After careful consideration, we will welcome guests back to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) starting June 16, 2020. Your visit will be different due to the spread of COVID-19, but safety is the top priority for our guests, staff and volunteers. In conjunction with our neighbor the American Jazz Museum (AJM), and guided by advice from health agencies at the local, state and federal level, the Museum has adjusted its operations to provide a safe opportunity for you to visit.
MODIFIED HOURS
The Museum will reduce its hours, open from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday-Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. and NOON-4:00 pm on Sundays. Museum Galleries will be closed on Mondays and Labor Day.
SAFE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
In accordance with city regulations, the Museums cannot operate at full occupancy during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Thus, we have implemented changes for purchasing tickets, moving through exhibitions, and for shopping. Some of these new policies have been designed in partnership with our building neighbor, the American Jazz Museum (AJM) to accommodate safe traffic flow inside the Museums at 18th & Vine Complex.
Walk-up visiting is strongly discouraged without advanced reservations. There is a new process in place for visiting the museum. Please read the details carefully.
MUSEUM PASSPORTS/TIMED VISITOR SESSIONS
The Museum Complex now requires all patrons (including museum members and those just using the Museum Store) to register a time to visitor. There will be one session on Tuesday-Thursday, two timed sessions on Fridays & Saturdays (10:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 5:00pm) and one session on Sunday for visitors to access the building. The time before, in-between, and after sessions will see the museum closed to public access in order to sanitize the building.
NLBM and AJM now share a joint site on Eventbrite featuring available times with attendance limitations where you can reserve a Museum “PASSPORT.” The Passport is free but is NOT a ticket to the museum. RESERVE YOUR PASSPORT AT THIS LINK: https://jazzandbaseballkc.eventbrite.com .
Guests are strongly encouraged to reserve Passports in advanced to guarantee entrance at your preferred time. You will be able to see on Eventbrite the number of available spaces remaining in a session. Without the advanced registration, there are no guarantees that you will be allowed in the building if you arrive for a visit.
This is a required reservation to be in the building. There are no exceptions to enter the building. You will be asked for contact information for yourself and your guests and there will be limits on the number of people that can enter on one reservation.
ADMISSIONS AND TICKETS
Admission to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is an easy and contactless process.
Show your tickets when you arrive to the Museums Complex, which will be emailed to you after you complete your purchase. You are strongly encouraged to do this in advance to guarantee entry.
Passport and Advanced ticket purchases ensure a faster, more seamless and contact-less experience to enter the museum. You will be unable to enter the building prior to the start time of your Passport session but may arrive at any time during the session. However, you will need to leave the interior of the Museum by the conclusion of the Passport session time.
Please note that group tour reservations and guided public tours are not unavailable at this time.
GALLERIES/SPACES
The Field of Legends, Extra Inning Museum Store, and Changing Gallery are all open for guests to enjoy, but with social distancing encouraged and limitations on occupancy. However, areas where there was seating previously may be restricted.
The Grandstand Theater will not show films at this time. The Press Box/Diamond Theater will continue to show its film, but with limitations on seating in the space. Interactive elements that require touching of items, such as touchscreen displays, are not available.
CLEANLINESS/SANITIZING
You will see the following:
Increased frequency of cleaning throughout the day and in between timed sessions.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
Staff and volunteers will wear masks/face coverings and gloves in public spaces.
Installation of plexiglass in areas where transactions occur.
Staff/volunteers are required to remain home in the event of illness
LIMITS TO GUEST AMENITIES
Water fountains will be unavailable
Checking of coats, backpacks, luggage, etc. will be unavailable, so please leave your possessions locked in your car or at home.
The exception to allowable bags would include baby bags/strollers. All bags could be subject to search by security.
FAQ’s
WHY ARE THE MUSEUM FILMS CLOSED?
The theater areas are not accessible in conjunction with maintaining guidelines for social distancing. When public health officials determine that social distancing is no longer necessary, we will reopen these elements.
WHY DO YOU HAVE LIMITED TIMES WHEN I CAN VISIT?
Due to city regulations on occupancy levels, we are only able to have a fraction of guests in the building at any time. This governs both NLBM and AJM combined. Most visitors spend up to 2 hours in the Museum. Because of that, we wanted to create separate times when guests could visit so that the largest number of guests would be able to experience the museums. Additionally, there is a gap between each session which allows staff to clean and sanitize the building.
DO I NEED TO BUY MY TICKET ONLINE IN ADVANCE?
No, but we would strongly encourage you to purchase tickets in advance. By reserving your Passport and purchasing your tickets in advance, you will guarantee the ability to visit on your preferred date/time. Because the Museum is subject to lower occupancy levels due to city regulations, it’s possible we will reach our maximum occupancy at any time. When that occurs, we will be unable to allow additional visitors into the Museum. All Passport reservations will be honored before walk-up visitors.
I BOUGHT A TICKET IN ADVANCE ONLINE – DO I NEED TO WAIT IN LINE TO GET A TICKET?
Advanced Passport and Ticket purchases move you through the experience faster. When buying a ticket online, you will receive an email confirmation with your ticket. There may be a short line to enter, but you won’t have to wait as long as others who purchased in advanced. Simply show an attendant your ticket on a mobile device or print your ticket at home and bring it with you.
I’M A MEMBER OF THE MUSEUM, CAN I STILL VISIT?
Yes! However, you still must register yourself and guests for a Passport to visit the museum. You can then show your valid membership card at the museum entrance to enter. It may be difficult to immediately check your membership status at the door, so make sure you have your card before you arrive. Like all guests, we would strongly encourage register for the Passport to guarantee your preferred date/time to visit.
ARE YOU STILL ACCEPTING CASH?
We prefer credit cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover for contact-less transactions, but will accept your cash for purchases.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A MASK OR GLOVES WHEN I VISIT?
A mask is required and mandatory by ALL visitors. Our staff and volunteers will use masks and gloves in all public spaces. We would encourage all guests to take preventative measures to ensure the well-being of other guests.
ARE YOU STILL DOING PROGRAMS, EVENTS, EVENT RENTALS?
No. We have suspended offering programs, events, and event rentals at this time.
ARE YOU STILL SCHEDULING GROUP TOURS AND SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS?
No. We have also suspended scheduling of group tours and field trip groups at this time.
I’M NOT COMFORTABLE VISITING AT THIS TIME, IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO TO HELP?
Yes you can! The closure of the museum had a tremendous negative impact on revenue and our ability to provide programming. However, we do enjoy the support of great members and generous patrons. We welcome your donation and/or membership as well to the NLBM. Link here to learn more https://nlbm.com/donations/