We all have a favorite t-shirt. It’s comfortable, it goes good with anything, and it makes a statement—of how we’re feeling, what we like, where we stand. It says something about who we are. T-shirts are an important part of most everyone’s wardrobe today. But no one just throws on a tee—some thought goes into the wearing of one. Where are we going? What are we doing? Who are we seeing? What do we want to say about ourselves today? My Tee & Me is an exhibition about who we are, as individuals and as a ...community, through the t-shirts we have worn and are wearing in our home towns.

The Kansas City Museum has been collecting clothing and textiles since 1940, not only for who wore or made them, but also for what stories they tell about our city’s history. And there’s no greater piece of clothing in the last fifty years than the humble t-shirt to communicate interesting stories about our city, and to convey a shared identity and pride in what we love and believe.

My Tee & Me will feature t-shirts from the Kansas City Museum’s collection supplemented by photographs and memorabilia documenting cultural trends, sports and entertainment, political themes, and activism in our community. Also featured will be some of the voices of people who love their t-shirts.

The Museum is delighted to work with local historian David W. Jackson, who will serve as a co-curator and will bring his perspective to the city’s history through this exhibition. David is an author of several books on local topics. In addition, the Museum will partner with the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America (GLAMA) at UMKC to highlight AIDS Walk KC t-shirts and historical materials to celebrate AIDS Walk KC’s 30th Anniversary