Events

Museum Hours
It’s Sunday 3:06 am — Sorry, we’re closed
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The History Museum on the Square frequently hosts events for people of all ages. Join us for enriching learning experiences, interactive steps into the past, and exciting nights on the town. Don’t miss a moment of historic fun!

 

Downtown Walking Tour

05/04/2024 - 10:00 a.m.

Join us on this one-hour tour in Downtown Springfield, Missouri.
Explore Springfield’s founding, growth, and most notable history where it took place.
Learn about the Wild Bill Hickok shootout on the square, Route 66, Trail and Tears and more!

Tour Dates:

May 4, 2024 – 10:00 am

June 1, 2024 – 10:00 am

July 6, 2024 – 10:00 am

August 3, 2024 – 10:00 am

$15 per person for Museum Members & Patrons, $20 per person for Non-Members.

05/04/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: 154 Park Central Square - History Museum on the Square

Commercial Street Walking Tour

05/04/2024 - 10:30 a.m.

Join the History Museum as we explore the history of Commercial Street!

Explore Commercial Street with a one-hour walking tour. Learn about the impact of the railroad, the relationship between North and South Springfield, and the society and culture of C-Street.

This tour is presented in partnership with the Commercial Club of Springfield, MO.

Tour Dates

Saturday, May 4, 2024 – 10:30 am

Saturday, June 1, 2024 – 10:30 am

Saturday, July 6, 2024 – 10:30 am

Saturday, August 3, 2024 – 10:30 am

$15 per person for Museum Members & Patrons, $20 per person for Non-Members

 

05/04/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: Commercial Street - Meet at Jefferson Avenue Footbridge

Citizenship Homeschool Activity Day – SOLD OUT

05/07/2024 - 09:00 a.m.

Civics on the Square presents our first Civics Summer Series event. Homeschool families can join us for a fun look at what it means to be an active citizen in your community. We will team up with the League of Women Voters to share hands-on activities that will engage the participants in every part of our democratic process. Activities include elections, flag etiquette, voicing concerns to local leaders, learning about historic documents, and much more! Registration is required for this FREE event. Registration for this event has reached its capacity. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Doors open at 9 am.

Activities from 9:30 am – 12 pm. Free museum exploration time 12 – 1 pm.

Please note – this is not a drop-off event. Parents must stay for the duration of the event.

All spots are full for this event. 

05/07/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: 154 Park Central Square - History Museum on the Square

Sensory Friendly Saturdays

05/11/2024 - 10:00 a.m.

Event Dates:
May 11, 2024
June 8, 2024
General Admission Applies – No registration is needed.

 

05/11/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: 154 Park Central Square

Citizenship Family Activity Day

05/11/2024 - 10:00 a.m.

Civics on the Square presents our first Civics Summer Series event. Families can join us for a fun look at what it means to be an active citizen in your community. We will team up with the League of Women Voters to share hands-on activities that will engage the participants in every part of our democratic process. Activities include elections, flag etiquette, voicing concerns to local leaders, learning about historic documents, and much more! Registration is required for this FREE event. Spots are limited.

Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Morning Session from 10 am – 1 pm. Afternoon Session from 1 – 4 pm. Free museum exploration time 10 am – 5 pm.

Families can register for the morning or afternoon session to participate in a variety of Citizenship activities led by a museum representative and explore the museum.

Please note – this is not a drop-off event. Parents must stay for the duration of the event.

This event is FREE but registration is required. Please register by adding your guest count (including the number of adults and children attending) to the cart below.

05/11/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: 154 Park Central Square - History Museum on the Square

Queen City Quest Game Show Fundraiser

05/18/2024 - 05:00 p.m.

This thrilling event will see nine teams compete in a live game show on Saturday, May 18th. It promises to be a showdown of wits and knowledge.

Thank you to Springfield Cardinals for donating 8 Ticket Vouchers per team that signs up for Queen City Quest to support the History Museum on the Square!

Once you gather your 4-person team and register your team, you will receive more details at packet pick-up. These details include additional challenges throughout the week that will earn your team additional points before the evening even starts. The night of the game show trivia your team will compete in six head-to-head Springfield History trivia games in front of a live audience in the Historic Fox Theatre. A team of four is $100.

Not sure about the spotlight? Come as an audience member for $10 and cheer on your favorite team as they compete in Queen City Quest.

Team Requirements:

  • At least one team member must be available to attend Queen City Quest packet pick up on May 8th, 4:30-6:00 pm at Hold Fast Brewery.
  • All teams must have four members participating in the Live Game Show on May 18th 5:00 -8:30 pm.
  • All teams must have four members over the age of 21 years of age.
  • Teams must be willing to share additional challenge videos on social media.
  • Teams are limited. Team cost $100.00.

 

 

05/18/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: Historic Fox Theatre

Route 66 Bus Tours – Get on the Mother Road!

05/18/2024 - 01:00 p.m.

Join David Eslick, History Museum Ambassador and a founder of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, as he shares the significance of Route 66 to the Springfield area,  photos of iconic places along the local route and an opportunity to share stories of the crossroads as you ride together.

Tour Dates:

Summer Bus Tour Dates:

May 18, 2024 – 1:00 pm – Leaving from Downtown Springfield (specific address to be confirmed)

August 17, 2024 – 1:00 pm – Leaving from Downtown Springfield (specific address to be confirmed)

$30 per person for Members and $35 per person for NonMembers

At least ten individuals need to be registered for this event.  If ten are not registered one week before the tour date, a staff member of the History Museum on the Square will give you a call with a chance to reschedule or get a refund.

 

 

05/18/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: Meet at History Museum on the Square

History Museum Book Club

06/06/2024 - 07:00 p.m.

Join the History Museum on their next Historical Fiction read
Join us in reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
It tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, who becomes a beloved cooking show host in 1960s Southern California after being fired as a chemist four years earlier.
We’ll meet on Thursday, June 6th at 7 pm at the picnic area by the Cherry Picker (601 S Pickwick Ave. Springfield, MO)

06/06/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: Picnic Area by the Cherry Picker (601 S Pickwick Ave. Springfield, MO)

Sharing Stories of the Crossroads – Hosted by John Sellars

12/31/2023 - 04:00 p.m.

Join John Sellars, Executive Director Emeritus of the History Museum on the Square and long-time lover of local history, every Tuesday at 4:00 pm on KICK 92.3 FM.

The program will focus on History Bits in Springfield, Local Headlines from a Century ago and a variety of guests to share local history and stories of the past.

Check out the link for past podcasts.

12/31/2023
Host: History Museum
Location:

The Route 66 Series – Year 3 Hotel/Motel

12/31/2024 - 00:00

The Route 66 Series: Year 3 Hotel/Motel

Thank you Series Sponsor:

O’Reilly Automotive

MSU Libraries – Ozarks Studies Institute

History Museum on the Square is a 501c3 nonprofit organization; all donations are tax-deductible as prescribed by law.

 

12/31/2024
Host: History Museum
Location: 154 Park Central Square - History Museum on the Square