Leawood Historic Commission

Our Mission

The purpose of the Historic Commission is to identify, protect and preserve the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of Leawood, Kansas, and to make that heritage accessible to its citizens for their use and education through appropriate means.

The Leawood Historic Commission was created in 1993 to record and protect the history of our community. The Leawood Historic Commission is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Mayor of Leawood.

The Leawood Historic Commission was responsible for the 11 year process of saving, moving and restoring the Historic Oxford Schoolhouse. The school was relocated from the corner of 135th and Mission Road in 2003 and it opened to the public in 2004 following a restoration, returning the school to its original 1877 appearance. The Kansas Preservation Alliance selected the Leawood Historic Commission as the recipient of a 2005 Award for Excellence for Preservation Advocacy for their role in preserving the Oxford Schoolhouse.

In 1994, the Leawood Historic Commission undertook a historic district survey of 130 homes in the original plat of the City of Leawood. What is now Historic District I is bounded by Somerset Drive on the north, 83rd Street on the south, High Drive on the east, and Meadow Lane/Manor Road on the west.

In 2010 the commissioners and volunteers undertook a second survey of 355 homes for a Historic District II with boundaries of 83rd Street on the north, 89th Street on the south, High Drive on the east, Fairway / Ensley / Overhill / Cherokee on the west.

In 2015, Lee Farmhouse Road Historic District was declared. This is a one-street Historic District consisting of the 34 homes on W. 96th Street. The district is named after Oscar Lee, whose home and farmstead originally occupied the surrounding area.

In addition to Leawood’s Historic Districts, the Commission also honors individual homes, archaeological sites, and historic structures by listing them on the Leawood Register of Historic Places. If you are interested in having your home listed on the Register there are downloadable copies of the forms on this website. A driving tour of the historic sites in Leawood is also available. “A Guide to Leawood’s Past”, can be downloaded or a hard copy can be picked up at City Hall.

For many years the commissioners have been taking interviews on early life in Leawood. If you have a story that you would like to share, please contact us. We also are interested in acquiring photos and memorabilia from the area. Your originals will be returned upon completion of scanning. Donations of photos and items are gratefully accepted. For more information or to share information, phone the Cultural Arts Coordinator at (913) 663-9157.