The Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City is part of a four-campus (Rolla, Columbia, St. Louis, and Kansas City) program supported by the University of Missouri and the State Historical Society of Missouri. It collects primary historical research material from the western Missouri region. Materials include personal papers; business record; records of social, cultural, civic, educational, and political organizations; and an extensive collection of architectural plans. The holdings are open to the public, photocopying is available, and microfilm collections are accessible through interlibrary loan. In addition, all materials can be used at counterpart offices on the campuses of the University system. WHMC-KC is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and evenings by appointment.

Holdings with significance to the history of medicine fall into three categories: institutions, individuals, and related organizations. Institutional records include those of the Jackson County (MO) Medical Society (1892-1938); the University Medical College (1892-1937); the KC Medical Library Club (1911-1920); the Kansas City Academy of Medicine (1890-1924); the College of Physicians and Surgeons (1871-1905); and the Neurological Hospital Association of Kansas City (c.1936-c.1973). Collections of individuals include the Thomas Jefferson Eaton Papers (c.1870-c.1947); Rosa Barker Papers (1900); Nathaniel Chapman Medical Lectures (c.1820-c.1834); Edward L. Stewart Papers (c.1930-1940); James W. Parker Records (1851-1872); Paul N. Johnstone Papers (1956-1964); and Fred L. Seevers Papers (1913). Records of related organizations include the Nursing Heritage Foundation (c.1890-1995); the Missouri Nursing Association (MONA, 1955-1989); the Jefferson Davis Griffith Chapter of the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. (1936-1937); the Hughes-Simmons Drug Store Records (1874-1954); the Childbirth Education Association of Greater Kansas City (c.1975-1983); and the Kansas City Dietetic Association Records (c.1947-1983). Finding aids for these collections are available upon request.