Nov 21, 1980
National Register of Historic Places - Thomas Hart Benton House (Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio /Benton Home and Studio)
Statement of Significant: The Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio at 3616 Belleview, Kansas City, Missouri is an important and well-preserved example of a working studio and home-life environment of one of the most noted artists in Missouri and in the nation. Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Missouri on April 15, 1889. He was grandnephew and namesake of Missouri's second senator; and son of Maecenas E. Benton, a United States Representative who served four terms. Young Benton grew up loving the values and folkways of his native countrymen and was well-immersed in American folklore and traditions. His formative years were spent in developing his philosophy, skill, and direction in Chicago, Paris, and New York. Benton returned to Missouri in 1935. Upon being awarded the murals commission for the Missouri State Capitol at Jefferson City, and subsequently receiving the appointment of Director of Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute, Benton chose to settle down in Kansas City. In 1937, one year after completing his murals at the state capitol, his first book, An Artist in America, was published. In 1939, Benton moved to the Belleview residence where he made his home until his death in 1975. Benton established a studio in the converted carriage house where he worked at painting from sunup to sundown. During the 1939-75 period Benton produced a great number of easel paintings and many major murals. He even found time to write another book, An American in Art. It was during this period, that Benton brought to its fullest development his philosophy of art that the art of a nation should reflect the values and attitudes of that nation. Benton believed that foreign artistic trends could best find their value in their own national context. It was meaningless, in Benton's opinion, to adopt them as a means for expressing and interpreting the American cultural and historical experience. The Home also served as an art gallery where Benton's works were exhibited and sold by his wife, Rita, who took care of Tom's financial affairs. It was also a meeting place of some of the most influential and educated minds of contemporary America. Buckminster Fuller, Carl Sandburg, Harry Truman, et.al. were visitors and guests of Tom Benton and his wife.
National Register of Historic Places - Thomas Hart Benton House (Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio /Benton Home and Studio)
Statement of Significant: The Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio at 3616 Belleview, Kansas City, Missouri is an important and well-preserved example of a working studio and home-life environment of one of the most noted artists in Missouri and in the nation. Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Missouri on April 15, 1889. He was grandnephew and namesake of Missouri's second senator; and son of Maecenas E. Benton, a United States Representative who served four terms. Young Benton grew up loving the values and folkways of his native countrymen and was well-immersed in American folklore and traditions. His formative years were spent in developing his philosophy, skill, and direction in Chicago, Paris, and New York. Benton returned to Missouri in 1935. Upon being awarded the murals commission for the Missouri State Capitol at Jefferson City, and subsequently receiving the appointment of Director of Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute, Benton chose to settle down in Kansas City. In 1937, one year after completing his murals at the state capitol, his first book, An Artist in America, was published. In 1939, Benton moved to the Belleview residence where he made his home until his death in 1975. Benton established a studio in the converted carriage house where he worked at painting from sunup to sundown. During the 1939-75 period Benton produced a great number of easel paintings and many major murals. He even found time to write another book, An American in Art. It was during this period, that Benton brought to its fullest development his philosophy of art that the art of a nation should reflect the values and attitudes of that nation. Benton believed that foreign artistic trends could best find their value in their own national context. It was meaningless, in Benton's opinion, to adopt them as a means for expressing and interpreting the American cultural and historical experience. The Home also served as an art gallery where Benton's works were exhibited and sold by his wife, Rita, who took care of Tom's financial affairs. It was also a meeting place of some of the most influential and educated minds of contemporary America. Buckminster Fuller, Carl Sandburg, Harry Truman, et.al. were visitors and guests of Tom Benton and his wife.
Nov 21, 1980
Posted Date
Aug 16, 2023
Historical Record Date
Nov 21, 1980
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
