Missouri History Museums

Andrew County Historical Society & Museum

Operated by the Andrew County Historical Society, the museum collects, preserves and displays artifacts related to the history of Andrew County, MO.  Located at 202 East Duncan Drive in Savannah, Missouri.

The following history museums are operated by the Audrain County Historical Society located at 501 S. Muldrow in Mexico, MO.

American Saddlebred Horse Museum

Once known as the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World, Mexico, Missouri boasts this museum featuring equestrian memorabilia along with related history exhibits.

Country Church

Originally known as Prairie View Church, construction was completed in 1889.  It was moved to the grounds for the Audrain County Historical Society in 1998.

Country School

A 1903 One Room School House furnished in period style.

Graceland Museum

An 1857 antebellum mansion built by John P. Clark and visited by Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War.  Located in Robert S. Green Park in Mexico, Missouri.

Vandalia Area Historical Society and Museum

[Museum Tour]  [Vandalia Early History]

The museum is located in the heart of the downtown area in a recently restored store-front building built by Vandalia's founder, Aaron McPike in 1876.  This building carries a long and significant history, but it now houses countless rare artifacts that "tells the story" of the many historical events in the community.  Yet more importantly, this museum "tells the story" of the many people that made these events occur and the lives they lead throughout these numerous generations of Vandalians.  Located at 112 S. Main in Vandalia, MO.

Barry County Museum

The museum is focused on the history of Barry County, Missouri and features displays and artifacts which include a log cabin, the Black Schoolhouse, a 59 firetruck and many other historical items.  Located on Highway 112 South in Cassville, MO.

Pioneer Museum

The museum features a collections of Early American pattern glassware, Native American arrowheads and artifacts, minerals, pocket watches and Civil War artifacts.  Located in Golden, MO.

Boone Junction History Village

New in the summer of 2007 is this docent guided tour of three historic structures in Boone County, Missouri.  These include the 1877 Maplewood House, the 1821 Gordon-Collins Cabin and the 1890 Easley country store.  Operated by the Boone County Historical Society at 3801 Ponderosa Street in Columbia, Missouri.

Maplewood Historic Home

A farm home built in 1877 by Slater Ensor Lenoir.  Located in the Frank G. Nifong Park, the home is only open for tours during certain times.  Be sure to check with the Boone County Historical Society for current days and times.

Walters - Boone County Historical Museum

16,000 square feet of exhibits related to the pioneer movement along the Boonslick Trace.  The Society archives is available for research.  Located at 3801 Ponderosa Street in Columbia, MO.

Jesse James Historic Home

The home to infamous Jesse James is located behind the Patee House and contains many items owned by the James family as well as exhibits about the 1995 exhumation of Jesse James body, when it was proven with 99.7% accuracy that the body is indeed that of Jesse James.

1202 Penn Street, St. Joseph, MO.

National Military Heritage Museum 

Exhibits and collections in this military museum, cover all branches of the US Armed Forces from 1800 to present day.  Located at 701 Messanie in St. Joseph, MO.

Patee House Museum

Patee House, built in 1858 and originally serving as a hotel, was used as the Pony Express Headquarters 1860-1861.  It is also the place where the investigation into the death of Jesse James was held.  The Jesse James home is directly behind the museum  Inside the museum, you will find a museum of transportation and communication along with a general store and many historical artifacts of the area.  1202 Penn Street, St. Joseph, MO.

Pony Express National Museum

[History] 

Preserving the history of the Pony Express, the museum is housed in Pikes Peak Stables, where the Pony Express sent out it's first rider on April 3, 1860.  Located at 914 Penn Street in St. Joseph, Missouri.

St. Joseph Historical Museum

Focused on the history of St. Joseph and the Midland Empire, the museum actually features 3 museums at one location.  All 3 are located at 3406 Frederick Avenue in St. Joseph, MO.

1. The St. Joseph Museum - Features a large collection of Native American artifacts.

2. The Glore Psychiatric Museum - The museum chronicles the history of State Lunatic Asylum No. 2.

3. The Black Archives Museum - Featuring exhibits about the Underground Railroad, Middle Passage, Desegregation and other topics related to African American history in St. Joseph, MO, the museum also features  displays devoted to Black musicians such as Donnie May and Etta Green Cox.

Wyeth Tootle Historic Mansion

Constructed in 1879, this beautiful gothic style mansion was home to William and Eliza Wyeth.  In 1887 the home was sold to Kate Tootle.  The mansion remained in the Tootle family until 1946.  For 60 years the home has been a museum featuring exhibits and artifacts related to the history of St. Joseph, the life and death of Jesse James and the Civil War.  Located at 1100 Charles in St. Joseph Missouri.

