May 20, 1993
National Register of Historic Places - William Volker House
Statement of Significance: The William Volker House, 3717 Bell Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, is significant under Criterion B in the area of Social History. From 1889 to 1947, the house served as the home of William Volker, acknowledged as Kansas City's leading philanthropist. Although the scale of his earliest philanthropies was relatively modest compared to his later benefices, his generosity, coupled with his aversion to publicity, earned him the nickname of "Mr. Anonymous of Bell Street." Commercial success made possible the extent and expanded range of his later philanthropies, which included substantial donations to four local hospitals, a number of educational agencies and institutions, and a wealth of social welfare programs. It was estimated that Volker gave over one-third of his annual income each year of his life for charitable purposes, and, from 1911 to his death, he expended an estimated ten million dollars on philanthropy. In 1932, he established the William Volker Charities Fund, which he continued to administer for the remainder of his life and which was to remain active for thirty years after his death. His civic activities included service on the Kansas City Board of Education; the establishment of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, of which he was the first president; and the creation of the Board of Public Welfare, the first such agency in the nation. Volker was also involved with and supportive of Progressive efforts to reform the municipal government of Kansas City. He was instrumental in the creation of the Kansas City Civic Research Institute and a member of the Citizens Charter Committee and the Charter Party, all of which fought for reforms during and after the Pendergast administration. The house at 3717 Bell Street served as Volker's home during the period of his greatest civic and philanthropic achievements, 1889-1947; it is the one property most closely associated with Volker over this entire period and, therefore, best represents the entire range and scope of his achievements. Near the end of his life, in 1943, Volker was honored by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce with the title of "First Citizen of Kansas City" in partial recognition of his civic and philanthropic achievements. Because Volker remained active in the management of his philanthropic endeavors until his death, the period of significance for his house is extended to 1947. His significant activities continued unabated until that time, and it is, therefore, contended that the property is exceptionally significant.
National Register of Historic Places - William Volker House
Statement of Significance: The William Volker House, 3717 Bell Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, is significant under Criterion B in the area of Social History. From 1889 to 1947, the house served as the home of William Volker, acknowledged as Kansas City's leading philanthropist. Although the scale of his earliest philanthropies was relatively modest compared to his later benefices, his generosity, coupled with his aversion to publicity, earned him the nickname of "Mr. Anonymous of Bell Street." Commercial success made possible the extent and expanded range of his later philanthropies, which included substantial donations to four local hospitals, a number of educational agencies and institutions, and a wealth of social welfare programs. It was estimated that Volker gave over one-third of his annual income each year of his life for charitable purposes, and, from 1911 to his death, he expended an estimated ten million dollars on philanthropy. In 1932, he established the William Volker Charities Fund, which he continued to administer for the remainder of his life and which was to remain active for thirty years after his death. His civic activities included service on the Kansas City Board of Education; the establishment of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, of which he was the first president; and the creation of the Board of Public Welfare, the first such agency in the nation. Volker was also involved with and supportive of Progressive efforts to reform the municipal government of Kansas City. He was instrumental in the creation of the Kansas City Civic Research Institute and a member of the Citizens Charter Committee and the Charter Party, all of which fought for reforms during and after the Pendergast administration. The house at 3717 Bell Street served as Volker's home during the period of his greatest civic and philanthropic achievements, 1889-1947; it is the one property most closely associated with Volker over this entire period and, therefore, best represents the entire range and scope of his achievements. Near the end of his life, in 1943, Volker was honored by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce with the title of "First Citizen of Kansas City" in partial recognition of his civic and philanthropic achievements. Because Volker remained active in the management of his philanthropic endeavors until his death, the period of significance for his house is extended to 1947. His significant activities continued unabated until that time, and it is, therefore, contended that the property is exceptionally significant.
May 20, 1993
Posted Date
Aug 23, 2023
Historical Record Date
May 20, 1993
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
