Garment District Museum, Kansas City

The Garment District Museum, located in the lobby of the historic Pointdexter Building in Kansas City, offers a captivating glimpse into the rich history of the Kansas City Garment District. Established in 2002 by Harvey Fried and Ann Brownfield Fried, the museum showcases a remarkable collection of old photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that vividly depict the district's architectural evolution, interior designs, and bustling work environment during its heyday.

The museum's exhibits are a testament to the diverse array of businesses that thrived in the district, featuring an impressive selection of clothing items such as dresses, coats, hats, and shoes. Reflecting the district's vibrant past, the displays change with the seasons, ensuring that each visit offers a fresh perspective on the fashion trends of the time.

In 2015, founders Fried and Brownfield retired from the museum's daily operations and generously donated over 300 locally-made garments and accessories to the Kansas City Museum, enhancing its vast collection of more than 20,000 historical clothing, textiles, and costumes.

The Garment District's legacy is also celebrated across the street at the Garment District Place Park, dedicated in 2010 by Kansas City's Parks and Recreation Department. The park features a striking 22-foot "Needle" sculpture and a fountain, symbolizing the district's significance to the city's industrial history.

Surrounding the museum are historic buildings from the 1870s, many on the National Register of Historic Places. The district thrived in the early 20th century, with garment manufacturing occupying the upper floors of wholesale buildings. By the 1920s-1940s, the industry employed over 4,000 people, making one in every seven dresses worn by women in the U.S. At its peak, it was Kansas City's second-largest employer, highlighting the district's economic and cultural significance.