Missouri Humanities

Speaker Series: The History of the Weatherbird and St. Louis Cartooning
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | 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, 2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-09 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
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.

Christmas and Country Favorites with Dottie Dillard and Anita Kerr
2025-12-18 19:00 - 20:00
In the 1950s and 60s, Springfieldian Dottie Dillard, Anita Kerr, and the Anita Kerr Quartet sang backup on a quarter of all Nashville recordings during that period. In 2019, Kerr guessed the Quartet had sung on 200 songs a year since it was formed in 1956. They were instrumental in inventing the “Nashville Sound,” generally defined as a mix of country music flavored with pop rhythms, instrumentation, and themes. The group won a Grammy in 1965 for Best Performance by a Vocal Group, edging out the Beatles. They won another Grammy in 1966 and several other awards during the next decade. However, Anita and Dottie are rarely mentioned in histories of popular music. This program will introduce you to Anita Kerr and Springfieldian Dottie Dillard, who was Anita’s talented alto singer. It will also be a listening experience, as we focus on the Quartet’s contribution to classic recordings of your favorite Christmas songs and Nashville hit records.

Hispano Capitalista of the Sante Fe Trail, 1821-1900
2025-12-18 18:00 - 19:30
Both Kansas and Missouri played a role in developing commerce with Mexico. In 1821, Mexico became a nation having gained its independence from Spain. Mexico opened trade with the United States. Hispano and American entrepreneurs were ready and able to make the Santa Fe Trail a two-way international trade route and a conduit for cultural exchange between the two nations. This program by Dr. Gene Chavez will explore the role of Hispano capitalists who facilitated the success of the trail.

White Haven by Candlelight Holiday Celebration
2025-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Experience White Haven in the evening during the holidays. Lights will illuminate the grounds and historic house. You will hear Christmas songs performed by the St. Louis Christmas Carolers outside the house.
Inside, the decorated rooms will glow with “candlelight” and as you walk through the house, you’ll hear period holiday music performed by guitarist Patrick Rafferty.
In the dining room you can enjoy 19th century treats served by Suzanne Corbett, food historian, and learn about 19th century etiquette and holiday culinary customs.

Holiday House Tour
2025-12-13 15:00 - 18:00 | Guibourd-Vallé House, 1 N. 4th St., Ste. Genevieve, 63670, United States
The Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve will present a unique opportunity for ticket holders to spend an evening touring seven unique homes decorated for the holiday season during the 2025 Holiday House Tour. The third annual tour will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 3-6 pm. Guests will begin their self-guided tour at the Foundation-maintained Guibourd-Vallé House at 1 North Fourth Street. Admission to tour the house and view the unique Norman Truss construction in the attic is included with ticket purchase. Shortly before the tour, Foundation members gather at the house to create decorations out of pine, boxwood cuttings, magnolia and other natural materials. From there, guests will make their way to the other stops–five private residences and one bed and breakfast–all festively decorated for the season. This event is not recommended for small children.

Lingering Inland Showcase Event
2025-12-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Wydown United Church, 6501 Wydown Blvd, St. Louis, 63105
Join us to celebrate Lingering Inland, an expansive anthology edited by Andy Oler. 73 original short essays explore locales in Midwestern literature relevant to the life and work of literary figures and canonical authors such as Toni Morrison, Willa Cather, and more. We’ll have readers, a live musical performance, merch tables, and more!

Holiday Open House at George Washington Carver National Monument
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Road, Diamond, Missouri, 64840
Let’s enjoy the holidays together! Join park staff and volunteers for an afternoon filled with seasonal music, arts, and crafts, and festive refreshments. The event is free of charge.

Remember the Removal Walk/Trail Ride/Gravel Bike Ride
2025-12-06
3rd Annual Walk/Trail Ride/Gravel Bike Ride along stretches of the original Trail of Tears near Steelville, Missouri. Join us around fire pits afterwards for potluck soup and stews supper.

