Latest News & Announcements

History comes alive over the lunch hour this fall as the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO) presents a new season of History on Elm, a free monthly program series exploring the people, places, events, art and stories that have shaped Missouri and the nation. 

Special thanks to Central Bank | Central Trust and Shortwave Coffee, which helps support this series.

The State Historical Society of Missouri will host the world premiere of The Trail State, a new documentary film that examines how Missouri has taken a leadership role in trail-making, bringing communities together and creating accessibility throughout the state for the public to enjoy its natural beauty. The film, conceived and executive produced by Magnificent Missouri, is directed and produced by Once Films of St. Louis.

This week, August 3 through August 7, SHSMO is hosting a giving campaign to help collect, preserve and share important photos and stories, so you can see more of what you love on our website. 

The State Historical Society of Missouri is seeking proposals of up to $1,000, each, to help Missouri cultural heritage institutions preserve and provide access to local history. The deadline for organizations to submit their application is September 15, 2026. The one-year grant period begins in October 2026. The Richard S. Brownlee Missouri Local History grants honor a long-time former executive director of the State Historical Society who helped expand the Society’s holdings of newspapers, reference materials, manuscripts and artworks.

Middle school students from St. Louis, Peculiar, Raymore, Dixon, Richmond Heights, Waynesville, and Belton, participated in the Missouri Civics Bee sponsored by The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber Foundation, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, University of Missouri Kinder Institute for Constitutional Democracy, and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Regional partners include Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce and Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. 

A public reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at the State Historical Society of Missouri, 605 Elm St., Columbia, on July 8, 5 p.m. The nation’s founding document will be read simultaneously across the United States to mark the 250th reading of the Declaration of Independence. The public is invited to attend for free the Declaration of Independence Festival, which will include a reception at 4 p.m. Tiger Stripe ice cream will be served to the first 250 guests in attendance.

Fifty-four students from Missouri were among the 3,000 students who competed at the National History Day contest in College Park, Maryland June 15-18. Missouri students received multiple awards and special prizes. This year’s theme was Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. The National History Day program in Missouri is organized and sponsored by the State Historical Society of Missouri. Students in grades 6-12 who received 1st and 2nd place at the state level moved on to the national contest held on the campus of University of Maryland.

Staff of the State Historical Society hosted a brunch recently at the Center for Missouri Studies to honor the volunteers who have provided assistance to the Society during the past year. Over 4,000 volunteer hours – an equivalent of two full-time staff – has helped SHSMO carry out its work. From a larger perspective, volunteers have contributed over 53,000 hours to SHSMO since we began tracking their hours in 2005.

The State Historical Society of Missouri is seeking proposals for two Gary R. Kremer Center for Missouri Studies fellowships to begin January 1, 2027. Each fellowship carries a stipend of $5,000 for a project resulting in a scholarly essay on one of the two topics listed below. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 8, 2026.

Just under 500 middle and high school students from across the state competed in the National History Day state contest April 25, 2026, on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. The annual program is sponsored and organized by the State Historical Society of Missouri. Fifty-five Missouri students who received first and second place in the state contest will compete in the national contest June 14-18 at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.