Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio



Site History


Thomas Hart Benton was a renowned 20th century painter, sculptor, lecturer and writer. The Kansas City home at 3616 Belleview was built in 1903 for a local businessman in an eclectic Arts and Crafts style in an upper-middle class neighborhood. A few families owned the property before the Bentons bought the home in 1939. A large stone outbuilding is on the southwest corner of the lot. The carriage house on the western half was soon converted to a garage, and the stable on the eastern side was later converted to Benton’s art studio. The Benton family lived in the house from 1939 to 1975 and it became a state historic site in 1977, still fully furnished with the family’s belongings and furniture. After renovations and cataloging of the artifacts, the home opened to the public in 1983. Guests are now able to tour the home and Benton’s studio. Reflections of Thomas Hart Benton’s life are present in both his home and his paintings.