History on Elm series offers free public programs at noon on the second Tuesday of the month at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Programs are held September through June. Mark your calendar and join us over the lunch hour! Special thanks to this season's sponsors: Central Bank | Central Trust and Shortwave Coffee.
Tuesday, September 8 Noon – Tom Sawyer at 150: Celebrating Mark Twain's Enduring Classic
This year, 2026, marks the 150th anniversary of one of Mark Twain’s most beloved novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Although it was not Twain’s best-selling work during his lifetime, the novel has never gone out of print. It has been translated into more than 70 languages and continues to offer readers a vivid glimpse into frontier Missouri life and small-town childhood. Through stories and images, Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum Executive Director Megan Rapp will explore the novel’s history, enduring appeal, and relevance today. Attendees will also learn how the museum, located in Hannibal, the inspiration for the novel, continue to preserve Twain’s legacy.
Tuesday, October 13 Noon – The Battle of St. Louis during the American Revolutionary War
Often overshadowed by battles in the East, the Revolutionary War in the West played a pivotal role in shaping the future United States. Orders were issued from the highest levels in Great Britain to sweep the Americans and Spanish from both sides of the Mississippi River. While coordinating several separate attacks, the centerpiece of this grand plan was the descent from the North by a huge British-led contingent of 1,000 men against St. Louis (the administrative center for Spanish Upper Louisiana) and American-held Cahokia, which suffered simultaneous attacks on May 26, 1780. The failure of these coordinated attacks helped secure American and Spanish control of the Mississippi Valley, influencing the nation's eventual western expansion. Presented by Stephen Kling, a practicing attorney and author in St. Louis, who has written extensively on the American Revolution War in the West.
Tuesday, November 10 Noon – Osage Artists Today: Art, Culture, and Connection to Place
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Route 66, which began with a telegram sent to Springfield, Mo., assigning a number to the new highway that would eventually be built from Chicago to California! Presenter Kathleen Seale, coordinator of SHSMO's Rolla and Springfield Research Centers, will bring stories, images, and history on Route 66 along Missouri's portion of the highway. Learn more about the centennial events and SHSMO’s efforts to preserve, share and celebrate the legacy of the road and the Missourians who made it famous.
Tuesday, December 8 Noon – Spencer Station – 100 Years in the Making
As Spencer and Route 66 both mark their centennial year, a once forgotten stretch of America’s Mother Road is experiencing a remarkable revival. Located 24 miles west of Springfield, Mo. in Miller, travelers from across the globe stop at Spencer Station to visit this historical gem that is making a comeback. In this presentation, owner Ed Klein will share the story of restoring his historic “town,” uncovering the layered history of Spencer, its original 1926 concrete roadway, and the 1923 Johnson Creek steel truss bridge just down the road. Together, these landmarks illustrate how Spencer was not only shaped by Route 66 but truly built for the highway that defined a generation of travel.
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History on Elm series explores a variety of topics each month, ranging from Missouri art and authors to unique SHSMO collections. The public is invited to attend. Registration is not required. The programs begin promptly at 12 p.m. and lasts one hour. Do you have an idea of a program or topic for this series? Let us know!
History on Elm series is held inside Cook Hall at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia.