Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- mostateparks.com(816) 931-5722
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site is a historic site in Jackson County, in Westwood.
The park supports historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor center | Thu–Sat | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Sun | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — | |
| Tue, Wed | Closed | — | |
| Other | Home and Studio – Guided Tours Only: To experience the inside of either the home or the studio in person, you must join a guided tour. There are no self-guided tours. Groups of 15 more should call the site office at 816-931-5722 at least two weeks in advance to schedule a tour. Smaller groups have the option to either arrange their tour upon arrival at the visitor center or reserve their tour online in advance. Guided tours begin at the times listed below. April 1 through Oct. 31: Monday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. No tours Tuesday and Wednesday: Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. No tours Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. | ||
| Office | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Park | 2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday. | ||
Official wording
Visitor Center and Historic Site Grounds, Year-round: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Home and Studio – Guided Tours Only: To experience the inside of either the home or the studio in person, you must join a guided tour. There are no self-guided tours. Groups of 15 more should call the site office at 816-931-5722 at least two weeks in advance to schedule a tour. Smaller groups have the option to either arrange their tour upon arrival at the visitor center or reserve their tour online in advance. Guided tours begin at the times listed below. April 1 through Oct. 31: Monday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. No tours Tuesday and Wednesday: Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. No tours Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Historic Site Office - Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio Access to the site office is by appointment only. However, team members are available to answer phone calls and emails during the following hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Thursday through Sunday, year-round
2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets welcome; leash no longer than 10 feet at all times; no more than two dogs per campsite recommended; pets not allowed in buildings (except Cabins for Canines units), public swimming areas or waters reserved for fishing.
Statewide rule from Missouri's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Fees apply to camping, lodging and some tours (e.g. cave tours).
Statewide fee rule from Missouri's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Missouri State Parks reservation system (UseDirect / Tyler, 'ICampMO')
- Phone
- 877-422-6766 (877-ICampMO)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursRanger and interpretive programs
Accessibility
You’ll find this jewel located in the center of an old subdivision filled with huge trees and beautiful houses. Parking is curbside on a hill with concrete sidewalks and seven steps leading to the house and studio. Alternatively, visitors who are unable to access stairs may take the driveway to the site office located in the back. Staff will open the gate for you. Just let them know you’re there, or that you are coming.
The driveway area is paved in rough cobblestone that has a 4.2% slope. Some visitors may need assistance.
Historic Site Office
The site office contains pictures, artwork and information on Thomas Hart Benton and is the location for the start of the tour.
Studio
First on the tour is Benton’s studio, which has been kept unchanged since his death in 1975. The studio is one large, well-lit room with a wood floor. There are two steps to the door; a portable ramp will be provided for visitors who need assistance.
Read more from the park
A virtual tour provides remote access to the studio for those who are unable to visit the historic site in person.
Thomas Hart Benton Home
There is 25 feet of cobblestone driveway with a 2% slope between the studio and the house. A railed ramp leads to the porch, where entry to the house is easy through the double door. The main floor is accessible, with wide doorways and plenty of maneuvering room. Inside, you’ll see wonderful architecture, artwork and furnishings, all original. A public restroom is available and provides a side-transfer toilet and a lavatory with round handles. The tour continues up railed steps to the second floor.
For those who are unable to climb stairs, a photo album is available. For deaf or hard-of-hearing guests, there is a written script of the entire tour so you can read along with the docent during your visit.
A virtual tour provides remote access to the home for people who are unable to visit the site in person.
For more information, contact the historic site:
Thomas Hart Benton Home State Historic Site
3616 Belleview
Kansas City, MO 64111-3808
816-931-5722
1-800-334-6946
1-800-379-2419 TDD
Last updated: July 2024
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 3616 Belleview
Kansas City, MO 64111-3808 - Nearest town
- Westwood
- Coordinates
- 39.0620, -94.5979
- Phone
- (816) 931-5722
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Missouri State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026
- Quick List of Parks and Historic Sites (HTML) + MoDNR ArcGIS boundary layer for coordinates
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology