One of the most visible things that NSDKC does is creating and installing the historical markers that are scattered by the dozens over the greater Kansas City area.  A review of current markers is as follows:

>

Image: The American Jazz Museum marker has been installed and a dedication program will be announced later this year.

• Liberty Arsenal – Placed and dedicated last November in partnership with the City of Liberty.
• American Jazz Museum – Presented to them last September at the Outstanding Kansas Citian event at the Kauffman Center and now installed in the public area behind the museum.  The cost was covered by a Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund grant.
• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – By the time you read this, it will have been ordered and may actually be in hand.  The marker will be presented at this year’s OKC event November 6 at Kauffman Stadium.  The cost is being covered by a Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund grant.  Both the Jazz and NLBM markers will likely be dedicated in mid-November, since they will be mounted side by side behind the museums.  Final arrangements will be forthcoming on that.
• Platte Purchase – The text is essentially completed but we are waiting on finalizing an outside partner arrangement in the Liberty, Missouri, area before we order it later this fall.

By the time you read this, the committee will be reviewing the requests we have to partner on other markers for next year. Our primary mission is to get markers erected at historic sites where none would likely happen.  In addition, it needs to be our design, our text - not for selfish reasons, but to be sure the text information is right.  We also want to be true to our 'brand' design, which is the traditional appearance of an NSDKC marker that the public has been accustomed to seeing.  Lastly, we seek out partners who can help us financially, not the other way around.  Partnering also forms relationships within the historical community.

As usual, my thanks to the members of this committee who work together with creative thinking and with great harmony and effectiveness, who are Chris Sizemore, Frank McMillian, Gary Hicks, Craig Crease, Ray Elder, Whitney Kerr, Jr. and Norine Accurso.

Ross Marshall, chair, Historic Markers Community Service Committee