    Kingdom of Callaway

Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum  

[Photos]  [History of Callaway]  [Historic Callaway County]

Focused on the history of Callaway and the surrounding area, the museum features historical artifacts, documents and photos in it's collection.  Researchers will find genealogical materials for their perusal and for sale.  Location is 513 Court Street in Fulton, MO.

Chariton County Historical Society & Museum

The museum is focused on the history of pioneer settlement of Chariton County.  Exhibits of early household items, and military memorabilia are on display and they feature a unique replica of an early 1900s main street.  Buildings include a general store, blacksmith, printing shop, barber shop and bank.  Located at 115 E. Second Street in Salisbury, MO.

Excelsior Springs Historical Museum

[Virtual Tour]   [History]

Preservation of documents and artifacts regarding the history of the people who have lived in the Excelsior Springs community is the focus of this history museum.  The museum includes a research archives.

101 East Broadway in Excelsior Springs, MO.

Cole County Historical Society

The Society's collections include paintings, pictures, records, documents, and other artifacts directly related to the history of Cole County, including its role as the seat of Missouri State government. Special displays include inaugural gowns of governor’s wives and our Civil War Room.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Arrangements for groups of 15 or more can be made by calling the museum at (573)635-1850 or by email cchs@socket.net .  Admission charged. Research library open Mondays 10:00 until 3:30 or by prior arrangement.
Location:
109 Madison Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Missouri State Museum

[Audio Tour]

The Missouri State Museum provides guided tours of the Missouri State Capitol building which holds the Missouri State Museum.  The state museum houses a large collection of exhibits and over 93,000 cultural artifacts which provide a look into Missouri's history, legends and cultural achievements. There are 4 floors to explore in the Capitol where visitors can take the free guided tour or wander at their leisure. The Missouri State Capitol building has over 500,000 square feet of floor space.  There have been 3 different Capitol buildings.  The first was erected in 1837, followed by one built in the late 1880s.  The present Capitol building was dedicated in 1924 after the previous one was lost in a 1911 fire. The Missouri State Capitol is located at 201 W. Capitol Avenue in  Jefferson, MO.  The Missouri State Museum also manages the Jefferson Landing State Historic site which is about a block away at the corner of Jefferson Street and Capitol Avenue.  This site is a rare surviving Missouri River landing.  The site features the Lohman Building which was built in 1839 and served as a tavern and hotel.  Today it holds a visitor center with exhibits on transportation.  Directly across the street from the Lohman Building is the 1855 Union Hotel.  The Union Hotel holds the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery along with rotating exhibits related to Missouri art and culture.

Douglas County Historical Society & Museum

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum

Malden Historical Museum  [Virtual Tour]

Although devoted to the history of Malden, the museum also features items which are thousands of years old in the Dennis Collection of Egyptian Antiquities.  Located at 201 N. Beckwith in Malden, MO.

Deutschheim State Historic Site

White House Hotel 1868

The lovely 3 story brick hotel holds 36 rooms with authentic furnishings in the pre-1900 period.  The original saloon, "the First and Last Stop" is still intact and the hotel includes a full basement with wine cellar and indoor water well.  In addition to the regular tours, visitors can also take a step back in time with a special living history tour.  These Lantern Tours are provided in the evening with lantern lighting and live actors dressed in period costume.  Located at 232 Wharf Street in historic Hermann, MO.

Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks

History Museum for Springfield  [Virtual Tour]

Experience the heritage of Springfield and Green County, Missouri.  The museum explores the history of this area from prehistoric times through the 1950s and houses a collection of research materials which include over 20,000 historical photos.  Located in the old Springfield City Hall built in 1894 at 830 Boonville Avenue in Springfield, MO.

Kewpie Museum

Operated by the Bonniebrook Historical Society, the museum is housed in a replica home of Rose O'Neill, famed creator of Kewpie Dolls.  Exhibits feature her artwork and kewpie dolls along with the story of her life and times.  Located at 485 Rose O'Neill Road in Walnut Shade, MO.

Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Hickory County Museum   [Hickory County History Timeline]

Housed in the John Siddles Williams House and operated by the Hickory County Historical Society, the museum displays artifacts and exhibits related to the county history.  A research center is also available.  Adjacent to the museum, is an old log cabin and well.  Located on museum street in Hermitage, MO.

Hermitage Court House Square and Jail

Wheatland Settlers Village

The site is home to 13 authentic log cabins which have been moved to the site for preservation.  Some of these are the 1850 Akard cabin, 1840 cabin built by Jerome McCracken, and the 1858 Carbin cabin built by Benhamin F. Fugate.  During special occasions and events, it becomes a living history village providing entertainment, crafters and artists.  Located on the town square in Wheatland, MO.

Truman Presidential Museum & Library

Joplin Museum Complex

Powers Museum - Dedicated to the history of Carthage

Arabia Steamboat Museum

Devoted to the artifacts uncovered and preserved from the grand paddle steamer "The Arabia" which sank in the Missouri River in 1856.  This steamboat has been unearthed from her perilous resting place and artifacts are still being added to this fascinating  museum.  Located at 400 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, MO.

