Hallmark Visitors Center — Attraction in Kansas City

Only the Best Will Do-

As I continue to discover the world around me during the Big birthday year, I took a trip in my own backyard. I decided to find out more about the greeting card giant based in Kansas City. In 1910, a young entrepreneur by the name of Joyce Clyde Hall arrived by train, with two shoe boxes of postcards under his arm and little money in his pocket. The local YMCA became his home and office as he set out to make his dream come true. In January, 1915 with his brother Rollie at his side, the company, Halls Brothers was formed. But in the same year, a fire destroyed the office and inventory leaving only a salvageable safe and the brothers in debt. The devastation didn’t stop them but pushed the brothers forward as they purchased printing presses to create Valentines and Christmas cards to offer a public that desired more privacy in their correspondence. From the ashes, an idea for creating cards was born. It’s fun information like this that you’ll learn during your time at the Hallmark Visitor Center. You’ll also see the following: Displays that show the timeline of the company’s birth. How J.C. Hall was the first to design such things as card display cabinets and in 1924 the first cards with sound. How the Peanuts became a part of Hallmark cards in the 1960’s. You’ll see Christmas tree displays. Watch a bow being made. My favorites were the showcases of Santa Claus tree decorations and the history behind the creators of some of our favorite Hallmark ornaments. Overall: The self-guided tour is truly remarkable and rich in history. The best part of...

Super hard to find (go to the second level of Crown Plaza—do not try to find it through the mall!), no one there, such lovely staff and an unexpectedly interesting view into a family that has lived (and seemingly continues to live) all that is best in the American Dream. Definitely watch the little movie before going through the exhibition. It is humbling to see the story of how a young poor teenager with a box full of postcards leveraged it into a multi-billion dollar media empire—all in one lifetime. Also, the family somehow seemingly manages to raise children who are responsible, down to earth, civically minded business men who don’t seem to have been corrupted by greed. Not to say Hallmark isn’t wealthy—but you see the many ways the business has given back to American society, and what seems to be a continuing emphasis on quality and creativity. I, myself, don’t particularly enjoy Hallmark’s aesthetic—too clichéd and kitschy to my eyes—but I absolutely appreciate the story of what seems to me The America Dream Done Right. The corporate culture of wanting to do right by customers and staff and by America seems so quaint nowadays. Somehow we have devolved from that culture of business integrity to the present one of corporate excess, greed, screw the workers, make everything n China mentality. Frankly I found the museum (really the film) quite inspiring and I appreciate the model of a caring corporate model that it demonstrates. Thank you all for continuing to tell this story—and I do hope more people...

A seniorly employee at the front desk was unbelievably unfriendly & rude yesterday. Definitely not very welcoming. Perhaps Hallmark Visitors Center could find someone who likes visitors. There is a beautiful younger woman who is delightful & the stylish lady with red glasses was kind. But the other woman killed the experience. She clearly dislikes children and perhaps mothers. We were here a couple of years ago and were treated rudely at the front desk. Polite young children on a field trip were lined up quietly. The desk ladies that day were mean & asked the quiet students to clear away from the front desk. I explained that they were only lined up to say thank you for the bows & the visit. The “welcomer” said she would rather us leave and didn’t want children near her desk (which is the welcome counter). I don’t know if this is the same lady who was rude both times, but the visitors center definitely was unwelcoming on both days. Greeters & welcomes should be welcoming. Visitors centers shouldn’t dislike guests. I’m forever ruined on the slogan “when you care enough to send the very best”. Care & best we’re definitely not part of our Hallmark Visitors Center experience. An older couple said our students were delightful and very well behaved. Another lady said that the woman at the front desk clearly was in the wrong job & had been rude to her, too. I know she’s unhappy and I truly wish her the best, but must she make visitors feel...