Missouri Humanities

First Saturdays at Keystone: Arts, Culture & Creative Entrepreneurship
2026-05-02, 2026-04-04 | Keystone CoLAB, 800 E 18th St, Kansas City, 64108

GCI’s Cinco de Mayo 100th Anniversary
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Guadalupe Centers, 1015 Avenida Cesar E Chavez, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Kansas City Metro area and beyond—mark your calendars for the 100th anniversary of our iconic Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!
Join us on the historic Westside, where it all began in 1926, for an unforgettable celebration on the evening of May 1 and all day on May 2. Free admission.
Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first-time visitor, we invite you to be part of this vibrant celebration of culture and heritage. Enjoy flavorful, authentic food, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and the incredible talents of local vendors and artists. ¡Nos vemos ahí!
Local Vendors • Artists • Live Music • Authentic Food • Family Fun Zone
Event is rain or shine. Lawn chairs are welcome. No outside food, drinks, weapons, or pets allowed.

The Great Tornado of 1925
2026-05-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Crowder State Park, 76 MO-128, Trenton, 64683
A hundred years ago, the deadliest tornado in American history originated in southern Missouri. Now known as the “Tri-State Tornado,” the storm originated near Ellington and swept through southeast Missouri before crossing into Illinois and Indiana. The devastation of the Tri-State Tornado revealed flaws in the nation’s storm forecasting and reporting system that grew out of a lack of coordination and a misplaced desire to avoid public panic, flaws that took decades to correct. This presentation uses contemporary accounts and images to re-create Missouri’s portion of “the forgotten storm.”

Richmond Mushroom Festival
2026-05-01 08:00 - 2026-05-03 22:00 | MO
The 45th Annual Mushroom Festival in Richmond, MO, takes place from May 1, to May 2, 2026, featuring a variety of activities, food vendors, and contests celebrating mushrooms.
Food and Vendors: Attendees can enjoy a wide range of food options, including mushroom-themed dishes from various food trucks, such as mushroom burgers and fried mushrooms. There will also be craft and art vendors showcasing mushroom-related creations.
Contests: The festival features several contests, including the Mr. and Ms. Mushroom contest, a sidewalk chalk art contest, and the highly anticipated biggest mushroom contest, where participants compete to showcase the largest morel mushroom.
Entertainment: The festival includes a car show, tractor show, and Midland Evans carnival rides, making it a family-friendly event for all ages.
Our festival is located in the downtown Richmond, Missouri square.

Drop-in History: Reconstruction in Missouri
2026-04-30 17:00 - 19:30 | John Wornal House Museum, 6115 Wornall Road, Kansas City MO, MO, 64113, United States
Celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday by exploring Missouri’s stories right where they happened at the Wornall/Majors House Museums. This six-part series of free, drop-in programs invites you to wander, engage, and chat your way through hands-on history experiences.
Drop-In History: Reconstruction in Missouri arrives April 30. Delve into this less-talked-about era, marked by tense efforts to heal from war’s devastation in Kansas City and across Missouri. Explore informational signs about the period, a WMHM curator’s exhibit on Exodusters in Hell’s Half Acre, and a new fictional work taking place in the period by Tom Owens.
At 5:30, Mr. Dave will host an elementary storytime.
At 6:30 p.m., the Alexander/Madison Chapter of KC Buffalo Soldiers presents From Slaves to Soldiers at the front of the house.
Advance registration is appreciated, but not required.

Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit in Springfield, MO
2026-04-30 11:00 - 2026-05-02 16:00 | Crawford County Historical Society, 308 N. Smith, Cuba, MO, 65453, United States
In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the stories and images of the Mother Road to life across Missouri. The Exhibit includes two stops in the state kicking off in Springfield, Missouri from April 30–May 2 followed by Cuba, Missouri from May 3–Sept. 14, 2026. Then in the fall the exhibit will travel to Pacific, Carthage and St. Louis. All events are free and family-friendly.
The Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of Missourians connected by Route 66.
“From the glow of neon signs to the steady hum of tires on open pavement, every mile of Route 66 tells a story,” said exhibit organizer and documentarian Katrina Parks, of Assertion Films. “For nearly a century, the road has drawn visitors from around the world and continues to hold countless stories waiting to be uncovered. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit brings these stories to life and highlights the humanity of the Mother Road from a variety of perspectives.”
Drawing from Parks’ acclaimed PBS documentary film series, Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road, the traveling exhibit invites visitors to explore how Route 66 shaped American history, culture, and identity through the stories of the people who lived, worked, and traveled along it.
The Exhibit will debut at the Gillioz Gallery located at 325 Park Central East in Springfield, Missouri on Thursday, April 30th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. At 3. p.m., join Kaisa Barthuli longtime program director for the National Park Service’s Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in conversation with Irv Logan and Elizabeth Calvin, who share the story of their grandmother Alberta Ellis and her hotel, a vital stop for Black travelers listed in the Green Book. At 4 p.m., there will be a special presentation by Kathleen Seale, SHSMO Rolla and the Springfield coordinator, on the history of the Rotoscope film process developed by Missouri Route 66 entrepreneur Rowe Carney Jr., of Rolla, and his colleague Tom Smith of Urbana.
At 5 p.m., Township and Range will give an acoustic performance, followed by a panel discussion at 6 p.m. led by documentarian Katrina Parks, educational content developer Kari Kussmann, Missouri Route 66 Association CFO Larry Sernyk, and Missouri Route 66 Association President Jeremy Morris.
On Friday, May 1, the exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. School groups are encouraged to visit, and an art activity is planned. Please RSVP to joy@gillioz.org. The Missouri Jazz Orchestra will play that evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for attendees. On Saturday, May 2nd, the exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Look Again: Uncovering St. Louis
2026-04-29 18:30 - 19:30 | St. Charles City-County Library-Kathryn Linnemann Branch, 2323 Elm St, St. Charles, 63301
How do small changes alter how we see a place? In this interactive program, participants will explore altered historical images of St. Louis—from photographs and paintings to maps and newspaper clippings—and try to “spot the difference.” Each image holds a story, and once the difference is revealed, we’ll dive into a conversation about what the image shows, what’s missing and what it means, drawing attention to change over time and uncovering unexpected layers of the city’s past. From the serious to the surprising, each difference offers a window into the visual and cultural history of St. Louis.

Climate and Canvas
2026-04-26 13:00 - 17:00 | Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Boulevard, St.Louis, 63108
Climate & Canvas is the culminating event of Gateway to the Great Outdoors’ (GGO) environmental arts program with students from Froebel Elementary School. Over several weeks, students explored climate issues, reflected on their connection to the environment, and transformed their ideas into original sculptural works. The program combines environmental education with creative expression, helping students understand their role in shaping a more sustainable future.
To celebrate their work, we are hosting a free, one-day public showcase on April 26th at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis. Families, friends, and community members will be invited to experience the students’ sculptures and see how young artists are interpreting climate and environmental themes through art.
This event is made possible through community partnerships and sponsorships, which support both the Climate & Canvas program and future opportunities for students to engage with environmental learning through the arts. By becoming a sponsor, you help provide the resources that allow students to explore climate education in creative and meaningful ways while sharing their work with the broader community.

Ranger Talk: Plant Like Grant! Farming at White Haven
2026-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
White Haven was a working farm from the time that Col. Frederick F. Dent purchased
the property in 1820 until after Grant’s ownership ending in 1885, and into the early 20th
century. Ranger Blake discusses Grant’s farming experience at Hardscrabble as well as the
farming process for the Dent family and enslaved laborers at White Haven.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

War Pigeon! Missouri’s role in the training of pigeons and pigeoneers in WWII
2026-04-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Platte County Historical Society, 220 Ferrel Street, Platte City, 64079
War Pigeon! Missouri’s role in the training of pigeons and pigeoneers in WWII
Neosho, Missouri found itself the home to Camp Crowder, a US Army Signal Corps replacement training center, built in 1942. In 1943, the Army Signal Pigeon Corps moved from New Jersey to Missouri and began operations. Camp Crowder became the training and breeding home to the pigeon corps. Several of the ten Signal Pigeon Companies the Army created in WWII were built and training at Camp Crowder. In 1946 the pigeons moved back to New Jersey, leaving an unusual history in the Missouri base that has long been forgotten.
The presentation covers the Pigeon Corps from 1917-1957, with an emphasis on the training program at Camp Crowder. It also covers the unusual field formation of the Signal Pigeon Company, the only Army formation capable of self-sustaining it’s own staffing due to breeding of birds. Stories of hero birds are also told. The program survived through the Korean War and was disbanded in 1957, 40 years after it’s creation.

Author Talk: Following Ulysses Grant through our National Parks
2026-04-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Join Dan Kroese, traveler who has visited all NPS sites, as he retraces different periods
and events in Grant’s life through the National Park Service sites that tell much of his life
story. Over thirty NPS sites across the country, from the Atlantic Seaboard to the Pacific,
are directly connected with Ulysses Grant. The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230
for reservations.

A Cass County Bed Turning
2026-04-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Pearson Hall, 400 E Mechanic, Harrisonville, MO 64701, 400 E Mechanic, Harrisonville, MO, 64701, United States
Historical and modern quilts will be displayed and the history and pattern information will be shared by the presenters. This is a program that invites audience participation and up-close inspection (eyes only) of the quilts for full appreciation of the incredible workmanship of these very utilitarian works of art.

Planting Roots: Outdoor Movie Night
2026-04-18 18:30 - 22:00 | The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 Saint Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63106, United States
We are partnering with New Roots Urban Farm for our
first event of the long-term Griot Green initiative
dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds, connecting
local farmers and apothecaries, and supporting
sustainable and accessible food systems.
The Event will begin with a hands-on seed starter
activity with local farmers at 6:30 PM followed by a
screening of Wall-E starting at 7:30PM.
Join us to learn how to grow your own food and care for the earth.
Free Popcorn and seed/seedling giveaways! Bring your
blankets and lawn chairs!

Speaker Series: The Battle of Fort San Carlos
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
As the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States approaches, join us at the Field House Museum to learn about St. Louis’ own Revolutionary War battle.
Ron Hack will speak on the Battle of Fort San Carlos (the Battle of St. Louis) which played a pivotal role in America’s ultimate success against the British in the American Revolutionary War. He will explain the battle itself, the factors leading up to the attack in 1780, and how the battle shaped the future of St. Louis and Missouri.
This program is free with limited availability in person and on Zoom. Reservations must be made in advance on our website, by calling the Museum at 314-421-4689, or by emailing info@fieldhousemuseum.org.
About the Speaker:
Mr. Hack is a retired attorney who practiced law with several area law firms. He has been a lifelong student of local history. He graduated with a B.A. In History and Political Science from Westminster College, and received his law degree in 1981 from the University of Missouri School of Law-Columbia. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (Spirit of St. Louis Chapter) and Sons of Union Veterans (Grant Camp). He is a member and past Chair of the Sunset Hills Conservation Foundation and a member of the Sunset Hills Historical Society.

2026 Missouri Book Festival
2026-04-18 09:00 - 14:00 | Washington Public Library, 410 Lafayett St., Washington, 63090
The Missouri Book Festival celebrates the best of regional life, culture, and history with an array of dynamic programming meant to promote literacy and encourage reading. Events take place in Washington, the quintessential Missouri town. Here, books that feature stories on the Show-Me State come to life in food demonstrations, sports exhibitions, myriad forms of performance, and lively author talks and discussions.

