Showhouse 54

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54th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse

The Kansas City Symphony Alliance’s 54th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse concluded tours on May 19, 2024. Watch this website in the coming months for details about Showhouse 55 in 2025. Thank you for supporting our event!

Mike Minor & Peggy Jacobson
KCSA Symphony Designers’ Showhouse VP/Co-Chairs

About the 54th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse
Designed by prominent architect George Mathews and built circa 1900, the heavy, rough-hewn limestone exterior complements its wooded setting on the graceful curve of Valentine Road on a bluff overlooking Roanoke Park. Its rustic elements can be seen in the steeply pitched roof and arched radiating voussoirs (wedge-shaped stone used in the arches) above the windows.

Of note, one of its former occupants was the renowned artist Thomas Hart Benton, who rented the house from 1936 to 1939 before purchasing a home nearby. Benton and his wife hosted famed artists Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry and Jackson Pollock, among others.

New homeowners are Brian Cahill and Mindy Goodman, who recently purchased the property from Rhonda and Scott Burnett, retired 1st District Jackson County legislator. The Burnetts occupied the house for 30 years.

About the Kansas City Symphony Designers’ Showhouse

Each year since 1970, a Kansas City landmark residence is chosen as the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. The homeowners move out and a public preview of the “undecorated” home is held. Local designers are selected to transform each room of the home into a design showplace. The “finished” Showhouse is open to the public. Tickets are sold online, through outlets and through KCSA members. The Showhouse is available for private parties during the time the Showhouse is open to the public. The project has been recognized many times by the League of American Orchestras with Gold Book Awards for quality and innovation. All proceeds benefit the Kansas City Symphony.