Latest News & Announcements

The State Historical Society of Missouri will host its 6th Annual Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia. Visit 17 booths featuring gift items created by local and regional artisans while strolling through the festively decorated Center for Missouri Studies. Refreshments will be served, and the event is free to the public. Books and Missouri-themed gifts will also be available for purchase in the bookstore. 

The State Historical Society is offering several live webinars in December. On December 5 at 1 p.m., Bill Eddleman continues his Basic Genealogy series with “Combining Traditional and Archival Resources to Tell a Life Story: Michael S. Eddlemon.” This presentation documents how “beyond the basics” resources can give us a more complete picture of our ancestors. The story will weave a biography by integrating both traditional and “beyond the basics” sources.

This year marks 50 years since historian Gary Kremer, executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, published his first essay on the African American experience in Missouri. Kremer will discuss some of his most important findings over the course of a half century of research and writing on the topic of race in Missouri. The public is invited to Kremer’s talk on Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m., at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia, Mo. A public reception will be held beginning at 6 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed artist and Missouri native Bryan Haynes will be the featured speaker for History on Elm, Tuesday, Nov. 12, noon, at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm Street, Columbia. 

The State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO) Executive Director Gary Kremer will retire from his position in October 2025 after more than 21 years with the Society and more than 50 years as a highly regarded leader, educator, and advocate for preserving, publishing and sharing the state’s history. Kremer announced his retirement plans at the recent annual meeting of the State Historical Society of Missouri. During his tenure, Kremer led the organization through tremendous growth in services and facilities to benefit Missourians across the state.

The State Historical Society of Missouri invites the public to view a new exhibit, Wild Missouri – the ART of Conservation, open now through March 29, 2025, at the SHSMO Art Gallery located in the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia. A public reception featuring the exhibit’s curator Joan Stack and photographer Noppadol Paothong will be held Saturday, October 26 from 1:30-3 p.m.

Jefferson City native Dr. Greg Markway is a descendant of a child who rode on the orphan train from New York to Missouri. He has done extensive research tracing his grandfather's journey to Missouri and will be sharing some of his finding at the next History on Elm program, Oct. 8, noon, at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies. 

Missouri History Day, administered by the State Historical Society of Missouri as part of the National History Day contest, recently received a major grant of $15,000 from Missouri Humanities for the 2024-2025 contest year. Missouri Humanities is a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant funding will be used for student and teacher workshops, contest venue costs, and to help offset the costs for program supplies and promotional giveaways at outreach events statewide. 

Explore the new Historic “Mizzourians” biographies, now available on SHSMO's website . These new biographies are made possible through a generous donation from Carolyn P. and Robin R. Wenneker, whose financial support allows the State Historical Society of Missouri to expand the “Historic Mizzourians” initiative, highlighting prominent Missourians whose lives have intersected with the University of Missouri in meaningful ways.

To celebrate the grand opening of the exhibition Daily Disney: Walt Disney Cartoons in the Funny Pages, SHSMO is hosting a week of Disney talks and a Drawing Disney day the first week of October at the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm Street in Columbia.