The History Museum on the Square provides field trips, traveling exploration trunks, and special programs to students of all ages.
Engage with history through our educational presentations! Led by a museum representative, these adaptable presentations engage students with hands-on artifacts, reproductions, primary sources, and educational aids. Presentation content is adaptable for any age group or grade level and can be held in-person or virtually. Visit us or let us come to you!
Explore history through an educational program! Museum educators lead interactive and engaging programs at the museum and in the classroom. Program options include Meet Missouri (3rd-5th grade recommended), interactive history presentations, civics and democracy activities, and guided gallery tours.
Presentation and program themes are listed below, but if you are interested in a different topic, please inquire.
How to Schedule a Presentation/Program
To request a presentation or program, fill out a reservation form. We will contact you within three business days to confirm your reservation. Please reserve two weeks in advance. For more information, call 417-831-1976 or send an email to [email protected].
Presentation Themes
- Early Native Americans
- Osage Culture
- The Lewis & Clark Expedition
- The Pioneer Experience
- Civil War in Springfield
- African American Heritage
- World War II
- Springfield's Leading Ladies: Women's History
Meet Missouri Program
Discover various eras of Missouri history and the contributions of local, state, and national figures, connecting students to the lived histories of their community. In the interactive program, students use props, pictures, and their imaginations to share the life, accomplishments, and legacy of a chosen Missourian.
This program can take place in your school (library, gym, lunch room) or at the museum in the Historic Fox Theatre as part of a Meet Missouri themed field trip (including a scavenger hunt experience).
This program about famous Missourians is designed for grades 3-5 but adaptable for all ages.
Meet Missouri is supported by the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation and the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast.
Civics & Democracy Activities
The History Museum on the Square is excited to share Civics on the Square, including new educational civics-focused programming for all ages. During these unique program experiences, students step back into history and explore civics, citizenship, and democracy.
Program options include:
- Animal Elections - Grades K-12
- Flag History & Etiquette - Grades K-12
- Being a Good Neighbor - Grades K-2
- Leadership Looks Like - Grades K-3
- Everyday Heroes: WWII - Grades K-3 [only at the museum]
- Celebrating Our Community - Grades 1-4
- Everyday Heroes: Wild West - Grades 1-4 [only at the museum]
- Map & Compass Skills - Grades 3-8 [only at the museum]
- How a Bill Becomes a Law - Grades 3-12
- Founding Documents & Historic Speeches - Grades 5-12
- Global Citizenship - Grades 6-12
- Launch a Campaign - Grades 6-12
- Primary vs. Secondary Sources - Grades 6-12
- Behind the Ballot - Grades 9-12
- Public Policy - Grades 9-12 [only at the museum]
- The Electoral College - Grades 9-12
- Wild Bill Mock Trial - Grades 8-11 [recommended to do at the museum]
Made possible by the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation's Multi-Year Impact Grant for Student Citizenship and support by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Guided Gallery Tours
Explore Springfield-Greene County history with an expert! Museum representatives lead groups of students through the galleries on guided tours.
Tours are adaptable to all age levels. Tour guides can lead groups of up to 15 through the galleries at a time. Scheduling multiple tour guides at a time incurs an additional fee.
NEW: Wild Bill Mock Trial
Bring history to life with this interactive mock trial experience for middle and high school students at the History Museum on the Square!
Students step into the roles of lawyers, witnesses, and jurors to reenact the 1865 trial following the first recorded Wild West shootout between James "Wild Bill" Hickok and Davis Tutt, which took place on the Springfield Public Square.
Led by engaging museum educators, students examine evidence, evaluate testimony, and determine whether Wild Bill Hickok is guilty.
Students Will:
- Learn how a jury trial works
- Analyze evidence and witness credibility
- Practice decision-making and civic responsibility
- Connect with Springfield’s history in a meaningful way
Best experienced at the museum as part of a field trip, but also available to present at your school (library, gym, cafeteria).