This November, Kansas City PBS and its digital journalism platform, Flatland, will examine the long and dramatic history of a defining landmark in Kansas City. Nichols’ Folly: A Century of the Country Club Plaza premieres on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. on Channel 19.1.
“Nichols’ Folly invites audiences to reflect on the complicated history of the Country Club Plaza,” said Kliff Kuehl, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. “This must-see documentary not only highlights the Plaza's remarkable journey but also asks viewers to engage critically, fostering a deeper connection with this iconic landmark's past and future."
When developer J.C. Nichols announced plans for the Spanish-themed shopping district that opened in 1923, skeptics scoffed at his master plan, some labeling it “Nichols’ Folly.” Instead, the car-centric, mixed-use district became an alternative downtown and a springboard for suburban sprawl that reshaped Kansas City and influenced development nationwide.
As it celebrates a century in business, though, many wonder what the future holds for the Country Club Plaza. Decades of out-of-town ownership, surging retail vacancies and a recent focus on Nichols' historic connection to racial restrictions and social inequity have raised new questions about the landmark’s lasting legacy.
Created by Kansas City PBS’ Emmy Award-winning multimedia producer Emily Woodring, Nichols’ Folly will trace the intricate history behind the nation's first planned suburban shopping center and consider what’s next for the landmark.
“It’s important to explore the history of the Plaza because of the historic role it has played both in Kansas City and nationwide. It’s been here for 100 years, so the area has changed a lot, and the way Kansas Citians view the Plaza has changed too,” Woodring said.
To learn more about Nichols’ Folly: A Century of the Country Club Plaza, visit kansascitypbs.org/NicholsFolly