July programs to celebrate St. Joseph’s architectural jewels head of centennial
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Residents will get a unique opportunity for an up-close and personal look at two of the city's iconic landmarks this month.
St. Joseph architect and historian Max Guenther is offering two immersive programs in July to get acquainted with St. Joseph's City Hall and Missouri Theater in anticipation of their upcoming centennial in 2027.
The first is July 22 at The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art during “Museum After Hours,” followed by July 26 at The Downtown Public Library as part of Local History Week.
Both programs are free and open to the public.
The Architecture of the Missouri Theater
Max Guenther will focus on the beautiful Missouri Theater from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, in the auditorium at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum, located at 2818 Frederick Ave.
It was designed by The Boller Brothers Architects (St Joseph natives) and ornamented by the 22-year-old sculpting prodigy, Waylande Gregory. This beautiful atmospheric theater stands as a lasting legacy to its creators and a testament to the value it represents to generations of townspeople who have saved it, restored it, supported shows in it and continue to advocate for its preservation and use.
It's a work of art – inside and out.
While at the museum, be sure to seek out the mini-exhibits highlighting works by architect Edmond Eckel in the Barclay Gallery and the ceramic work of Waylande Gregory near the Salon Wall. This display offers a glimpse into the larger Gregory exhibition that will open Nov. 15, 2026, and run through Jan. 11, 2027.
City Hall and the City Beautiful Movement
Take an in-depth look at this grand civic landmark and the optimism in 1920s St Joseph.
Designed by St Joseph’s master architect, E.J. Eckel, and built by Lear Construction Co., City Hall remains as stately and as busy as it was intended to be.
The young artist, Waylande Gregory, ornamented the interior with sculpted plaster work, with the mayor’s office receiving special treatment.
Take a deep dive with Max Guenther on the work that influenced City Hall and how City Hall became just one of the landmarks to embody the City Beautiful Movement from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the St Joseph. Downtown Public Library, located at 927 Felix St, in the Owen Meeting Room, on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Max M. Guenther is a licensed architect with a specialty in luxury residential design. His residential work has received numerous design awards and has been published in Interior Design, Honolulu, Professional Builder and Island Home magazines.
Mr. Guenther was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Together with his wife Tammy, he is currently developing an art center in downtown St. Joseph at the Artcrafts Building on South 8th Street.
These programs are presented in cooperation with the Centennial Celebration Series in anticipation of the 100th Anniversary of City Hall and the Missouri Theater in 2027 and are organized by the CCS Committee of The Friends of the Missouri Theater. For more information, email CelebrationSeries2027@gmail.com or phone Committee Chair, Lori McAlister, at 402-802-2099.