Community Preview & Talk "Barter Boat: Engaging Communities on Route 66 Through Object Exchange"
2026-04-13 19:00 - 20:00 | MO
In celebration of the Route 66 Centennial, the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO) presents Barter Boat—a traveling art project built on object exchange, storytelling, and community connection.
Before we dock downtown on May 1st, join artist and professor Desireé Moore at the Springfield Library Center on April 13th for a community preview. Learn how the project works, hear stories from past trades, and find out how you can contribute to a new oral history archive. Whether you have a small trinket or a legendary Route 66 story, we want to hear from you!
Want to try it out? Bring an item to barter with us during the talk!
Desireé Moore is an Assistant Professor of Digital Storytelling and Film Production at the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Barter Boat is a collaborative project by Anna Elliott, Desireé Moore, and Robin Schwartzman. Sponsored by SHSMO in partnership with Missouri Humanities and the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund.

History Talk: Did the Civil War Really End at Appomattox?
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
It is commonly believed that the Civil War ended at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. However, was that really the case? As the Confederacy was falling apart an estimated 175,000 troops remained in the field and were not included in the surrender. These troops were loosely dispersed throughout the Confederacy. Confederate President Jefferson Davis vowed to keep the war going.
Ranger Ashton Farrell returns to the park to discuss what happened in the weeks and months after Generals Grant and Lees met at Appomattox Court House.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Second Sunday- Free Days at the Museum
2026-04-12 10:00 - 16:00 | The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112, Kansas City, M, 64112, United States
Bring the whole family to Free Days at the Museum. Occurring on every second Sunday of the month, Free Days provide greater access to The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures’ vast and awe-inspiring collections for visitors near and far.
All attendees can explore the Museum at no charge.

History Talk: Now is Our Time to Strike: 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry
2026-04-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were the first black troops to see combat in the American Civil War and this distinction was given to them at a battle that took place in Missouri!
The risks they took in fighting for freedom included re-enslavement and death, yet they joined anyways and helped to encourage hundreds of thousands of others African Americans to do the same. General Grant himself said ‘They will make good soldiers’, and he could not have been more correct.
Come join Park Ranger Cody Faber as he discusses this important unit’s creation, the battles they fought in, where they served and how their fight for freedom made them so influential in America’s history!
The program is free but reservations are required. For reservations call 314-842-1867 ext. 230.

Civil War Weekend
2026-04-11 10:00 - 2026-04-12 16:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
A living history event celebrating life during the Civil War. Activities throughout both days include soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, 19th century
musical performances, an old-time medicine show by Professor Farquar & Miss Polecat Annie, and information on researching your Civil War ancestors.
This event is free and brought to you by your National Park Service.

A Life in Columns: Stories from Bill McClellan
2026-04-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Field House Museum is pleased to welcome longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan for a special program on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
For more than 40 years, Bill McClellan has written a beloved column that captures the everyday life of St. Louis. He often compares his work to that of a historian, chronicling the daily lives of people in and around St. Louis. Characters come and go, and sometimes pop up again. Many of his stories are about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Other characters are stories in and of themselves. Join us as McClellan shares some of these memorable stories and reflects on the people and moments that have shaped his decades of writing about St. Louis.
This program is free with limited availability in person and on Zoom. Reservations must be made in advance on our website, by calling the Museum at 314-421-4689, or by emailing info@fieldhousemuseum.org.
About the Speaker:
Bill McClellan grew up in Chicago and, after a brief stint at the University of Illinois, he served in the Marine Corps. After the service, he lived in Arizona, where he completed school and got a newspaper job in Phoenix. He later followed his girlfriend to St. Louis when she came to attend dental school—she is now his wife. Together they have two children and five grandchildren.

Echoes of Blackness
2026-04-01 09:00 - 2026-04-28 17:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
New Short Term Exhibit from April 1-28, 2026: Echoes of Blackness by Dawn Tree
Dawn Tree is a abstract surrealist artist, journalist, and author. Founder of Underground Tree Studios, she creates vibrant works on wood and textiles, blending heritage with social justice to bridge history and activism.

