Events

As part of its mission to generate interest and appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the state and its people, the Society hosts a wide range of engaging and educational events for scholars and community members of all ages.

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B&W photo of vintage Route 66 signage
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
August 11–13 | The Old Glass Place, Springfield
Stop by the Society's vendor table to visit with SHSMO's Kathleen Seale and Haley Frizzle-Green. You will find information about a new collecting initiative plus hear about the Society’s collections of manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and more.
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Nurses at Springfield Canteen Hospital, October 1918.
1918 Flu Epidemic in Missouri
August 16, 6:00 pm | James Memorial Library, St. James
Join Kathleen Seale and discover how different communities in Missouri experienced and responded to the 1918 flu epidemic.
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An interview being conducted in an Ozarks church
African American Heritage in the Ozarks: Southwest Missouri Digitization Event
August 20, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Carver National Monument, Diamond
Presented in partnership with the U.S. National Park Service, join us at George Washington Carver National Monument for a free digitization event focused on African American heritage in the Ozarks! Residents of Newton, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Barry, Barton, and Dade counties, as well as points throughout the southwestern Ozarks, are invited. The event is free, but registration is required.
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Reads In Their Own Words, Voices of the National Women and Media Collection
Voices of the National Women and Media Collection
August 24, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Virtual Program
Hear from three women whose records are archived as part of the National Women and Media Collection. Andrea Stone, Betsey Bruce, and Sheila Gibbons will talk about the changing roles for women in the media industry; trends for the future; and how they were able to navigate careers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Online and free, registration required.
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A Black woman sits on a step in front of a building
Opening Reception: Mr. Pruitt’s Possum Town
August 25, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
Join us at the Center for Missouri Studies on August 25 for the opening reception of Mr. Pruitt’s Possum Town with curator Dr. Berkley Hudson, professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism.
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Says "New from Gary R. Kremer shop.shsmo.org" with book cover of "This Place of Promise" by Gary R. Kremer
Missouri Book Festival
August 27, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Washington, Missouri

Join us in downtown Washington, Missouri, for the Missouri Book Festival! State Historical Society of Missouri executive director Gary R. Kremer will present on his recent publication, This Place of Promise: A Historian’s Perspective on 200 Years of Missouri History at 2 p.m. at Washington City Hall.

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In Their Own Words, a new exhibit
Opening Reception: In Their Own Words
September 7, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
Join us at the Center for Missouri Studies on September 7 for the opening reception of In Their Own Words, an exhibit detailing the struggles and triumphs of important media women–straight from their diaries, letters, and interviews. A special pop-up exhibit featuring materials from the National Women and Media Collection will also be available during the reception.
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Portrait of Civil War soldier Henry Skaggs
Finding Your Civil War Ancestor
September 15, 1:00 pm | Virtual Program
Join SHSMO's Bill Eddleman as he discusses researching Civil War ancestors and highlights critical resources to explore. Online and free, registration required.
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A black and white photo of the Benny Sharp Band performing. The female lead singer is in the foreground.
Opening Reception: Music in Missouri
September 15, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | SHSMO St. Louis Research Center
Meet us in St. Louis September 15, 4-6 p.m., and explore Missouri’s role in shaping American sound with a reception for Music in Missouri, an exhibit that details Missouri’s contribution to American music, specifically St. Louis music styles, such as ragtime, jazz, rock ‘n roll, and rap.
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National History Day in Missouri logo
Make History: National History Day in Missouri Documentary Night
September 22, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia
Join us for a National History Day in Missouri documentary showcase and learn how you can uncover history as you take part in the National History Day competition by producing a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website.
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Says "New from Gary R. Kremer shop.shsmo.org" with book cover of "This Place of Promise" by Gary R. Kremer
Capital READ Author Talk: Gary R. Kremer and "This Place of Promise"
September 27, 7:00 pm | Missouri River Regional Library, Jefferson City
Hear SHSMO executive director Gary R. Kremer speak on his latest title, This Place of Promise, as part of MRRL's Capital READ series.
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Says "Restoring Connections Missouri Library Association 2022 Annual Conference"
Missouri Library Association Annual Conference
September 28–30 | Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield
Stop by the Society's table in the exhibit hall to visit with SHSMO's Katie Seale and Haley Frizzle-Green. You will find information on the Society’s collection of manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and more.
Learn more

National History Day in Missouri logo
Teaching with National History Day: NHD in the Classroom
October 13, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Join us at MOCHE's 17th Annual Best Practices Conference for a deep dive into the National History Day program for grades 6-12!
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Save the Date Oct. 29, 2022 for the My Missouri Lecture and Annual Meeting
SHSMO Annual Meeting and My Missouri Lecture Featuring Senator Roy Blunt
October 29, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm | Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
Join us on October 29 for the SHSMO Annual Meeting and to hear U.S. Senator Roy D. Blunt deliver the 2022 My Missouri Lecture.
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On Demand Programs

Many State Historical Society of Missouri programs are freely available on demand to worldwide audiences. The most recently published videos are available at the links below. See all on demand programs here.

Basic Genealogy, Part Twelve: How to Write Your Family History
Watch as Bill Eddleman explores how to write and share your family history.
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National History Day in Missouri 2022 Awards Ceremony

National History Day in Missouri (NHDMO) is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to explore the past in a creative, hands-on way by producing a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website on a topic of their choosing. Watch as NHDMO Coordinator Danielle Griego, PhD, announces the 2022 state contest award winners.

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Basic Genealogy, Part Eleven: Introduction to Using DNA for Genealogy
Watch as Bill Eddleman discusses the structure and function of DNA; different types of DNA—Y-DNA, mitochondrial, and autosomal—and when they are useful for different questions. Eddleman also provides information about testing and companies and the basics on how to use the data once you have results.
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"White Man’s Paper Trail: Extinguishing Indigenous Land Claims in Missouri" with Greg Olson

Watch as Greg Olson, independent researcher, writer, and 2020 Center for Missouri Studies Fellow, discusses his article, “White Man’s Paper Trail: Extinguishing Indigenous Land Claims in Missouri.”

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See all On Demand Programs

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