The State Historical Society of Missouri commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration with a variety of programs for all ages. Join us for free public lectures, podcasts, contests, webinars, and live performances in 2026. Below are projects sponsored or in partnership with SHSMO.
Origins: A Reflection on Missouri at 250 & Beyond - monthly podcast
Our Missouri, a podcast produced by the State Historical Society of Missouri, is offering listeners a new 20-episode series, Origins: A Reflection on Missouri at 250 & Beyond, to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial. From the first people to arrive at the land now called Missouri, to the efforts to bring it into the Union as the 24th state, this series, hosted by Sean Rost, examines major moments in the years prior to statehood as well as Missouri’s complex history in relation to the United States’ 250th. New episodes are posted twice a month. Subscribe to My Missouri on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.
You can also find each episode here on the SHSMO website as they come available.
The American Dream - Virtual Program June 24, 11 a.m.
A nation of scrappy strivers, we have been bound since the colonial period by the American Dream, an abiding faith that hard work pays off because of the country’s distinctive equality of opportunity. Dr. Joel Rhodes, executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, explores this central feature of our shared identity, tracing how generations of restless and ambitious Americans have optimistically pursued economic and social mobility while navigating historical challenges and modern realities. Register here for Zoom link.
The Role of the Revolutionary War and its Veterans in the Settlement of Southeast Missouri - June 30, 12-1 p.m. SHSMO Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
The events of the American Revolution and its aftermath led to the settlement of Missouri. In the case of southeastern Missouri, Spanish officials founded New Madrid in 1788 on the site of a village settled by Shawnee-Delaware-Creek-Cherokee bands fleeing west of the Mississippi in the early 1780s. A Revolutionary War veteran, George Morgan, became the Spanish empresario in 1788 and recruited American settlers to the area. Cape Girardeau, founded in 1793 by Louis Lorimier, a British supporter who came to Missouri after his trading post in the old Northwest was burned by American troops, welcomed American families headed by many Revolutionary War patriots beginning in 1795. This program presented by Bill Eddleman, regional director of SHSMO's Cape Girardeau Research Center, will outline the factors attracting Americans to Spanish Louisiana during this time and the background and Revolutionary War service of some leading settlers of the southeast Missouri region.
Obstinate Daughters: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegate Women Who Ignited the American Revolution - June 30, 6 p.m., The Grandel Theatre in St. Louis
You're invited to the Missouri Humanities 2026 keynote event to celebrate America 250! Speaker Denise Kiernan is The New York Times Bestselling author of The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle; join us as she discusses her upcoming book, Obstinate Daughters, about the writers, renegades, enslaved women, soldiers, and community leaders who ignited the fight for America’s independence. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and books available for purchase from Left Bank Books. The program will begin at 6 p.m., which will include an opportunity for audience Q&A, followed by a book signing with the author.
General Admission is $20; Purchase Tickers here and enter code "Kenote" for $5 off tickets.
Sponsored by Missouri Humanities with support from the State Historical Society of Missouri, Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, MU Center for the Humanities, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis Public Radio, and Anders CPA.
General Lafayette's Triumphal Visit to St. Louis as 'Guest of the Nation' - July 1, 12-1 p.m., SHSMO Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
A little over 200 years ago, on April 29, 1825, General Lafayette, the last surviving of the Revolutionary War generals, visited St. Louis. It was said to be the greatest and grandest event ever to occur in St. Louis up to that time, and that Lafayette was “the most extraordinary, beloved and venerated hero that ever set foot on Missouri soil.” He was on a 13-month tour of the United States, 1824-1825, at the invitation of the President James Monroe and the United States Congress, the purpose of which was to celebrate one last time Lafayette’s immense contribution to the nation’s independence and to give him a first-hand view of what the nation had become. It was, in fact, the splendid prelude to our nation’s golden anniversary, 1776-1826. Join us for this special America 250 presentation by longtime SHSMO Trustee and Senior U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.