Kansas City Museum

Union Station  [History]

Built in 1914, this well known landmark has been fully restored and is host to historic exhibits, a science center, a theater district, restaurants and of course you can still catch the train at Union Station.

1830s Log House Museum

Battle of Lexington State Park   [The Battle]  [Photos]

Lexington Historic Homes Tour

Boyhood Home of Walt Disney

Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Park

The bridge, originally known as the Linn County Bridge, was built in 1868 and is the longest (151 feet) surviving covered bridge in Missouri.

Walt Disney Hometown Musuem

Garth Mansion

Rockcliffe Mansion

Garth Woodside Mansion   [History]

Originally set on a one mile parcel of land, the mansion as home to John Garth.  Today it is still being restored.  Offering a bed and breakfast along with the Woodside restaurant and weddings are often held here.  Located at 11069 New London Road in Hannibal, MO.

Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum   [Virtual Tour]

The museum includes several buildings.  The boyhood home of Mark Twain, John M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, the Pilaster House / Grant's Drug Store, the Becky Thatcher House, Huckleberry Finn House and the Museum Gallery are among them.  The Interpretive Center is located at 415 North Main in Hannibal, MO.  The home is located at 206 Hill Street.

Mark Twain Cave   [Cave History]

The Mark Twain cave system was discovered in 1819 and has been offering guided tours into it's depths for over 114 years.  Well known for it's explorations by Samuel Clemens.  On Highway 79, 1 mile south of Hannibal, Missouri.

Old Bay Mill

Rockcliffe Mansion   [History]   [Photos]

Construction of this magnificent home began in 1898.  Home to the John Cruikshank family, the house sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the Mississippi River.  The home has been saved and restored.  Tours are offered.  1000 Bird in Hannibal, MO.

McDonald County Historical Museum

Focus of the museum is on the local history of McDonald County. Located at 302 Harmon in Pineville, MO.

Cannon Dam

Higgerson School Historic Site

A restored one-room schoolhouse. 

300 Maine Street

New Madrid, MO

Hunter-Dawson Home   [Tours]

An antebellum mansion, built in 1860 and was once home to William Washington Hunter.  The home contains original furnishings including a collection of Mitchell and Rammelsberg furniture.  Located on Dawson Road in New Madrid, MO.

New Madrid Historical Museum  (New Madrid Earthquake]

Housed in a former saloon, the museum offers exhibits related to the history of the area and includes a nice collection of Native American artifacts.  Featured is the collection about the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.  Visit at No.1 Main Street in New Madrid, MO.

George Washington Carver National Monument

Nodaway County Historical Society and Museum

The Champ Clark House

[Pike County History]

Known as Honeyshuck, it was the Missouri home of The Honorable Champ Clark and his family, this National Historic Landmark interprets the public life and political legacies of Champ Clark, Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives (1911-1919),... and his son, Bennett, co-founder of The American Legion.  The historic home still contains many of the Clark family furnishings.  Located at 207 E. Champ Clark Drive in Bowling Green, MO.

Clarksville Museum

Located on the historic Great River Road (Hwy. 79), the museum contains artifacts and documents related to the early history of this farming community.

Crown Valley Port House

Elgin Cottrell House

The Hezekiah Elgin House was built ca 1845 and is known as one of the oldest houses in the City of Clarksville.  The Elgins figured prominently in early Clarksville history, building the Elgin Opera House and Hotel.  The Elgin family occupied the Elgin Cottrell house for more than 100 years.  Richard Cottrell, local artist and avid antique collector is lovingly restoring the home to it's antebellum glory.  When complete, the home will feature one of the most extensive collections of antique furniture, decorative accessories and formal portraits in the state of Missouri.  Located at 209 S. First Street in Clarksville, MO.  Please call Richard Cottrell at 573-242-9688 for an appointment.

Louisiana Area Historical Museum

Nestled in the Georgia Street Historic District at 304 Georgia Street, this building is just one of the historical buildings of area making it one of the most Victorian streets in the state of Missouri.  Inside the museum you will find artifacts, antiques and a Hercules Room from the early days of Louisiana, MO.

River Heritage Museum

Overlooking the U.S. Lock and Dam #24 in Clarksville, the museum offers visitors insight into the early times and history of the Mississippi River and Clarksville, Missouri area.

Ben Ferrel 1882 Mini Mansion Museum   [Platte Co. History]

Bonnell House Museum

Weston Historical Museum   [Historic Homes]  [History]

Polk County Historical Museum

Ray County History Museum  [Mini Tour]

28 rooms of historical exhibits including a Civil War room, old school room, period Doctor's office, old farm shed full of implements, a beautiful quilt room and more will allow you to soak up some Ray County history.  Located at 900 W. Royale Street in Richmond, MO on the Ray County Fairgrounds.

