Missouri Humanities

History of Chocolate and Candy Making in Missouri
2026-02-05 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | M
An overview of the products and producers of the confections that have made Missouri a culinary destination.

Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit in Lebanon, MO
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-06 | Lebanon-LaClede County Library, 915 S. Jefferson Ave, Lebanon, 65536
Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit in Lebanon
2/5: 10 am – 6 PM
5 PM Panel Discussion with documentarian Katrina Parks, Missouri Route 66 Association CFO Larry Sernyk and educational curriculum developer Kari Kussmann
2/6: 10 am – 4 PM
School Groups Welcome. Please email esemsch@lebanon-laclede.lib.mo.us
Free and open to the public.
Celebrating the rich legacy of the Mother Road, America’s Main Street, the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit will be on view in Lebanon, Missouri on February 5 and 6, 2026. The exhibit marks two major milestones: the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The exhibit will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6.
Drawing from the documentary film series Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road by project director Katrina Parks, the traveling exhibit combines large-format interpretive panels, audiovisual materials, and educational activities designed for youth and family audiences. Together, these elements invite visitors to explore how Route 66 shaped American history, culture, and identity through the stories of the people who lived, worked, and traveled along it. From the glow of neon signs to the steady hum of tires on open pavement, every mile of Route 66 tells a story of opportunity, invention, and freedom. For nearly a century, the road has drawn visitors from around the world and continues to hold countless stories waiting to be uncovered.
On Thursday, February 5 at 5:00 p.m., the public is invited to attend a panel discussion featuring project director Katrina Parks, educational curriculum developer Kari Kussmann, and Missouri Route 66 Association Chief Financial Officer Larry Sernyk. The discussion will explore the historical significance of Route 66, the origins of the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, and the importance of education and preservation as the nation approaches the Route 66 centennial.
The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit is made possible with support from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, Missouri Humanities, the Missouri Route 66 Association, the Lebanon-LaClede County Library and many other institutions. The exhibit will continue to travel to communities along the Mother Road, highlighting local histories while connecting them to the broader national story.
For more information about exhibit hours, programming, or upcoming tour locations, please visit www.route66exhibit.com.

12 Months of Giving
2026-02-01 00:00 - 23:30 | Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, 4700 Belleview Ave Suite 304, Kansas City, 64112
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, giving back matters. Through our 12 Months of Giving initiative, we’re donating $3,000 each month in 2026 to local nonprofits making a difference. We invite you to nominate a local nonprofit meaningful to you using the form on our event page. Monthly recipients will be announced on our website and social media channels.

Lindenwood University's Winter Dance Concert
2026-01-31 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-29 19:30 - 21:00 | The J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 W Clay St, St Charles, MO, 63301, United States
This year’s Winter Dance Concert highlights the creative voices of our sophomore and junior choreographers. Each pair has crafted original work and set it on their peers, resulting in thirteen unique pieces that move through humor, heartbreak, imagination, and joy. The program offers an intimate look at the artistry emerging within our program and invites audiences to experience a wide range of emotional and creative perspectives. Join us for three evenings in our three-sided black box theater, where you’ll be immersed in the action and seated up close to the performers as these young artists share the work they have built together.

Author Talk: Black St. Louis
2026-01-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Black St. Louis explores the rich and inspiring history of African Americans in St. Louis from the city’s founding as a French fur trading post during the Spanish colonial era to
the new millennium. Author NiNi Harris highlights great figures who showed leadership, incredible innovation, and courage despite the injustices they faced.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Speaker Series: The History of the Weatherbird and St. Louis Cartooning
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
Join us for a lively and engaging look at one of St. Louis’s most iconic characters!
On January 24, 2026, at 1 p.m., longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch cartoonist Dan Martin will present The History of the Weatherbird and St. Louis Cartooning.
Martin will trace the evolution of the beloved Weatherbird, America’s longest-running continuously published cartoon figure, while spotlighting the rich legacy of St. Louis cartoonists who helped shape the world of comics. From Chic Young and George McManus to Lee Falk and the incomparable Mike Peters, Martin will introduce audiences to a remarkable cast of creators whose work reached far beyond the Gateway City.
Entertaining, insightful, and full of fascinating stories, this program is perfect for fans of comics, local history, and, of course, the Bird himself.
This program is free with limited availability in person and on Zoom. Reservations must be made in advance on our website, by calling the Museum at 314-421-4689, or by emailing info@fieldhousemuseum.org.

Silver Saddle Fan Club ft. Fiddlin' Sam and the Bolo Band
2026-01-22 18:00 - 21:00 | The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis, 63108
Dust off your dancin’ boots for the Silver Saddle Fan Club! For the third-annual Fan Club event, The Sheldon’s Ballroom will be transformed into a western swing dance hall with dinner, dance lessons, and live music. The party opens with a pre-ordered meal by Stellar Hog. You can feast on beef brisket and pulled pork, or the vegetarian option, braised tofu. Christian Frommelt, award-winning social dance instructor, will swing the crowd into action with western styles like two-step and waltz. Then enjoy the moves you learned with live music by Fiddlin’ Sam and the Bolo Band, the St. Louis Western Swing supergroup that plays legendary tunes of Bob Wills, Milton Brown, and more.