American Voices Launch: Stories at Sunset - Missouri Tales Featuring Storyteller Larry Brown,July 2, 6-8 p.m., SHSMO Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
In partnership with the State Historical Society of Missouri, join Prometheus under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb for the official launch of their American Voices tour, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. This intimate evening combines Missouri’s rich musical heritage with regional cocktails and storytelling, setting the stage for the weekend’s performances. Meet the professional singers, enjoy curated tales from Missouri’s musical past, and experience preview selections from their complete American Voices program in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Free-will Donation. Learn more about Prometheus here.
Declaration of Independence Festival, July 8, 3-7 p.m. Center for Missouri Studies, Columbia
The State Historical Society of Missouri through its major sponsor Veterans United, is hosting a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 5 p.m., July 8, which will be simultaneously read across the country to mark the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration. Joining us to celebrate the anniversary is the Black Diamond Experience (music of Neil Diamond) and a portrayal of John and Abigail Adams by actors of the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock. Tiger Stripe ice cream will be served, compliments of the Daughters of American Revolution Columbian Chapter.
Please join us for the reception at 4 p.m. The program opens with a Color Guard at 4:50 p.m. The public reading with members of the mid-Missouri community begins at 5 p.m., followed by entertainment until 7 p.m. In addition, the Barter Boat will be open on our parking lot from 3-7 p.m. Bring an item to trade for a treasure on the boat! Free and open to the public - all ages welcome!
Global 250 Lecture Series (recordings now available)
SHSMO is partnering with the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri for a series of lectures in January through May, reflecting on America’s 250th from a global perspective. The lectures are held at Tiger Hotel in Columbia, Mo. and also livestreamed on the Kinder Institute’s Facebook page and YouTube. The recordings are available for viewing on Kinder's YouTube page. The global lectures are free and open to the public.
Check out our events page to learn more and to register. Visit the Kinder Institute for further details on US at 250.
Reflections of 250: Celebrating America’s Past Through Oral Histories
University of Missouri students (ASH Scholars) conducted a series of interviews in 2025 with elected officials, educators, and the citizens to get Missourians’ thoughts on American history from the present day. The oral histories will be part of a new podcast produced by the Kinder Institute. On Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., the public was invited to join a live webinar moderated by Sean Rost, assistant director, research, at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Rost was in conversation with the students about the process of doing oral history and other projects they are working on for the semiquincentennial. The panelists were joined by Doug Genens, SHSMO oral historian. The interviews will be donated to the oral history program at SHSMO.
Southeast Missouri Roots & Branches of the American Revolution
Cape Girardeau Research Center coordinator Bill Eddleman writes a monthly column in the Southeast Missourian on the Revolutionary War veterans who settled in the Cape Girardeau area. In addition, Eddleman is the host of a popular 19-episode Basic Genealogy web series, produced by SHSMO, and recorded live on Zoom and available for later viewing On Demand. Eddleman recently hosted the 19th episode “Documenting Your Revolutionary War Ancestor,” which is available to view anytime.
National History Day in Missouri - national contest June 14-18, College Park, MD
A huge thank you to the America 250 Missouri Commission for providing a grant for our National History Day students in Missouri to receive a pocketbook featuring the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The book, published by Liberty Lives Forever, based in St. Charles, Mo. is being distributed to NHD students at the regional contests in early 2026. This year’s contest theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about Missouri History Day, which involves students in grades 6 through 12 who compete at local, regional, state, and national contests each year. Volunteer judges are always needed and appreciated.
Missouri Civics Bee - July 15, SHSMO Center for Missouri Studies
In 2025, the inaugural Missouri Civics Bee kicked off at SHSMO’s Center for Missouri Studies in Columbia, as part of the annual national contest to engage students in civics and contribute to their communities. The 2026 contest will be held July 15 at the Center for Missouri Studies. The National Civics Bee launched in 2022 with the goal of bringing the contest to each state by the semiquincentennial. Missouri's contest is sponsored by the MU Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy in partnership with Google, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Learn more about Missouri Civics Bee.
America 250 Missouri Commission
The State Historical Society of Missouri is represented on the America 250 Missouri Commission, which is planning and promoting statewide programs, events and projects throughout 2026. To learn more about what’s happening around the state, visit showme250.mo.gov.