A Tour of The Hallmark Visitors Center
As you know from reading this blog, I have been traveling quite a bit lately, promoting my new book, Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations. A few weeks ago, after signing books and conducting some business in Chicago, Illinois, I was scheduled to fly to Kansas City, Missouri for another book signing event. We had a bit of downtime and started looking for some things to do while in Kansas City, when we realized that Hallmark has its headquarters there. My television show, of course, airs on Hallmark Channel and we thought it would be fun to learn a bit more about the company. A lunch was arranged with some Hallmark executives followed by a really fun tour of the Hallmark Visitors Center.
1 The Hallmark Visitors Center located in Kansas City's Crown Center complex - Admission is free!
2 Through these doors, you'll find 14 remarkable exhibits that trace Hallmark through its 101 years of history.
3 The Hallmark slogan
4 There is a fascinating timeline on display comparing Hallmark history to what was going on in the world. In 1910, 18-year-old Joyce Clyde Hall from Nebraska steps off a train in Kansas City, MO with a shoebox full of postcards.
5 In the 1920s, Joyce and brother William extend sales to all 48 states with 16 salesmen and opened an office in New York City. Hallmark appears on every card and gift wrap was added to the offering.
6 in the 1930s, as the Great Depression caused hardships across the nation, J.C. Hall looked out for his employees more than ever with employee benefits including retirement pensions, medical aid, life insurance, and vacation pay.
7 The Angel Tree - In 1938, Hallmark employees presented founder Joyce C. Hall with a large handmade Christmas card, giving birth to a tradition that would endure 44 years.
8 Folk Art Tree - The cards became increasingly elaborate and, in 1966, employees delivered the first Christmas tree designed especially for Mr. Hall.
9 The Twelve Days of Christmas Tree - Each Christmas tree continued to be accompanied by greeting cards signed by as many as 18,000 employees in one year.
10 The Stained Glass Tree - The last tree of the 17 trees in the collection was presented in memoriam on December 23, 1982, a few months after Mr. Halls death.
11 Shadow Box Carousel Tree - Each of the trees was designed around a theme known only to those Hallmark volunteers who produced the tree’s hand-crafted ornaments.
12 Bread Dough Ornament Tree - The secret became public only when the tree was unveiled for Mr. Hall in his office during the last working days before Christmas.
13 The Bicentennial Tree - The J.C. Hall Tree Collection reflects the talents of Hallmarkers and stands as a tribute to the many who inspired their creation.
14 The Bob Schneeberg Tree - A longtime Hallmark artist whose distinctive collages were used in greeting card and puzzle designs had the honor of personally creating this gift.
15 Natural Basket Tree - The natural look so popular in the 1980's influenced this tree.
16 In 1951, a series of television broadcast specials that became the Hallmark Hall of Fame, began with 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' by Gian Carlo Menotti, the first original opera created especially for television, broadcast on Christmas Eve.
17 The pansy card is the longest-running card in Hallmark history. It has been sent and received more than any other greeting card in the world! Introduced in 1939 as a Mother's Day card, it was changed to a friendship card in the 1940's.
18 2010 Love Stamp was inspired by the pansy card, designed by Dorothy Maienschein, who painted the original artwork in 1939. She was a Hallmark artist for more than 30 years.
19 Hallmark cards are die-cut and the process begins with a laser burning the shape of a card into a block of wood.
20 A special tool is used to bend pieces of steel rule into the shape of the card. The pieces are then hammered into the die. Hallmark uses approximately 23 miles of steel rule a year.
21 The greeting cards are cut from large printed sheets using a steel-rule die, much like a cookie cutter. The rubber that you see keeps the card from sticking in the die.
22 Look familiar?
23 Here I am with Don Hall, President and CEO of Hallmark and a grandson of company founder Joyce C. Hall.
24 And here we are with Lisa Gersh, COO of MSLO.
25 With Lisa Macpherson, Senior VP Marketing Consumer Solutions at Hallmark
26 With Teri Ann Drake, Senior VP Creative at Hallmark
27 And with Steve Doyal, Senior VP Public Affairs and Communications at Hallmark
28 I liked this print by Cary Leibowitz. The next print is displayed on its side and says 'I can't I don't feel well.'
29 After touring the Visitor Center, we took a walk through their offices, including the Creative Supply Library.
30 The poster at the bottom left, which I agree with, reads: If you give a good idea to a mediocre team, they’ll screw it up. But if you give a mediocre idea to a great team, they’ll make it work.