A Night in Vienna: An Exploration of Jewish Music with Catherine Kautsky
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 | St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, 36 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, 63146
Time & Location:
Thursday, December 4th, 2025, 6:00pm -7:30pm
St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum Auditorium
36 Millstone Campus Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
About the Program:
Join us for our final program of the year — A Night in Vienna: An Exploration of Jewish Music featuring acclaimed pianist Catherine Kautsky.
The child of two Holocaust survivors, Kautsky will take audiences on a moving musical journey through Vienna — from the city’s golden age of culture to the dark years of persecution. The performance will highlight the music that made Vienna world-renowned, before shifting to the hauntingly beautiful compositions of Jewish composers exiled or silenced during the Holocaust.
Blending live performance, evocative imagery, and deeply personal storytelling, Kautsky shares her family’s journey from Vienna after the 1938 Anschluss to their new home in St. Louis. This unforgettable evening will illuminate the enduring power of music, memory, and resilience.
Before Your Visit:
Free and accessible parking available on site.
Accessible seating, assistive listening devices, and wheelchairs available upon request.
This event is $18.00 and includes a dessert reception.

History on Tap: How Baby Teeth Stopped Nuclear Bomb Tests
2025-12-04 17:00 - 18:30 | Good News Brewing Company, 2886 S. Hwy 9, Defiance MO, Defiance, MO
Join MOCHE as we host Dr. Luke Ritter from Missouri Humanities Speaker’s Bureau and St. Louis Community College as he discusses this important but little known episode in
environmental history. MOCHE will provide light snacks.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Good News Brewing Company
2886 S. Hwy 94, Defiance MO

"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.

The Black Rep Presents: Dianne McIntyre Group: In the Same Tongue
2025-11-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 210 E Monroe Ave, Kirkwood, 63122
A pioneering dance innovator, noted for decades of collaborations with leading forces in avant-garde jazz, Dianne McIntyre returns to The Black Rep with a major new work featuring a score by celebrated composer Diedre Murray and poems by Obie-winning playwright Ntozake Shange. This elegant and captivating work employs a live jazz ensemble and a company of dancers to explore the deep rivers of communication in our artistic expressions, in our personal expressions and in our cultural history expressions.
The Phoenix Rising Performance Series is presented with support from PNC Arts Alive and NEFA.

Oral History Best Practices
2025-11-17 11:00 - 13:00 | Kauffman Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, M, 64108, United States
The Kansas City Monuments Coalition will host Dr. Sandra Enriquez, Professor of History at University of Missouri – Kansas City and oral history specialist, for a practical workshop focused on best practices in oral history research and preservation. Drawing from years of experience conducting community-based oral history projects, Dr. Enriquez will guide participants through an overview of the oral history process, from planning and ethical considerations to interviewing techniques, transcription, archiving, and dissemination. This is a free event open to the public. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Playing Through Black Golfers Overcoming the Forgotten Color Barrier
2025-11-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
A panel discussion on the historic and contemporary challenges faced by minority golfers in Kansas
City and around the nation
Panelists will include;
Don Kuehn, 2022 inductee into the Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame; member of the Board of Directors of Central Links Golf and winner of 56 local, state, and national tournaments;
Bob Drake, a retired teacher and former tournament director for the Heart of America Golf Club;
Dwayne Lewis, a former Center High School and Baker University basketball star who has developed a passion for golf and has played with several groundbreaking Black golfers, including Charlie Sifford and Jim Dent;
Judge Jon Gray, retired Circuit Court Judge and lawyer in private practice. His interests include the connection between amateur and professional sports, as well as the struggle for equal rights.
The moderator for the event is Lewis Diuguid, former columnist and vice president for community resources for the Kansas City Star.
The road to equal access in public accommodations for people of color, including on the nation’s golf courses, was fraught with numerous significant challenges. Not the least among them were the infamous Jim Crow Laws mandating racial segregation in public facilities and the PGA Tour’s ”Caucasians Only” clause. In Kansas City, access to the two Swope Park golf courses in the late 1940s was no exception. Whites were welcomed at Swope #1 (now Swope Memorial), but Black golfers were restricted to play at the unkempt, ill-maintained course “down the hill”: Swope #2. And then, only on Mondays and Tuesdays! The Black Archives of Mid-America is hosting a panel discussion/forum to explore the history of access to public golf and to look to the future to find ways to make golf more accessible.

