Why Is A Charitable Foundation So Essential To Oakwood?
“Allow me to start this letter about Oakwood by suggesting that I may have been a member for longer than any other living member. This year (2022) I celebrated 99 years of membership. Joan Meinrath and I were married there. It was a beautiful, joyful wedding. Oakwood was the perfect venue. Oakwood Country Club will always be a place of fond memories and good times.”
While the responsibility of preserving history carries a price, the opportunity to protect Oakwood’s legacy for future generations is truly priceless. Preserving our historic clubhouse and grounds goes far beyond the initial restoration we’ve accomplished to date — it requires a long-term, sustained financial commitment to ensure their continued care. Restoring and maintaining historic structures is a complex and costly undertaking, but the investment is justified by the irreplaceable cultural and architectural value they represent.
Oakwood is so much more than a country club — it’s a piece of Kansas City history that deserves to be protected and celebrated.
Oakwood is the oldest country club in the region — a community treasure with deep historical roots for over 144 years. Many historic clubs have faded away due to lack of preservation — our goal is to ensure Oakwood thrives for generations to come. Oakwood’s legacy was formally recognized in 2021 with a historic registry designation. Its history is beautifully chronicled in Oakwood: The First Hundred Years, authored by Ward Katz. The Club’s humble beginnings as a sanctuary for the Jewish community gained its historic registry recognition nearly 110 years after its inception. In recent years, what were once ambitious visions for improvement have become tangible realities. Oakwood has delivered on every commitment and exceeded expectations, transforming investments into a comprehensive reimagining of the Club’s experience. Now it’s time to take another step forward.