
We have created an amazing regional history museum and expanded educational destination for Springfield and its visitors. Located on Route 66, our historic Park Central Square buildings have been restored to preserve the rich history of our city. The expanded museum space allows guests to explore the past using interactive learning features.
Our six permanent galleries tell the stories of significant events in Springfield and create distinct and intentional dialogues about objects, individuals, and history– dialogues that will foster examinations of unique aspects of Springfield, Greene County and its people. A rich and vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and the “voices of history” are combined using innovative technologies.
The History Museum on the Square’s Traveling Trunk Program provides local students and community groups an opportunity to experience Springfield and Greene County history through hands-on artifacts and reproductions, primary source material, and other learning aids. This program can be presented by the teacher renting the trunk or scheduled with a designated volunteer from the History Museum on the Square.
These programs are presented in a “show and tell” format with items passed among participants or set out for a hands-on “pass by”. Specific points of Springfield and Greene County history are interspersed with a general social or cultural history of the time and are interpreted with the help of reproduction photographs and objects, and actual artifacts (may include clothing, household items, school items, toys, etc.), maps and primary source material are available. All of these aids help the interpreter make history “come alive” for the participants. Staff will consult with the teacher or group leader to customize the presentation.
Presentations generally last 45-60 minutes. Occasionally, two presentations at the same site may be scheduled back-to-back when space for a large group is not available. Groups are requested to give two weeks advance notice when scheduling a trunk presentation. If a designated volunteer from the History Museum on the Square is not presenting the program, the individual renting the trunk is responsible for transportation of the trunk to and from the presentation site.
Learn about the Osage Nation in Missouri, Lewis & Clark’s travels, living conditions during WWII, and more. For more information or to schedule a Traveling Trunk Program, please contact Palmer at palmer@historymuseumonthesquare.org or 417-831-1976.
History Museum on the Square has an exciting new program to assist parents with learning pods, virtual learning, and homeschooling. Every Friday at 2 pm, homeschool and pod learning elementary students can join the History Museum on the Square for a history program and gallery tour that supports Missouri Learning Standards. Each Friday from now until May 2021, the Museum will have a rotating program topic. Each program is geared toward the 2nd – 5th-grade level. The cost for nonmembers is $13.00 per person, the member price is $5.00 per person. This includes admission to the museum and the program.
Pre-registration required here. Private group programs are also available. If you are interested in reserving a program on any of the topics just for your group contact, Palmer Johnson, palmer@historymuseumonthesquare.org to get the cost and reserve a time.
November 6th -The Pioneers and Founding of Springfield
Examine Springfield’s origins and incorporation in this journey through time. We will discuss the causes of westward expansion, the lives of Springfield’s first settlers, the former city of North Springfield, and the significance of the Frisco railroad to our city’s rise in stature. Grades 3-5.
November 13th – The Civil War in Southwest Missouri
Take a look at southwest Missouri’s role in the Civil War. We will discuss the conflict’s causes and consequences, the specific battles that took place in the area, and the daily life of soldiers and civilians during wartime. Grades 3-5.
November 20th – Native American History
Learn the history of the local Native American presence spanning hundreds of years. We will discuss the local tribes, the importance of the buffalo in daily life, the practical relevance of arts and crafts, and the impact of westward expansion. Grades 2-5.
December 4th – The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Join us as we probe the adventures of the Corps of Discovery. We will discuss the events that led to the Louisiana Purchase, the daily life of an explorer on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the consequences of their journey for the United States and beyond. Grades 3-5.
December 11th – The Pioneers and Founding of Springfield
Examine Springfield’s origins and incorporation in this journey through time. We will discuss the causes of westward expansion, the lives of Springfield’s first settlers, the former city of North Springfield, and the significance of the Frisco railroad to our city’s rise in stature. Grades 3-5.
December 18th – The Civil War in Southwest Missouri
Take a look at southwest Missouri’s role in the Civil War. We will discuss the conflict’s causes and consequences, the specific battles that took place in the area, and the daily life of soldiers and civilians during wartime. Grades 3-5.
November 21, 2020 – January 10, 2021
In the spirit of the holidays, in addition to our yearly Downtown Christmas Window display, the History Museum on the Square will feature Once Upon a Christmas Past, an exhibit inside the Voices of History Gallery showcasing Christmas decorations and related items from the 1850s through the 1960s. In this difficult time, it will provide a much-needed step back to a simpler time with the nostalgia of Christmas past. General Admission applies.
Thank you to our current sponsors:
Presenting Sponsors – The McQueary Family
Vintage Sponsor – Waverly House Gifts & Gallery
*Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Charlotte McCoy. (charlotte@historymuseumonthesquare.org)
While we aren’t able to host our annual gala this year, we still need your support. Your donation provides for museum operations and quality educational programming.
Join us for a walk around Springfield’s downtown and discover some of Springfield’s most notable stories where they took place.
Stops include the original site of the founding of Springfield, historic Walnut Street, and Wild Bill Hickok’s first wild west shootout.
This one-mile, one-hour walking tour begins and ends at the History Museum on the Square. Your guide will be wearing a mask and contactless payment prior to arrival is encouraged.
Capacity will not exceed 10 people. The cost is $10/person for Museum Members and $20/person for Nonmembers.
Browse through hundreds of historic photos of Springfield, Missouri and its surrounding areas.
John Sellars
Krista Adams
Charlotte McCoy
Joan Hampton-Porter
Lindsey Young
Palmer Johnson
Katie Schoorl
Be a part of the story of History Museum on the Square by financially supporting our vision. All contributions made go directly to the museum’s development and preservation of history in our community. History Museum on the Square is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.