Raytown's Salute to Veterans
2025-11-09 14:00 - 16:00
Raytown’s Salute to Veterans
Join the Raytown community for a special Veterans Day celebration honoring those who have served our country. This event is an opportunity for the community to express gratitude to veterans from all branches of the military, including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
Event Details:
• Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Raytown High School Auditorium, 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133
For Veterans: If you’re a veteran, you’re invited to attend and be recognized for your service. Veterans can pre-register online at https://forms.gle/RQyTC3er55hA7Z7L9 or register at the event itself to receive special recognition during the ceremony.
For Community Members: All community members are welcome to attend and show their appreciation for our veterans’ service and sacrifice.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and say “thank you” to those who have served our nation.
The event is organized by the Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee for Veterans Day

Raytown's Salute to Veterans
2025-11-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Raytown High School, 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO, 64133, United States
Raytown’s Salute to Veterans
Join the Raytown community for a special Veterans Day celebration honoring those who have served our country. This event is an opportunity for the community to express gratitude to veterans from all branches of the military, including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Raytown High School Auditorium, 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133
For Veterans:
If you’re a veteran, you’re invited to attend and be recognized for your service. Veterans can pre-register online at https://forms.gle/RQyTC3er55hA7Z7L9 or register at the event itself to receive special recognition during the ceremony.
For Community Members:
All community members are welcome to attend and show their appreciation for our veterans’ service and sacrifice.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and say “thank you” to those who have served our nation. The event is organized by the Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee for Veterans Day

Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show
2025-11-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-07 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Columbia Entertainment Company, 1800 Nelwood, Columbia, 65202
The Rocky Horror Show
October 30 – November 9, 2025
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
That “Sweet Transvestite” and his motley crew did the “Time Warp” on Broadway in a 25th anniversary revival. Complete with sass from the audience, cascading toilet paper, and an array of other audience participation props, this deliberately kitschy rock ’n’ roll sci-fi gothic musical is more fun than ever!
This production is a wild, campy, and outrageous celebration of individuality, freedom, and self-expression. It contains strong language, sexual themes, partial nudity, flashing lights, and audience interaction.
Licensed through Concord Theatricals.

Love and War: A Doughboy's Diary
2025-11-08 13:00 - 14:00 | North Platte Historical Museum and Cultural Center, 210 Main Street, Dearborn, 64439
Love and War: A Doughboy’s Diary — “The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Frances Truitt and Lieut. James F. Rogers on April 9, 1918.” Costumed in bridal attire, Dr. Becky Imhauser shares the love story of this couple based on Lieut. Rogers’ unpublished World War I diary. Written with clarity, compassion, and humor, the military diary provides an intimate glimpse into the couple’s life during World War I (including their wedding day…and night!). The presentation features family photos and correspondence, as well as a “rest of the story” overview of the Rogers’ lives. While James Rogers left no biological descendants, his diary is a priceless legacy of love and loyalty, patience and patriotism.
This event is presented by Dr. Becky Imhauser through the Missouri Speakers Bureau Program. Becky is an author, speaker, and conference leader. She has been named Missouri’s Best Local Author for the past five consecutive years based her 21 published books. With a doctorate degree in education, Becky designs historic presentations that appeal to a variety of learning styles. She specializes in costumed first-person portrayals, including projected photos and displays of artifacts and ephemera.
The presentation is part of the North Platte Historical Museum and Cultural Center’s veterans’ exhibit

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.
