Missouri Humanities

American Mosaic: A Choral Celebration and Tribute to American Composers
2026-05-02 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Concordia Lutheran Church, 505 S Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO, 63122
American Mosaic celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States with a musical exploration of the many traditions that have shaped our nation’s musical identity. Blending familiar patriotic melodies with folk hymns, spirituals, jazz, and Broadway favorites, the program reflects the voices, landscapes, and stories that form the American musical tapestry.
All concerts are free admission. Free will donation appreciated.

Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit in Cuba
2026-05-03 11:00 - 2026-05-04 16:00 | Crawford County Historical Society, 308 N. Smith, Cuba, MO, 65453, United States
In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the stories and images of the Mother Road to life across Missouri. The Exhibit includes a stop in Cuba, Missouri from May 3–Sept. 14, 2026. All events are free and family-friendly.
The Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of Missourians connected by Route 66.
“From the glow of neon signs to the steady hum of tires on open pavement, every mile of Route 66 tells a story,” said exhibit organizer and documentarian Katrina Parks, of Assertion Films. “For nearly a century, the road has drawn visitors from around the world and continues to hold countless stories waiting to be uncovered. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit brings these stories to life and highlights the humanity of the Mother Road from a variety of perspectives.”
Drawing from Parks’ acclaimed PBS documentary film series, Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road, the traveling exhibit invites 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.
On Sunday, May 3 the Crawford County Historical Society will host a special free opening event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring live music, food from “Taste of Cuba” restaurants, and a panel discussion at 1 p.m. to include author Joe Sonderman, who will sell and sign books, Cherokee historian Galen Gritts and other special guests sharing history and their travels along Route 66. On Monday, May 4th, area schools are invited to bring students for special guided tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. School groups are asked to RSVP in advance to: info@visitcubamo.com. The Historical Society is located at 308 N. Smith in Cuba, Missouri.
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 Gillioz, 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.
Additional exhibit stops will be in Pacific, Missouri on Sept. 16 and 17, Carthage, Missouri on Sept. 18–20 and the St. Louis County Library.
For more information please visit www.route66exhibit.com or contact Katrina Parks at info@assertionfilms.com.

Ranger Talk: Julia Grant during the Civil War
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Julia Dent Grant was extremely active during the Civil War, spending most of the war
traveling the country, including visits to her father at White Haven, the Grants’ home
in Galena, and even time at the front with Ulysses. Park Guide Jared Clark follows Julia
through the war years and her efforts to keep White Haven and the Grant household intact
while Grant was away on the battlefield.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

American Mosaic: A Choral Celebration and Tribute to American Composers
2026-05-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Webster Groves Presbyterian Church 45 W. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, 45 West Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, 63119

Unseen St. Louis
2026-05-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Scenic Regional Library-Wright City Branch, 60 Wildcat Dr,, Wright City, 63390
When historians visit the archive, they often find weird, surprising, and fun material that they rarely get to share with others…but that ends here! This event shares the stories of a selection of images and objects from various St. Louis archives that reveal an unknown side of St. Louis history. The presentation is fun, upbeat, and conversational spanning from the nineteenth century to today, from newspapers and magazines to photography and phonograph records.

Movies Made in Missouri
2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Scenic Regional Library-Warrenton, 912 State Hwy 47,, Warrenton, 63383
While it’s not Hollywood, there have been nearly one hundred movies made in Missouri from the earliest times in the industry to the present day. Jim Erwin tells the stories of the films and their stars—from Tom Mix’s and Walt Disney’s first movies to latter day films featuring George Clooney, Ben Affleck, and Kevin Costner. Using film clips, movie stills, publicity posters, behind-the-scenes shots, and present-day photos of filming locations, Jim tells the stories of the hits, the flops, the famous and the obscure productions made in the Show Me State.

Sweet Obsessions: Sweet history the candy made by Missouri candy makers
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:00
An overview of the candy makers and the candy they made and sold in Missouri.

The Great Tornado of 1925
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Des Arc Museum and Community Center, 143 S Front St, Des Arc, 63636
A hundred years ago, the deadliest tornado in American history originated in southern Missouri. Now known as the “Tri-State Tornado,” the storm originated near Ellington and swept through southeast Missouri before crossing into Illinois and Indiana. The devastation of the Tri-State Tornado revealed flaws in the nation’s storm forecasting and reporting system that grew out of a lack of coordination and a misplaced desire to avoid public panic, flaws that took decades to correct. This presentation uses contemporary accounts and images to re-create Missouri’s portion of “the forgotten storm.”