12 Months of Giving
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30 | Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, 4700 Belleview Ave Suite 304, Kansas City, 64112
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, giving back matters. Through our 12 Months of Giving initiative, we’re donating $3,000 each month in 2026 to local nonprofits making a difference. We invite you to nominate a local nonprofit meaningful to you using the form on our event page. Monthly recipients will be announced on our website and social media channels.

GKCBHSG Women's History Month Program
2026-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
The featured guest speaker will be Dr. Debra Foster Greene, professor emerita of United States History at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, who will explore
four years (1906-1910) in the life of educator, author, and activist, Anna Julia Cooper, in her presentation, “Her Exile: Anna Julia Cooper in Missouri.”

Living in Ste. Genevieve House Tour
2026-03-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Two Rivers Gallery, 73 N. Main St., Ste. Genevieve, 63670
This year’s Living in Ste. Genevieve House Tour is focused on transformation and adaptation. Homeowners will discuss recent renovations to the homes you are touring. Some have been major renovation projects, completely transforming the homes for their next chapters. Others have consisted of modernization and a focus on design. Five of the six homes are completely new to the spring tour, and the sixth home (on the tour in 2023) is definitely worth a second look!
Tour private homes throughout the downtown area and see how they are lived in today. Limited tickets available the day of event. Tour six homes at your own pace from 11 am to 2 pm and then have plenty of time to stroll downtown and enjoy shopping, restaurants, museums and historic sites. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Foundation Members. This event is not recommended for small children.
Tour check in is 11 am to Noon at Two Rivers Gallery, 73 N. Main St. Not all homes are accessible. Please contact us at 573-883-9622 with any questions.

Ranger Talk: The Women of White Haven
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
White Haven was home to one of the most famous men of the 19th century, but it was also shaped by the lives of many remarkable women who made or witnessed history in their own right. Park Guide Evan Meyer will explore The Women of White Haven, from Julia Dent Grant and her sisters to the enslaved women who quietly kept the home and farm running.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Cy Avery and the Invention of Route 66
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-20 08:00 - 17:00 | Maplewood Church, 25396 Hwy O, Sedalia, 65301
Author Susan Croce Kelly will tell the story of the early days of Route 66 and how it became an American tourist attraction and a worldwide icon,

Speaker Series: The Skouras Brothers and the Making of the Immigrant American Dream
2026-03-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
Mike Tsichlis explores the life of the Skouras brothers, three Greek immigrants who found the American Dream in St. Louis. The Skouras brothers, driven from their home in Greece by impoverishment, sought opportunity in the United States in 1910. As they worked in hotels in St. Louis, the Skouras brothers looked for opportunities to make their mark. Eventually, the brothers found that opportunity in the theatre and film industry.
Join us, Sunday, March 15th at 1:00pm to learn more about the unique story of the Skouras brothers.
This program is free with limited availability in person and on Zoom. Reservations must be made in advance on our website, by calling the Museum at 314-421-4689, or by emailing info@fieldhousemuseum.org.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Tsichlis was born and raised in the City of St. Louis and is a lifetime resident of the St. Louis region. He has had a passion for learning about St. Louis and Missouri history since reading about local and state history in middle school and visiting historic sites and museums with family and on class field trips, including the Eugene Field House! After finishing a doctorate in Public Policy Studies at Saint Louis University and completing a dissertation examining demographic change in St. Louis, Dr. Tsichlis went on to pursue a career in higher education and non-profit institutional advancement. During this time, he took his childhood interest in regional history to a new level, deeply researching, publishing, and speaking on a variety of topics related to St. Louis and Missouri history, with a special interest in ethnic history, theater and cinema arts, firefighting and public safety, and demographic change.
He is currently completing a biographical manuscript on the Skouras brothers, three Greek immigrant siblings who came to St. Louis and went on to become major motion picture moguls during the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. He resides in Fenton, Missouri with his spouse, a retired school principal and university professor, and their college-aged son.
