy Center’s digital archive?

This event is focused on building a digital archive that preserves and shares the history of the Englewood community. While we understand the personal value of your materials, participation in this event includes contributing digital copies to the archive so they can be made accessible for public research and historical preservation. We appreciate your willingness to help tell the story of Englewood for future generations. To explore more options for digitization, check out the Midwest Genealogy Center’s Memory Lab or Tell Me a Story program.

How will I receive the digital copies of my scanned items?

Each participant will receive the digital copies of their scanned items on a free flash drive provided by the Mid-Continent Public Library, while supplies last. In the event of a supply shortage, a flash drive containing their digitized files will be mailed to participants, free of charge.

How will I receive a copy of my oral history recording?

Each oral history will be processed by Midwest Genealogy Center staff following the community archiving event. A flash drive of their processed oral history recording will be mailed to participants, free of charge.

Is there any charge for this service?

There are no fees associated with this event.

Are you able to accommodate patrons with a disability?

Yes. The Englewood Arts Center is wheelchair accessible, and there is accessible parking nearby. Please let us know if you need special seating.

Where can I contact the organizer with any other questions?

ksmith@mymcpl.org | (816)252-7228

Memory Lab

Memory Lab

Get started digitizing your memories.

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Tell Me a Story Oral History

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Genealogy Gallery

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