Exhibits & Collections | Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center — Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & State Museum

Explore Our Past & Present Collection

Rex Purefoy: Hollywood Cowboy Collection

Rex Purefoy wearing a cowboy hat and an orange Western shirt with embroidery, riding a decorated black and white horse. In the background, there is a sculpture with large gold-colored abstract shapes and greenery with trees.

Rex Purefoy dressed in traditional clothing, including a large white hat and orange fringed shirt, gently touching the nose of a decorated black horse with a white blaze on its face, set against a background of green trees.

Collage of various people, including some in cowboy hats, historical figures, a person in a lion costume, and others, at an outdoor event or festival.

Display case with framed photographs, cowboy boots, and western-themed items.

A street parade scene with Rex Purefoy dressed as a cowboy riding a horse, surrounded by a crowd of children and adults. The background features a red and white gas station and brick buildings.

Display of vintage and modern guitars, a saddle with decorative metalwork, jewelry, and posters, all enclosed by a red velvet rope at a museum exhibit.

Display of western cowboy fashion with a focus on a red jacket featuring a large embroidered Native American chief with a feather headdress. Alongside, on the left, there is a white suit with black stitching details, and on the right, a black jacket

Rex Purefoy dressed in a bright orange Western shirt with floral embroidery and pearl accents, wearing a star-shaped brooch, white cowboy hat with a turquoise and silver buckle, walking outdoors with a horse.

Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit

Historical display case featuring Buffalo Soldiers artifacts including a uniform, figurines of soldiers, a large black-and-white portrait of a man in a military hat, various paintings depicting battles about historical soldiers.

Display case featuring military memorabilia including mannequins dressed in military uniforms, framed photos, a miniature horse sculpture, medals, a black and gold framed display labeled "Black Buffalo Soldiers," and various framed documents and phot

Gallery wall with paintings of Buffalo Soldiers and scenes, with wooden tables and chairs in front.

"World of Art" Exhibit by KC Local Artist Joseph Smith

An art gallery with framed artworks on the walls, a display case with sculptures, and informational signs on stands.

Painting of a smiling man with a beard, dark hair, dressed in traditional clothing with patterns, and a large blue-green feather in his hair.

A surreal painting of a standing man with dark hair, bare-chested and wearing purple cloth around his waist, holding grapes in one hand. The background features clouds, planets, and celestial bodies in space.

Abstract painting of a motorcycle's front view showing the handlebars, headlight, and front fork with vivid colors and stylized details.

Spirit of Freedom Fountain

A water feature with a small waterfall cascading over stacked rocks, situated in front of a modern brick building with windows. Green trees and a body of water are in the foreground.

A large, modern sculpture resembling flames, made of golden metal, is situated on a raised platform with steps. It is set against a twilight sky with some clouds and city lights in the background, and there's a leafless tree on the right side.

Benches of Honor

Step outside onto our patio and into a space where history rests in quiet dignity. The Benches of Honor stand as a permanent tribute to those individuals whose lives, service, and sacrifice helped shape the African-American community in Kansas City and beyond. Each bench bears the name of those whose legacy lives on through the work of this Center:

James Wilson, Senator Yvonne S. Wilson, Dr. Gertrude H. Keith, Senator Mary Groves Bland, Rosa James, Wilhelmina L. Stewart, and

The Ladies of the Fountain

Take a moment. Sit where history sits. Their stories are woven into the very ground beneath this Center, and their names deserve to be spoken, read, and remembered.