Thank you for your interest in the Center for Missouri Studies!
The State Historical Society’s Center for Missouri Studies offers meeting and event spaces. The Sam B. Cook Hall, the John K. Hulston Lobby, the Sam F. and June S. Hamra Family Classroom, the Plassmeyer Family Classroom, and the Francis W. “Bud” Barnes Boardroom are all available for reservation. Come in for a tour, and make plans for a great event!
View a Virtual Tour of the Center
Thanks for the great care and hospitality you showed to us throughout the planning and execution of our event!
Event Space Images
Loved hosting our event in your beautiful venue!
Space Rental Rates
Partner Pricing
Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, cultural organizations, educational groups, and member businesses and corporate entities are eligible for partner rates.
| Spaces | Floor | Business Hours (cost per hour) |
After Hours* & Weekends (cost per hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamra Classroom | 2 | $40 | $80 |
| Plassmeyer Classroom | 2 | $40 | $80 |
| Barnes Boardroom | 2 | $40 | $80 |
| Cook Hall** | 1 | $150 | $200 |
| Cook Hall & Hulston Lobby*** | 1 | $175 | $225 |
| Hulston Lobby*** | 1 | $125 | $175 |
Standard Pricing
Standard rates apply to space rentals for non-member business and corporate entities. Ask about SHSMO’s corporate membership program to be eligible for partner pricing!
| Spaces | Floor | Business Hours (cost per hour) |
After Hours* & Weekends (cost per hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamra Classroom | 2 | $70 | $140 |
| Plassmeyer Classroom | 2 | $70 | $140 |
| Barnes Boardroom | 2 | $70 | $140 |
| Cook Hall** | 1 | $275 | $325 |
| Cook Hall & Hulston Lobby*** | 1 | $325 | $375 |
| Hulston Lobby*** | 1 | $225 | $275 |
All space rentals require a 2-hour minimum reservation and 1-2 SHSMO event staff ($40/hour per staff member).
*Please note that after-hours rates begin at 5:00 p.m.
**Please note that the stage platform and attached accessibility ramp are permanent features of Cook Hall.
***Please note that the Hulston Lobby is also in public use during regular business hours.
Optional Amenities
The rates below reflect optional amenities for all clients. There are 25 (72") and 8 (6') tables available to rent and 250 chairs that are available at no charge. Event clients and/or caterers are responsible for providing any linens for events.
| AV Options | Business Hours (cost per hour) |
After Hours & Weekends (cost per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| AV-Basic | $25 | $50 |
| Additional Options | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tables (72" round and 6' rectangle) | $5/table |
| Electronic Signage (mounted and mobile lobby TVs) | $100 |
| Catering Kitchen Access | $100 |
| Early Morning Access, prior to 8:30 a.m. | $50/hour |
Submit Your Reservation Request
Frequently Asked Questions: Event Rentals
- The Hamra Classroom and Plassmeyer Classroom will each seat 30 people.
- The Barnes Boardroom will seat 20 people around the table and has a total of 36 chairs in the room.
- Cook Hall holds 182 people in theatre-style seating and 152 people at table rounds of 8 with closed doors.
- Cook Hall holds 210 people in theatre-style seating and 200 people at table rounds of 8 with open doors.
Reservation requests must be submitted at least two months in advance of the event date. SHSMO currently accepts reservations up to two years from the current date.
Call (573) 882-7083 or email events@shsmo.org to set up a tour. To reserve our space, please submit a reservation request.
There is a parking lot onsite at the Center as well as several parking garages in downtown Columbia. Metered parking is also available on the streets surrounding the building. Parking is not guaranteed and based on availability.
Yes, the Center for Missouri Studies is ADA accessible, including the restrooms.
Yes! Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited at the Center.
AV equipment is available for event rentals.
The Center is not available for events on major holidays, including: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve/Day, Easter, Memorial Day/Weekend, Fourth of July, and Labor Day/Weekend.
While the art gallery is not available to rent, there are options to incorporate a gallery viewing or tour into events. Please note that this will result in gallery staffing fees. No food or drink is allowed in the gallery.
The State Historical Society of Missouri must approve all caterers for events.
Yes, there is a catering kitchen available for use. It includes an ice machine, coffee carafes, work tables, a three-compartment sink, and space to hook up warming cabinets.
Yes, alcohol is allowed at events. It must be served by a licensed and insured caterer or bar caterer. State and City permits must be shared with the State Historical Society of Missouri. No person under the age of 21 is allowed to drink on the premises.
Yes, there are 25 (72") and 8 (6') tables available to rent and 250 chairs that are available at no charge. Event clients and/or caterers are responsible for providing any linens for events.
There are three restrooms on the first floor—men’s, women’s, and family. There are two restrooms on the second floor—men’s and women’s.
The initial deposit, 50% of rental fee, is due within 10 days of final confirmation. Invoices must be paid within 10 business days of invoice date. University of Missouri clients may submit a MoCode to secure the space and to pay for event.
Payments may be made in the form of MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover Card, MoCode, cash, or check made payable to the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Balloons, confetti, candles, glitter, feathers, and bubbles are prohibited. Call (573) 882-7083 or email events@shsmo.org to discuss decoration options.
To rent the space, clients must provide a certificate of liability insurance.
See final confirmation for cancellation policy.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (573) 882-7083 or email events@shsmo.org.
Any views or opinions expressed at any rental event held at the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Center for Missouri Studies are solely those of the speaker or the renting group and should not be imputed or attributed to SHSMO in any form or fashion.
The State Historical Society of Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or disability and reserves the right to refuse any event rental to any group that discriminates on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or disability.