31 A great design - very much like an Eames chair
32 The Creative Supply Library was rich with art supplies.
33 Brushes galore
34 Stacks of ink pads
35 And many shades of glitter
36 Posing with Kristin Harrington, creative specialist, in the Creative Supply Library - I told her she should have Martha Stewart Craft supplies on hand, as well.
37 Spray paint and card stock
38 Ribbons and fabrics
39 The Hallmark archival area has an amazing collection of beautiful, historical fabrics.
40 These printed fabrics provide inspiration for new designs, like this beautiful bird with outstretched wings.
41 Vintage fabrics of lovely floral prints
42 Some examples of how archival patterns are digitized and used for new card creations
43 There's also a sizable humor department.
44 We got to meet a few of the humor writers - this is definitely a fun place!
45 Some of the Greetings and Humor Department – Maureen Urness - editorial director, Rachel Karaca - art director, Liz Gilstrap - administrative assistant, Sarah Tobaben - senior editorial director, and Julie McFarland - creative director
46 An inspiration board of funny sayings
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What a great place to visit! Did their Creative Supply Library make you want one like it, even though you have plenty of supplies in your own?
It must be nice to have everything you need right there on hand when starting a project. I find I always need something I don't have when I think of something to make.
Thanks for sharing the tour with us.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 1st, 2011 at 1:35 am
I used to love Hallmark but these days I prefer to buy Made in U.S.A. I feel betrayed by Hallmark.
Posted by: Pat Abelson | December 1st, 2011 at 2:27 am
Thanks for showing us more about Kansas City, Mr. Hall, and Hallmark headquarters. I am so happy that you are now affialiated with Hallmark's wonderful channel as Your type of show is absolutely perfect for them. Much to do in Kansas City and my grandma is 'the girl from Missouri". You look wonderful.
Posted by: ann | December 1st, 2011 at 4:50 am
Hi Martha, looks like an amazing place! I love their product. Gorgeous Christmas trees, I would love to visit the Hallmark center. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tour with us. Happy Holidays xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 1st, 2011 at 8:01 am
I also love Hallmark. Thanks for the tour! The christmas trees designed for Mr. Hall are beautiful.
Posted by: Cindy F | December 1st, 2011 at 9:12 am
Just wanted to wish Miss Frannie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful 7th birthday!!
Posted by: Shirley Hawksby | December 1st, 2011 at 9:53 am
Hi Martha,
Well that was a nice tour I thoroughly enjoyed and I love the story of Joyce Clyde Hall. I did a bit more reading on Google - basically how he and his brother invested $150.00 in post cards to sell in Kansas City and then a few bends in the road later, the Hallmark empire ensued. His story gives one a lot to think about i.e. how he lost his store in a fire and then decided to make his own cards. And then there's your fascinating story of once being a caterer and now running an empire. What would we do without all of you accomplished people who do great things! I'd much rather think about all the great things you people do! Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 1st, 2011 at 10:28 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 1st, 2011 at 10:29 am
Hi Martha, Hallmark! What a delightful place to take us to so that we can see everything that the Hallmark Visitors Center presents! What a terrific place that is starting with wonderful museum items like those beautiful tree structures all the way to fantastic cards like one of my favorites in photo #22! Those creative craft members certainly do a great job and their craft items are beautiful! I agree with you that they should have some of your craft items, also! I always loved receiving beautiful cards from the Hallmark stores! Thanks for your tweet about going to Sydney, Australia on December 12th-that will be another fantastic trip to view! Can't wait to see your new Pet Show on the Hallmark Channel at 10AM this morning! Thanks for another fun day! Have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 1st, 2011 at 10:45 am
very nice to hear about Hallmark ,but please have them record your show in high definition -it is such a disappointment to not see all the lovely crafts and of course Martha in high definition.
Posted by: christine carpenter | December 1st, 2011 at 10:58 am
I enjoyed Martha,s vist with Rainy Day Books. I have a sister that works at Hallmarks Liberty location filling orders. They are a wonderful company. I had the chance to see both the warehouse and headquarters on family day tours. It is truly amazing all the thought that goes into the making of a greeting card!
Posted by: Carol Nagel | December 1st, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Thanks so much for taking us to the Hallmark Visitors Center. Those craft members do a great job and are so creative! I agree with you that they should have some of your craft items on the shelf at all times. I always love receiving beautiful cards from the Hallmark.
