Missouri History Museum

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About

Originally built as the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson, the Missouri History Museum explores the history of St. Louis from its founding in 1764 to the present day. Marvel at the magnitude of the 1904 World’s Fair, meet the Mexican wolf who saved her species and more. Traveling with kids? Visit the History Clubhouse, a free family gallery filled with hands-on activities, where kids can pilot a steamboat, learn about life in Cahokia and build a downtown skyscraper.

Collected: An Artifact-Filled Exhibition

For more than 150 years, the Missouri Historical Society has collected and preserved St. Louis artifacts – objects that future generations can use to make sense of the past. From photographs to textiles and machinery to instruments, select items are now part of a permanent exhibition at the Missouri History Museum. “You might think you know St. Louis,” Hattie Felton, director of curatorial affairs and curator of fine and decorative arts at the Missouri Historical Society, says, “but Collected shines a new light on the city’s history.”

A permanent exhibit at the Missouri History Museum tells the story of St Louis through artifacts.

Historic St. Louis

History buffs will want to explore other sites and museums throughout the region. From Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum and the Missouri Civil War Museum to The Griot Museum of Black History, local attractions cover a range of significant topics and spotlight a variety of historical figures. Guided tours are also a great way to connect with St. Louis history.

The 1904 World's Fair exhibit at the Missouri History Museum features a scale model of the fairgrounds.

5700 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112-0040

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TripAdvisor Rating:

776 Reviews | Write a Review
Excellent museum--free admission!
Reviewed By TR26 March 2025

A good history museum is something I search for when travelling. We only had time to take in around half of this one, but it was worth spending even more time if we could have. Mostly we devoted...

Full Review
The 1904 World's Fair
Reviewed By NemoTraveler September 2024

The Missouri History Museum is situated in the Forest Park area, a short drive from downtown St. Louis and with good, free parking available. Also a MetroLink station is located within a short...

Full Review
1904 Worlds Fair
Reviewed By MichaelKohn1 August 2024

I came specifically for the 1904 Worlds' Fair exhibit and did not disappoint. I was told this is now a permanent feature so plenty of time. So well done with artifacts and a huge model of the...

Full Review

Hours

Sunday 10am-5pm Monday-Closed Tuesday 10am-5pm Wednesday 10am-5pm Thursday 10am-8pm Friday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-5pm

Handicap AccessibleMidtown/ClaytonForest Park

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TripAdvisor Rating:

776 Reviews | Write a Review
Excellent museum--free admission!
Reviewed By TR26 March 2025

A good history museum is something I search for when travelling. We only had time to take in around half of this one, but it was worth spending even more time if we could have. Mostly we devoted...

Full Review
The 1904 World's Fair
Reviewed By NemoTraveler September 2024

The Missouri History Museum is situated in the Forest Park area, a short drive from downtown St. Louis and with good, free parking available. Also a MetroLink station is located within a short...

Full Review
1904 Worlds Fair
Reviewed By MichaelKohn1 August 2024

I came specifically for the 1904 Worlds' Fair exhibit and did not disappoint. I was told this is now a permanent feature so plenty of time. So well done with artifacts and a huge model of the...

Full Review