History of the Society

by John Switzer

The Kansas City St. Andrew Society began on January 8, 1914, at a meeting of twelve Scottish-American men in Kansas City. The state of Missouri granted the society a charter on February 12 of that year.

The founders stated a "desire to impress upon their fellow citizens an understanding of the ancient Scottish feeling and spirit in support of all right and forward movements to better the condition of their community, for honesty, kindness and ready sympathy; in short, 'Watch Weel ' that the signal fires of their forebears shall be a shining light to posterity."

Another purpose of the organization was to aid and assist fellow countrymen and to promote a friendly fraternal association amongst their fellow Scottish-Americans and by doing so to guard and carry on the tradition of Scotland.

The society established and supported a home for those worthy and deserving, particularly those of Scottish birth or descent. In 1929 Mrs. Mary Laird Gair gave the society the house and grounds at 500 East 45th Street across from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. On March 31, 1941 a fire destroyed the interior of the home and the property was then sold.

In 1961 the society had 75 members. It now numbers more than 700. In the beginning there was a separate organization known as the "Women's Auxiliary." On December 13, 1934, the Women's St. Andrew Society consolidated with the then all men's group.

The St. Andrew Society sponsors active groups of Highland dancers, country dancers (from which the popular American western square dance evolved), a Robert Burns study group (the "Chapman Billies"), the Scottish Singers and the Scots Readers. Classes are available in reading and speaking the Gaelic language.

Each year the society holds formal dinners to commemorate its patron saint St. Andrew in November and the birthday of poet Robert Burns in January. It takes part in the annual Kansas City Ethnic Festival. There is an annual family picnic, and there are various other social events sponsored by individual interest groups.

The bagpipe and drum band was organized by the society in July, 1963. Each year the band marches in the American Royal and the St. Patrick's Day parades and other public events. It competes in musical events all over the country and performs locally at public and private events. The band provides free training in the pipes and drums for beginning and advanced talents. Many instructors have won honors in North American individual piping contests.

The girls of the society have been competing in highland dancing for more than 35 years nationally and in Canada and Scotland. The dancers' organization provides free training. Instructors include some world champion dancers.

The society maintains a library of Scottish literature, and three bound volumes of scrapbooks cover the society's 90-year history.

Since 1968 the society has helped sponsor the "Scottish Highland Games," currently held each year on the second Saturday of June at the E. H. Young Riverfront Park in Riverside, Missouri. The event draws competing bagpipe bands, Scottish athletes and dancers from all over the world. Each year thousands of Kansas City area residents attend the Games.