Posted by: Doran | December 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Hi, Martha,
What a FUN tour! Thank you! Your timing is excellent ~ I'm just getting inspired to do my cards and decorate!
Posted by: Bobbie in Oregon | December 1st, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I love the Hallmark Visitors Center. I have worked for them for 27 years and I am baffled by the person who feels betrayed by Hallmark. The majority of the everyday cards are printed right here in the good ole USA.
Posted by: John in Columbus,Ga | December 1st, 2011 at 7:25 pm
What a neat thing! The Hallmark people are amazing. You always find creative new things/people to explore.
Posted by: Les Smith | December 2nd, 2011 at 12:00 am
Hi Martha! I must say this was one of my favourite posts in youre blog. So fun to se a lot of diffrent tips of table decor, food, desserts. I loved it, hope for more of this soon! Big hugs from Sweden!
Posted by: Viktoria - Pinkpastry | December 2nd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Hi Martha,
First things first i love your show, i also have 4 dogs & boy are they spoiled. Well any way ilove Hallmark get my new house every year and my daugther has wiZard of OZ.I have Hallmark place mats that they don't make & haven't made in years. I can't throw them out because they have a lot of memorys and they are beautiful, wish you could see them. I have for all the holidays, i use to put them under a clear think plastic table cloth to keep them nice. Now i just keep them in the attic for safe keeping. Well thanks for takeing the tour looks like you had a great time. Thanks!
Posted by: Ann Allen | December 2nd, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Their Creative Supply Library is Heaven!
Posted by: Penny | December 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I too have read that Hallmark Cards are made in China. wonder what the truth is. sounds like some research on my part is in order. I lived in KC for years and have taken visitors to the Hallmark Center many times.
Posted by: Carol | December 3rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm
One of my dreams as a faithful fan of Hallmark's Greeting Card Competitions is to go to Kansas City one day and meet all of the hard working fun people at Hallmark.I have been fortunate to named a finalist in five of the Hallmark competitions and have seen the Hallmark fan Base( HFB) grow from a few hundred fans to over 17000 today!! People from all walks of life have enjoyed your show Martha and love what you have to share with the world.!!Sharing your talents is much like sharing a greeting card!!
Posted by: Sandra Groth | December 3rd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Hi Martha. My name is Kiyana and i'm 11 years old, I've been thinking about decorating my room, and suddenly my mom said, would'nt it be fun if there were paints with glitter inside it?? So we could use it as accent paint??? Me and my freinds really want our rooms to be filled with glitter. It would be nice if you could make a clear paint,and add diffrent color sparkles, to paint over the original color and have a sparlky room!!!
- Thanks, I thought I should bring this up to you, since I like your work so much!!!!
Posted by: Kiyana | December 5th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Martha, Thanks so much for stopping at Hallmark. We loved having you! I've worked at Hallmark for over 35 years (as have many of the employees)and it's a great place to work. The Visitor Center is wonderful and Kaleidoscope is a fun place to take the kids for exciting art projects. To the person concerned about our greeting cards manufactured in China...most of our cards are made right here in the USA at our plants in Kansas and Georgia. Come to our Visitor Center and we will let you make your own ribbons and watch some of our diecutters make the plates for our cards. We'd love to have you visit.
Posted by: Nancy in KC | December 6th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Thank you, Martha, for your wonderful showcase of Hallmark and our Visitor Center. Yes, I'm another long-time (nearly 28 years) employee. I couldn't be prouder to be associated with such a great company! Our partnership with you is a natural. I haven't visited the Visitor Center in a long time ... too long! I'll be taking my husband soon, since he's never been!
Posted by: Pam | December 6th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hi Martha
I am new at blogging and watch your show on the Lifestyle Channel in Manila everyday. Enjoyed the tour of The Hallmark Visitor Center but was upset to learn that the Hallmark Channel has cancelled your show. Hopefully you can find another network in the US to pick your show........why not develop the Martha Stewart Network, the opportunities would be endless. You also may need to re-format your daily show to make it more appealing to all genres and not just one kind of viewer........just a suggestion. I just learned about your Cooking School book and can't wait to buy it and expand my cooking skills, even though I cook every day.
Posted by: Michael in the Philippines | January 12th, 2012 at 11:53 pm