Northeast News
November 26, 2014

Well the Union Station Centennial was held last week and a telling list of donors were listed in last Sunday’s paper. Topping the list, the Hall Family Foundation and Bob and Betty Waldrop. Both were listed as Centennial Platinum level donors, a level not even listed on Union Station’s website. The highest level listed there is the Platinum level, denoting at least a $100,000 contribution.

That means those two families ponied up at least $100,000 for the white linen privilege. Wait. What? Don’t recognize that second name? Old guard Kansas City Museum supporters certainly know that name. This crafty news-dog thinks that donation probably came from monies that long time Friends of the Museum Prez Katrina Henke — she is a Waldrop after all — appropriated — all $700,000 plus of it — from what was slated to support the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall.

Interestingly, this huge gala celebration took place about five months after the Museum severed ties with Union Station. A quick perusal of the donor list reads like a who’s who of Kansas City highbrows. All of which begs the question: Where were those Blue Bloods and their philanthropy when Pirate George was runnin’ the show at the Museum? While Union Station is certainly due its day in the sun, it should be noted that in 2010 when the KCM celebrated its centennial, it was done with muted fanfare, a shoestring budget and a skeleton staff. It’s all about the posturing in the socialite, Mission Hills Ward Parkway set and let’s face it, Union Station is just a much more desirable resume bullet point than a hulking old mansion on Gladstone Boulevard. For now.