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!
2026 Summer Camps
Your child can adventure through Springfield’s past, present, and future during our week-long, full-day summer camps. Registration open! Spots are limited, so register today!
ALL CAMPS:
Time: Full-day camps (8 AM – 5 PM)
Location: History Museum on the Square, 154 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO
Cost: $325 per child*
*Discounts for siblings (attending the same camp) and museum members are available! (Discounts do not stack. Only one will apply.)
Secrets of Springfield – Entering grades 3-6
Dates: July 13-17, 2026
Follow the clues and uncover the treasure buried deep in Springfield’s history.
Springfield’s Superheroes – Entering grades 2-4
Dates: July 27-31, 2026
Discover your superpowers to make a difference in your community.
Time Travelers – Entering grades 1-3
Dates: August 10-14, 2026
Learn, create, and play to explore how people lived in the past.
Made possible by the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation’s Multi-Year Impact Grant for Student Citizenship and support from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
HOW TO REGISTER
Discounts available:
- Registering multiple kids? Families with two or more children signing up for the same week receive 10% off (restrictions apply). Before you purchase camp tickets, complete the sibling discount form and receive a coupon code upon approval!
- Museum member? History Museum members receive 10% off summer camps (restrictions apply). Join today, and before you purchase camp tickets, reach out to [email protected] with “Summer Camp Membership Code” as the subject line to receive your coupon code!
There are 4 steps to registration:
- Purchase admission to the summer camp below! (Apply coupon code for siblings or museum members at checkout!)
- Click here to fill out the Summer Camp Registration Form for EACH child you are registering. You will have to submit multiple forms if you are registering multiple children.
- Click here to download and read the 2026 Handbook. This includes necessary info and will help prepare you and your camper for their week of camp.
- Click here to download the camp permission form. You must print, read, sign, and submit the Summer Camp Permission Form by the time of drop-off on the first day of camp.
Please contact us with any questions regarding summer camps at [email protected] or call 417-831-1976.
Downtown or Commercial Street Walking Tours
Tour Dates are every Saturday morning at 9:30 am – Each month we feature either a Downtown Springfield tour or Commercial Street Tour.
$15 per person for Museum Members & Patrons, $20 per person for Non-Members.
Homeschool Day at the Museum
Join the History Museum on the Square for a fun look at history on the day it happened! Explore the museum and participate in a hands-on activity that coincides with historic holidays/anniversaries.
Attendees will receive discounted admission of $8/person for access to the museum’s 7 galleries. The special activity is included as part of your visit for no additional charge.
Doors open at 10:00 am. From 10:30 am – 11:30 am, a museum educator will lead the special activity in the museum. After, explore the museum as long as you’d like until 5PM closing time!
All ages welcome! Activity recommended for ages 6-17. Coloring activities and children’s books will be available. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Note: Library Passes are good for general admission only. They cannot be used for special museum events, member discounts, group reservations or field trips. Therefore, they will not apply for access to the special event activity.
Please RSVP below!
To participate in the special event activity please register by adding your guest count for EACH activity day you plan to attend (including the number of adults and children attending) to the cart below for no additional charge. You will pay discounted admission ($8/person) upon arrival the day-of the event.
History Museum Book Club
History Museum on the Square strengthens our community’s future by learning about our past and our culture, so we started a historical fiction book club in January 2020.
We look forward to our next discussion!
The Route 66 Series – Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial
Opening June 10, 2026 – September 20, 2026 –
Year 5 of our series showcasing Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial.
Thank you, Series Sponsor:
O’Reilly Automotive * MSU Libraries – Ozarks Studies Institute
General Admission applies.
History UnCorked Series 2026
History Museum on the Square continues to partner in 2026 with Ty lechyd Da Distillery and 417 Cocktails to bring a variety of educational evenings.
Enjoy a night of cocktails, conversation, and captivating local history with History Uncorked. Each after-hours class combines bite-sized history presentations with themed drinks, creating a fun and social way to experience Springfield’s past, one glass at a time.
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2026 History Uncorked Lineup
February 19 – Partners in Crime – SOLD OUT
In Springfield, the legend of Bonnie and Clyde feels surprisingly close to home: from the kidnapping of a local police officer to a daring car theft that played out just months before their deaths. Join us as we untangle the real stories behind the outlaw romance, separating Ozark’s history from Hollywood myth over cocktails and crime.
April 16 – Get Your Mix on Route 66 – SOLD OUT
Get your mix on Route 66 as we toast 100 years of the Mother Road by exploring the music, venues, and roadside sounds that shaped America’s most iconic highway. From dance halls to dive bars, discover how Route 66 became a soundtrack as much as a road.
June 18 – Rails and Refreshments
All aboard for a night of rails, refreshment, and revelry as we dive into the story of the railroad’s arrival in Springfield. Discover the people and events that followed the tracks while enjoying delicious, themed cocktails.
August 20th – Democracy on the Rocks
Civics doesn’t have to be dry. This History Uncorked blends history, government, and good drinks to explore how democracy works, and where we fit into it. Presented by our Civics on the Square program, this program takes a closer look at the rights, responsibilities, and systems that shape our everyday lives.
October 22 – Spirits, Stories, and Ozark Lore
Join us for an evening of tall tales, legends, and folklore from the Ozarks. Enjoy themed cocktails as we bring to life the colorful characters, eerie encounters, and unforgettable stories passed down through generations.
December 10 – War and Whiskey: WWII Edition
Examine Springfield’s role during World War II and how the war years changed daily life at home. From rationing to recreation, this class pairs powerful stories with classic cocktails.
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What to Expect:
- Three Unique Cocktails
- Engaging History Lessons
- Only light snacks will be provided
History Museum on the Square doors open at 5:00pm. The cost is Table of 6 $250/$85 per pair/twosome/$50 per individual. This event will have assigned seating. If you want to sit with a group, please put friends’ names in the Notes section when purchasing tickets. We will try our best but seating is limited.
Must be 21 or over to participate. Must bring a valid ID to the event.
By reserving your spot, you have agreed to the Terms of Release. Terms of Release are attached for you to read and agree to. There will also be copies at Guest Services when you arrive for the tour. Uncorked Release, Indem, HH, Photo Consent 2026.docx
History Uncorked is a fundraiser for the History Museum on the Square. Tickets are non-refundable.
Sharing Stories of the Crossroads – Hosted by John Sellars
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.