The museum features interesting artifacts and genealogy records related to the history and heritage of Miami, Saline County, Missouri.  Open by appointment only.  Call 660-852-3305.

Village of Arrow Rock

This entire village has been designated as a National Historical Landmark.  Associated with the Santa Fe Trail and westward expansion, the village includes many historical structures including the 1837 George Caleb Bingham House.  George Caleb Bingham is one of America's great artists and recorded much of the history of Missouri in his works.  Visitors will step back in time to an earlier day in Arrow Rock.  Located 13 miles north of I-70 on Hwy 41 in Saline County, MO.

Historic Bethel German Colony  [Colony Houses]

Bethel is an historic German colony led by Wilhelm Keil in 1844 from Pennsylvania to the area in Shelby County, Missouri.  Today, there are over 30 structures surviving and visitors can get a taste of what it was like 150 years ago in this living history museum.  Located on Highway 15 in Bethel, MO.

Devoted to the history of St. Clair County and the surrounding area, the museum also features a research library.  Located at the corner of Main Street and Chestnut in Osceola, MO.

Boonesfield Village  [Daniel Boone Home]

The last permanent residence of Daniel Boone was built between 1804 and 1810.  It is now open to visitors year round and offers a glimpse into the past.  The connecting Boonesfield Village, features over a dozen 19th century buildings which include a 1793 Spanish fort, Peace Chapel, an 1831 schoolhouse and the 1807 Sappington / Dressel Home.  Lindenwood University is in the process of making this a living history village.  Located at 1868 Highway F in Defiance, MO.

Lewis and Clark Center

St. Charles County Historical Museum   [Historic Photos]

Housed inside the 1830s Old Market House, the museum is focused on the preservation and study of the history of St. Charles County, Missouri.  The archives features historical documents, photos and items related to genealogy research of the St. Charles County area.  Location is 101 S. Main Street in St. Charles, MO.

Housed in Federal Mill Number 3, it was the largest mill in the old SE Missouri Lead District.  Exhibits related to the early lead mining history of this area.  Located in Park Hills, MO.

The Space Museum

The space Museum is unique to Southeast Missouri in that it houses hundreds of artifacts dedicated to man’s greatest achievement. Items include articles flown in space, flown to the moon and authentic space gear. The multinational exhibit comprehensively chronicles man’s conquest of the “final frontier” from his first faltering steps to the International Space Station and the planetary probes of today.  Located at 116 East School Street in Bonne Terre, MO.

The Bolduc House Properties

The 1770 Louis Bolduc House was the first restored historic structure in Ste. Genevieve.  The French Colonial style house was moved to it's present location after the great flood of 1783.  Operated and maintained by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri, the Louis Bolduc House and its next door neighbor the Bolduc-LeMilleur House are open to the public seasonally along with several other homes in this Historic French Colonial Village.  Located at 121 & 123 South Main Street in Ste. Genevieve, MO.

Jacques Guibourd Historic House  [History]

Built in 1806, the home is open for tours and features a lovely historic garden area.  Discover what life was like in the era of Lewis & Clark.  Located at 4th & Merchant Streets in Sainte Genevieve, MO.

Sainte Genevieve Museum

Campbell House Museum

[Campbell Family History]

This historic home was built in 1851 and was home to the Robert Campbell family for over 80 years.  Containing many original furnishings and photographs, the museum is known as one of the most accurately restored 19th century buildings in America.  Located at 1508 Locust Street in St. Louis, MO.

Eugene Field House & St. Louis Toy Museum  [Virtual Tour]

Built ca 1845, this row house has been maintained by the Eugene Field House Foundation.  The house was home to children's poet Eugene Field who wrote nursery rhymes "Little Boy Blue" and Wynken, Blynken, and Nod".  The house features a Toy Museum, houses personal possessions of the poet and is decorated in period furnishings.  Located at 634 S. Broadway in St. Louis, MO.

Gateway Arch Riverfront - Museum of Westward Expansion

Historic House Museums of St. Louis

Good photos and information about the lovely old historic homes of St. Louis, Missouri.

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

This well known landmark is famous as the "Gateway to the West", it is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson and his role in opening the West to the pioneers.  Located in downtown St. Louis on the Mississippi River.

Missouri Civil War and Jefferson Barracks Museum

Kewpie Museum at Bonniebrook Historical Society  [History]

Old Taney County Jail

The jail is the only civil building remaining from the original town of Forsyth, MO.  It is currently being restored.

Bushwhacker Museum  [Exhibits]

[Photo Gallery] [Laura's History]

Along with the Wilder home, are exhibits of artifacts related to the pioneer history described in the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Located at 3068 Highway A in Mansfield, MO.

Museum Index for Other States