By RYAN SKAITH
Area residents have the chance to join an immersive two-day journey on April 21 and 22, 2026, to explore the enduring legacy of Waylande Gregory.
Known for his contributions to St. Joseph’s City Hall and the Missouri Theater, Gregory was a preeminent American ceramic sculptor of the 1930s, famously erasing the boundary between fine art and decorative craft.
The excursion, organized by the Centennial Celebration Series Committee of The Friends of the Missouri Theater, serves as a grand prelude to the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph’s most iconic landmarks in 2027.
The journey begins in Kansas City at the historic Hotel President. Built in 1926, this landmark features the intricate plasterwork of a then-21-year-old Gregory, including his crowning achievement: the Aztec Room.
Film buffs may recognize the hotel from the 1990 classic Mr. & Mrs. Bridge. We will also view the nearby Midland Theater, a 1927 structure designed by the Boller Brothers, the same architects responsible for the Missouri Theater in St. Joseph.
After a morning of architectural discovery, you can enjoy a buffet lunch at the historic Freight House at Jack Stack BBQ in the Crossroads Art District, followed by a curator-guided tour of the Nerman Museum of Art to view Gregory’s sketches, sculptures, and his famous “Fountain of the Atom” mannequin.
You can then travel to Lawrence, KS, for an evening of shopping and fine dining before checking into the grand Oread Hotel. After an included breakfast the following morning, you can explore Strong Hall to view Gregory’s decorative work before taking a scenic drive through the rolling Flint Hills. The midday destination is Alma, Kansas, where participants can dine at the Brandt House, an 1887 limestone hotel recently renovated in 2024.
The final leg of the tour takes goes through Manhattan, KS, for a guided tour of the Mariana Kistler Beach Museum. Here, you can view several Waylande Gregory pieces, including his rare 1939 terra-cotta relief entitled “R.F.D.” To conclude the experience, a visit will take place at the 1885 Columbian Theater and the Oz Museum in Wamego, finishing the trip with a celebratory dinner at Barleycorn’s Downtown Deli.
The cost for the tour is $150, which covers all transportation, three meals, snacks, and admission fees.
Please note that hotel accommodations must be booked separately by calling the Oread Hotel at 785-843-1200; be sure to request the “Waylande Gregory group” rate. Due to limited seating, reservations must be finalized by January 30, 2026.