Second Sunday- Free Days at the Museum
2026-01-11 10:00 - 16:00 | The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112, Kansas City, M, 64112, United States
Bring the whole family to Free Days at the Museum. Occurring on every second Sunday of the month, Free Days provide greater access to The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures’ vast and awe-inspiring collections for visitors near and far.
All attendees can explore the Museum at no charge.

History Talk: Entertaining at the White House - Presidential China
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Presidents and their First Ladies often have new sets of china produced for their official entertaining, such as State Dinners. These events are an important part of diplomacy and the table setting conveys not only an atmosphere of elegance and hospitality, but also national pride. Julie Northrip, former interpretive program manager at the park, will show and discuss some of the china used during presidential administrations.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Author Talk: John Frémont's 100 Days
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Author Greg Wolk’s newest book, John Frémont’s 100 Days in Civil War Missouri, covers U.S. Grant’s activities during his own wartime days in the state, which overlapped to a considerable extent with Fremont’s tenure.
The book tracks Grant’s progress from Quincy, Illinois to Belmont, Missouri, and his relationship to Frémont – the man who put him on the road to success.
The program is free. For reservations, please call (314) 842-1867 ext. 230.

Understanding the US History Sector Webinar
2026-01-07 14:00 - 15:00 | M
America’s history sector is vast, unique, and vital. Using AASLH’s National Census of History Organizations as a primary foundation, attendees to this webinar will learn the ins and outs of the U.S. history sector—its parameters, key characteristics, and top pain points—as well as insights into audience trends. Attendees will gain information to help strengthen their institutions and make the case for importance of the history community to varied stakeholders.

Out of the Box
2026-01-06 09:00 - 2026-01-29 17:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
A new short-term exhibition in January 2026 featuring items recently donated to the Black Archives.

"Building a Future" Month in Science City
2025-12-03 10:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 | Science City, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Science City is “Building a Future” all month long! Join us for new special activities and interactive demos happening all month long – all thinking ahead to the future!
Activities are featured daily Tuesday – Sunday, and are all included with your Science City admission or free for members.
FEATURED SPECIAL ACTIVITES*:
Creative Corner: Concentric Circle Igloo Art – This activity will use the idea of concentric circle to create an igloo from an aerial perspective! Use three different colors of paper so the layers of the igloo will easily be visible and help visualize how concentric circles have the same center but different radii! Once the igloo is ready guests will be able to decorate them using white drawing supplies to add that extra snowy flare that every good igloo needs!
Maker Studio: Futuristic Wearable Tech – Make either a futuristic watch or glasses and use the provided equipment to bling out your wearable tech. Plus, you can take it with you when you’re done building!
In the digital lab, guests can program a dash robot, make their own stop-motion video, learn how to build the strongest bridge, and mix colors on the light table.
Nature Works: Cold Months Survival – Learn how different animals and insects survive the cold weather months and the various adaptations they use to do it.
Nature Chats are at 11 am and 3 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 12:30 and 2 pm
Early Learning: Play-DohCember – Callin all sculptors! Young explorers can build the city of the future out of Play-Doh in this month’s construction themed activity.
Periodic Table: Stop by Periodic Table to see a variety of different scientific demonstrations. This month’s offerings are:
• Hot and Cold – Explore temperature absorption with liquid crystal sheets. See if dark-colored or light-colored materials absorb and re-emit the energy contained in light more readily.
• Animal Furs – Learn how animals furs help protect them from the elements. Get hands on with several different pelt sand see if you can identify which pelt came from which animal.
*While supplies last. Activities are subject to change.

KC Fire
2025-12-02 09:00 - 2025-12-29 17:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
New Short Term Exhibit: KC Fire!
This exhibit, in partnership with the Kansas City Fire Historical Society, will tell the story of the KCFD and the City’s Black Firefighters.
Photographs and uniforms from within the Black Archives Collection will be on display, with multiple items from KCFHS, including game well boxes, helmets, photographs, nozzles, and more, will be on display.
This is a once in a lifetime display of materials rarely seen in public. The exhibit will be on display in the Rotating Gallery of the Black Archives of Mid-America from December 2- December 29, 2025 Monday- Friday 9am-5pm.

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
2025-11-08 10:00 - 2026-04-19 18:00 | Union Station Kansas City, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Step aboard the world’s most captivating maritime legend — Titanic: An Immersive Voyage — opening NOV 8 at Union Station Kansas City.
This breathtaking new exhibition brings the Titanic’s untold stories, unforgettable moments, and tragic final voyage vividly to life like never before. Produced by Exhibition Hub and presented locally by Hawthorn Bank, this all-new experience is making its U.S. debut right here in Kansas City.
Walk the ship’s opulent corridors, explore dramatic room recreations, and relive the fateful night through powerful storytelling and immersive environments.
Your journey includes:
Over 200 authentic artifacts from Titanic and her sister ships
The chance to sit in a lifeboat as the final moments unfold
An optional Virtual Reality dive to explore Titanic’s resting place 2.5 miles below the surface
Multilingual audio guides for a personalized experience
A thoughtfully curated gift shop with exclusive Titanic merchandise
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about this monumental event, this exhibition invites you to feel the story—its grandeur, its heartbreak, and the human stories within it.
