Yale 1961 Mini Reunion

July 15, 2021

Dear Classmates and Friends,

Kansas City grew rapidly following the Civil War, largely losing its Southern identity.  The placement of the Hannibal & St Joseph railroad bridge over the Missouri River brought about significant growth.  The population exploded after 1869 when the Hannibal Bridge opened, prompting the name change to Kansas City in1889 and the extension of the city limits.  Architect George Kessler brought Kansas City to the forefront of the City Beautiful movement offering a network of boulevards and parks allowing new neighborhoods to accommodate the city’s largest residents of palatial proportions.  

Pendergast was the true political machine.  Tom Pendergast dominated the city by 1925 with large structures such as Kansas City City Hall and the Jackson County Courthouse built under his watch.  But his era ended in 1939 when his “big-city” boss ways ended with a guilty plea of Federal tax evasion.  His legend remains, and through the years the negative has allowed for great stories of the days of prohibition in Kansas City.

Through the years Kansas City and the surrounding areas have seen a vast growth, enjoying a five times growth in population size from 1940-1970.  The 21^st century has led to a redevelopment of downtown Kansas City with new performance centers, sporting arena, and the conversion of downtown office buildings to residences.  Kansas City ranks as the 6^th fastest growing downtown in America.

Kansas City is excited to host the Yale Class of 1961 Mini Reunion, October 14-17, 2021.  A full weekend has been planned offering only a hint of what this great city has to offer.  During this time it is our hope you will enjoy your continued friendships through this gathering.  As the COVID-19 Pandemic has kept us apart, it is our hope that by using safe practices, this reunion will be a happy and healthy experience.

Below you will find an agenda that will expose you to the art, presidential history, business and the memorialization of times gone by.  We have arranged for many of your experiences to be in a private setting, further being ever mindful of healthy precautions.  Many of the venues are the only venue of their kind in the nation.  From the National World War I Museum & Monument, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, American Negro Leagues Baseball Museum/American Jazz Museum and the opportunity to see the Auschwitz: Not Long Ago.  Not Far Away. Exhibition which is only offered in two American cities—New York, New York and Kansas City, Missouri.  

You will taste the ever famous long smoked barbecue with a robust sauce and perhaps a chance to sip a bit of Tom’s hard liquor selections from the ever famous Tom Pendergast Tom’s Town Distillery.  Kansas City is the City of Fountains and is said to have more fountains than Rome.  There are fountains throughout the city, with some of the most iconic located on the famous Country Club Plaza shopping district fashioned after Seville, Spain.

For those who love art you will be in heaven with the world renowned Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum continues to offer free admission allowing for unparalleled opportunities for everyone to enjoy.  This ideology comes from the founders.  William Rockhill Nelson, founder of the Kansas City Star, was convinced that for a city to be truly civilized, art and culture were necessities.  Upon his death in 1915 the bulk of his estate was used to purchase works of art.  Kansas City School teacher Mary McAfee Atkins had similar aspirations.  She provided the city with approximately one-third of her million dollar estate to purchase the land for a public art museum.  The Nelson and Atkins’ combined legacy for the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and the Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts opening December 11, 1933. Today the Nelson-Atkins welcomes 500,000 visitors a year.

As previous mini reunions have offered an ADD ON, there are numerous day trips that could be offered; however, requests to attend a performance at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center have led us to recommend a luncheon overlooking the Kansas City skyline followed by the matinee performance of the Kansas City Ballet, Celt. OR you can relax while enjoying the beauty of Powell Gardens—970 acres with eight themed display gardens, a nature trail, and public buildings designed by architects E. Fay Jones, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright and his partner Maurice Jennings.  This date also is the Fall Harvest Days: Gather in the Gardens Festival.

The saying that “there is no free lunch” is true.  Jamie McLane suggested that there should be one lunch included during the mini.  We have been able to schedule an additional venue (including lunch)—a docent guided tour of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.  This has increased the reunion cost from $225 (as listed in the email blast) to $300.  Registration will be limited to 90 registrants.  The registration deadline is September 7, 2021.  It is recommended that all registrants be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 for the health and safety of all attendees.

Thursday evening will be a Welcome Reception, light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at the President Hotel Mezzanine.  Lunch will be provided Friday; Saturday lunch will be on your own.  Breakfast will be a full breakfast and is included both Friday and Saturday.  Dinner will be included Friday and Saturday evenings.

Hotel Information: A limited block of rooms have been reserved (through September 14, 2021) at the Hilton President in Kansas City.  Recognized by Historic Hotels of America, the President Hotel has been an iconic part of the Kansas City’s Power and Light District since 1926.  The famous Drum Room lounge has drawn the likes of Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, and Benny Goodman.  

Bus transportation throughout the course of the reunion will begin at and return to the President Hotel. The public streetcar provides transportation to areas around the hotel and runs 24/7 and is FREE.

Hotel Specifics:    Hilton President Kansas City

                          1329 Baltimore, Kansas City MO 64105

                          816-221-9490  

                          Rooms:  $179.00 per night (plus taxes)

                          For Reservations:

                          Call 1-800-HILTONS, Group “YCR61”

                          OR Kansas City 816-221-9490, Group “Yale Class of 1961”

Dress:  Casual dress is appropriate for all daytime activities.  Jackets and ties are not required for the Friday evening dinner but a jacket is preferred for Saturday evening.  Both Friday and Saturday evenings include time to view exhibits of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and the National World War I Museum, so comfortable shoes would be suggested.

Travel: Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is approximately 20 minutes from the hotel.  Kansas City is the heart of America and most flights from either coast will take approximately 2 hours.  If you prefer to drive and see the beautiful fall colors of the Midwest, parking/valet parking is available at the hotel–$24.00 for self-parking and $26.00 for valet parking with secured, covered parking with in/out privileges.

Registration: To register for the Kansas City Mini Reunion, visit: https://bit.ly/YC1961KCMO. If you have questions or issues registering online, please reply to this email or contact Janene Castaldi at janene.castaldi@yale.edu or (203) 432-8016.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kansas City.  Missouri is the “Show Me” state and that is exactly what we hope to accomplish during this Mini Reunion.  Let us Show You Kansas City!

Sincerely,

Ed and Patrice Robertson, Reunion Co-Chairs