“Two Hundred Years On Troost,” an exhibition chronicling the development of the 31st and Troost neighborhood from the 1800s to current day, opens Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO., with a reception from 5 to 8 pm. The public is invited. “Two Hundred Years on Troost” will be on display thru October 31, 2009.

The creation of the exhibition is based on research by Fr. David Paisius Altschul, Executive Director of Reconciliation Services, a local faith-based non-profit organization. “Our mission on Troost,” Fr. David says, “is to provide individual and community healing. The exhibition celebrates a rich history with its strength in the diversity of the people whose lives were and are intertwined in the development of the neighborhood. “ He continued, “I am convinced that we can face both the good and the bad in our individual and collective past and transform it into something beautiful, then real healing emerges.”

With beginnings as a Native American hunting area and path to the river, the 31st and Troost area later was part of the Porter Plantation, home to one of the city’s founders and forty of his slaves. As the area became more populous (in the late 1880s and early 1900s) , 31st and Troost became a southern boundary for Millionaire’s Row, a district housing Kansas City’s early elite. By the 1930s, Troost was considered a bustling sustainable commercial area.

Currently Troost is a neighborhood in transition, in the early stages of redefining itself as a destination point in midtown Kansas City, MO. “ We envision Troost as a gathering place,” Fr. David continues, “where neighbors celebrate diversity and each other. Forget the past dividing line – we’re coming together!“ A complement of educational activities , including films, forums, musical performances and poetry is planned In conjunction with the exhibition. All programming is free and open to public.

The exhibition was organized by Carol Rhodes Dyson, on staff with Reconciliation Services, whose expertise is in arts administration, education and community development. Images Resources Inc. are the exhibition designers. The Bruce R. Watkins Center hours are Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free.

For more coverage, visit the Pitch.com and www.TroostVillage.org. For pictures from the opening night, visit StMaryOfEgypt.net.