Missouri State Capitol

Description

The Missouri State Capitol Building's ground floor serves as the Missouri State Museum. As such, it offers two halls—one dedicated to state history and one to the state's natural resources. The three other floors of the 1924 structure are also open to the public. Noted artists who were involved in the building's creation include Frank Brangwyn, N.C. Wyeth, James Earle Fraser and Alexander Stirling Calder.

The museum offers exhibits and dioramas, while a 30-minute guided tour is available for the entirety of the building.

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site [MO]

Description

Sitting atop a 120-foot bluff, Bothwell Lodge is a castlelike building constructed between 1897 and 1928 for a prominent Sedalia lawyer, John Homer Bothwell. Bothwell's eclectic furnishings, most of which remain today, and informal atmosphere represent his intentions of providing a recreational retreat.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Graham Cave State Park [MO]

Description

Nestled in the hills above the Loutre River in Montgomery County, Graham Cave State Park features an unusual sandstone cave that contained evidence that rewrote history books. Once used for shelter, Graham Cave became historically significant when archaeologists discovered how long ago human occupancy had occurred. University of Missouri archaeologists uncovered artifacts revealing human use of the cave dating back to as early as 10,000 years ago. Clues to the lifestyle of the ancient Dalton and Archaic period Native Americans were uncovered. Today, visitors are allowed in the entrance of the cave, where interpretive signs point out interesting discoveries.

The park offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum [MO]

Description

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum exhibits include artifacts spanning over a century of the pioneer history described in the Little House books. The books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957), chronicle the author's life in a pioneer family. The life, writings, and career of Rose Wilder Lane (1886-1968), Laura's daughter, are also featured in a section of the museum. Recreations of rooms from Rose's homes, her desks, her manuscripts, and souvenirs from her world travels are also displayed. The museum is located at Rocky Ridge Farm, where Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her famous novels.

The museum offers period rooms and exhibits. The website offers word finds, book quizzes, and coloring pages.

The John Wornall House Museum [MO]

Description

Wealthy Kentuckian John B. Wornall built the John Wornall House in 1858. The home was built in the Greek-Revival style of architecture and became known as "the most pretentious house in the section." The home has been restored to its state immediately after it was built, and is open to visitors year round.

The home offers guided tours, special events, summer camps, and educational trunks. The website offers a history of the home, visitor information, and a calendar of events.

Campbell House Museum [MO]

Description

Built in 1851, the first house in the elegant neighborhood Lucas Place, the Campbell House was the home of renowned fur trader and entrepreneur Robert Campbell and his family from 1854 until 1938. The museum contains hundreds of original Campbell possessions including furniture, paintings, clothing, letters, carriages, and a unique set of interior photographs taken in the mid-1880s.

The museum offers tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Pony Express National Museum [MO]

Description

On April 3, 1860, a lone rider left on horseback from the gates of one of the nation's now-historic landmarks, the Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph, MO. Carrying saddlebags filled with the nation's hopes and dreams, the riders traveled 2,000 miles west to Sacramento, CA. These brave young souls raced against nature's cruel elements and rugged terrain in an attempt to unite a country separated by distance. Today, the stables continue to stand as a tribute to the legend and legacy of the Pony Express and its enduring era. The Museum invites visitors to come and experience the many exciting, educational, state-of-the-art exhibits conveying the need, creation, operation, and termination of the Pony Express.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

1904 World's Fair: Looking Back at Looking Forward

Image
Photo, Entrance to Creation on the Pike, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, LoC
Annotation

Marking the 100th anniversary of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, an event designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, this site documents the extensive preparation for the event that saw 20 million visitors.

Virtual Fair recreates the original layout of the fair and allows visitors to see many of the original sights and structures through 100 contemporary photographs. Artifacts allows viewers to see 32 items significant to the fair and the subsequent Olympic Games. Short, 500- to 1,000-word essays detail the enormous preparations required for hosting the fair. Educators provides some useful materials for teachers, but is designed primarily for teachers planning to bring students to the site of the exhibition.