Groundbreaking: September 14, 2020
Dedication Ceremony: August 12, 2022
8900 NE Flintlock Road
Kansas City, MO 64157
Construction on the new 236-seat Woodneath Library Center Auditorium began on September 14, 2020 at the Woodneath Library Center (8900 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, Mo.). The project was completed in Winter 2021, but has not hosted public programs due to delays in delivery of technical equipment.
The new facility, which offers a range of technology and audiovisual capabilities, was built as part of the Library’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Woodneath Homecoming Weekend August 12-13
Join MCPL for a celebration at the Woodneath Library Center, and explore all the new available amenities! The celebration will include free festivities and programs for all ages as well as an opportunity to explore the brand-new 236-seat auditorium and the recently transformed historic home on the property.
Friday, August 12
- 9:00 a.m. – Woodneath Library Center Auditorium Ribbon-Cutting
Join Library leadership and local officials for a short program, followed by refreshments and live music by The Wires. Open to the public. Registration is not required.
- 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. - Prairies and Antiquities: Projection Mapping the Historic Woodneath Home
In Prairies and Antiquities, new media artist Katina Bitsicas explores the history and natural landscape of the Woodneath home and surrounding acreage by projection mapping new and archival photographs and videos onto the house. With the prairie landscape as background, each window of the home brings the place to life at night by featuring images and objects that express aspects of Woodneath’s history. This is an outdoor program, weather permitting.
Saturday, August 13
- 10:30 a.m. – At Home with Naomi Crouch
Join Mrs. Naomi Crouch, as portrayed by storyteller Mary L. Schmidt, in the historic home as she shares her memories of living and raising a family at Woodneath during the twentieth century. Space is limited and registration is required.
- 11:00 a.m. – Off the Deep End
Join Stone Lion Puppet Theater in the Woodneath Auditorium and discover the wonder of our oceans and why we need to protect them. Meet trash-talking puppets including a sea turtle, dolphins, and more as you journey into the ocean deep. Registration is required.
- 1:00 p.m. – Architectural Tour of Historic Woodneath House
This tour with Trudy Faulkner, Vice President of Strata Architecture + Planning, who will give an inside look at the historic Woodneath home. Faulkner will describe the extensive adaptive reuse project that turned the original house, built in 1855-1856, into a dynamic space for MCPL’s Story Center. Space is limited and registration is required.
- 3:30 p.m. – Artist Talk with New Media Artist Katina Bitsicas
New Media artist Katina Bitsicas will discuss her projection map inside the historic home. Space is limited and reservations are required.
- 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. Prairies and Antiquities: Projection Mapping the Historic Woodneath Home
Throughout the weekend
Woodneath Library Center Trails – Explore the outdoor trails and seating areas circling the historic grounds, which are continuing to receive enhancements as the Library strives to preserve the natural, cultural, and agricultural history of the property.
Tours of The Story Center historic home will be available on Friday, August 12. Groups of more than 10 people are asked to schedule their tours in advance by contacting The Story Center staff.
The Woodneath Auditorium will be available for viewing throughout the weekend when The Story Center is open.
Your New Library Experience Is Coming!
The new 236-seat, state-of-the art auditorium with overflow seating for 200+ additional attendees will accommodate large presentations and events, with flexible seating options and exceptional audiovisual capabilities. The auditorium, adjacent to the historic home, has a separate entrance.
In addition to the auditorium, this project will complete the Woodneath Masterplan including the construction of several other new features nearby on the grounds, including an outdoor amphitheater for smaller events as well as:
- A stepped outdoor plaza connecting the existing library to the new auditorium
- A cultural feature near the site of the old barn and silo telling the history of the property
- Woodneath Library Center History Trail with educational markers
- Outdoor meeting space or “council rings” adjacent to the trail
- Expanded parking for the existing library and new auditorium