Poetry in the Garden
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Field House Museum is excited to announce its 3rd annual Poetry in the Garden competition, held in the museum’s garden in downtown St. Louis.
This competition aims to honor the legacy of 19th-century poet Eugene Field by inviting St. Louis and surrounding area poets to create works inspired by some of the themes he returned to again and again over the course of his career. This year, the themes will include patriotism, nature, holidays, and places.
Poets, their friends and family, and those who simply want to enjoy an afternoon of poetry are invited to join us!
We invite poets of all ages and skill levels to submit their original, unpublished works to programs@fieldhousemuseum.org by the deadlines listed below.
Submission Deadline – Friday, April 10, 2026, 11:59 pm.
Poems can be of any style and length as long as they are original, unpublished works.
Please include your name, contact information, a brief bio, and the theme your submission applies to in the body of the email.
Poets of all backgrounds, with priority given to poets from the St. Louis area, are welcome.
Three winners per theme will be selected by a panel of judges.
Each winner will receive $50 and will be invited to perform their winning poem at the Field House Museum Saturday, May 9th 2026.

Second Sunday- Free Days at the Museum
2026-05-10 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.

The Battles at Lucas Bend
2026-05-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1620 Boyd Street, DeSoto, MO, 63020
Author Greg Wolk describes the events of November 1861 and January 1862 in Southeast Missouri, and the rise of Ulysses S. Grant during his time in the state in this period of time. Featured events include Grant’s arrival and swift departure at a landing northeast of Belmont, Missouri, where he led troops into battle for the first time in his military career, and his presence when ironclad warships made their first appearance in the inland rivers of the United States.

W.O.V.E. Missouri: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
2026-05-13 19:00 - 2026-07-01 20:00 | John F. Kennedy Community Center, 315 Howdershell RD, Florissant, 63031
W.O.V.E. Academy: Weaving a Legacy of Excellence
Join Women of Virtue Emerging (W.O.V.E.) for a transformative 8-week journey designed to strengthen the fabric of our community. Through the lens of the humanities, we explore the “Four Pillars of Excellence”—Self-Worth, Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Financial Literacy. This series invites participants to dive into their personal narratives, develop leadership skills rooted in character, and build the practical tools necessary for a stable, independent life. Together, we are not just learning; we are stitching together a stronger future for Missouri.

Thursday Evening Speaker Series: Tom Connor, Joplin's Zinc King
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Missouri State Archives, 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, 65101
The Thursday Evening Speaker Series is free of charge and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unless otherwise noted, programs will be held at the Missouri State Archives, located at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City. The series is underwritten by the Friends of the Missouri State Archives.
Born in Ireland, Tom Connor lived the classic American rags-to-riches story. He witnessed several of the Civil War’s major battles as a newsboy with the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then spent a decade wandering around the U.S. working various odd jobs before ending up in southwest Missouri. Connor soon developed a knack for knowing which tracts of land had rich zinc deposits beneath. He bought thousands of acres of land containing the ore and was a millionaire by the time he turned 31. He also “grubstaked” countless other miners, furnishing picks, drills, and other supplies in exchange for a percentage of royalties if a strike resulted. Unlike Joplin’s other mining kings, Connor never built a mansion for himself, preferring to spend his money on others. He gave thousands of dollars to churches and charities in Joplin land his hometown of Tiffin, Ohio, but his greatest gift was “the finest hotel property in this part of the country.”
Presented by author Chad Stebbins

History talk: Mary Meachum and the St. Louis Underground Railroad
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
St. Louis was an active stop on the Underground Railroad with its close proximity to the free state of Illinois. One of St. Louis’s most prominent conductors on the Underground Railroad was Mary Meachum. The widow of a free, black minister John Berry Meachum spent years with her husband teaching both free and enslaved blacks how to read and write, defying Missouri law. In May 1855, Mary led a boat of freedom-seekers on a midnight crossing of the Mississippi River toward Alton, Illinois. Upon arriving at shore, the party was met by law enforcement and all arrested, including Meachum. While the fates of most of the enslaved are unknown, Mary was released from custody shortly after the event and never charged. Local Meachum historian Angela DaSilva will discuss the St. Louis and the Underground Railroad and the brave individuals who sought to help those seeking freedom in a free state.
This program is free, please call (314) 842-1867 ext. 230 to make reservations.

French Heritage Festival
2026-05-20
Music, programs, dancing, living history encampments are all part of the full day’s activities at the French Heritage Festival in Ste. Genevieve, MIssouri. Historic houses, food, and entertainment are all available for visitors, in addition to a visit from the Marquis de LaFayette.

Sports in Kansas City
2026-05-28 10:00 - 2026-06-12 17:00 | Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr.,, Kansas City, MO, 64108
A new, short-term exhibition that presents the history of Black athletes and the impact Kansas City has had on professional sports in the United States

Movies Made in Missouri
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Scenic Regional Library–Owensville, 503 S. Olive Street, Owensville, 65066

George Washington & the Whiskey Rebellion
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:30
Dr. Richard Faulkner will present a program on George Washington & the Whiskey Rebellion for Platte County Historical Society at 6 p.m. in Platte City at the First Christian Church at 708 3rd Street, across from the Ben Ferrel Platte Co. Museum which is owned and operated by the historical society. This event coincides with the historical society’s exhibit “Revolutionary War Era, RIGHT HERE!” at the museum.

Salon de Griot: Conversations in Art, Ancestry, and Community
2026-05-29 18:00 - 20:00 | The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 Saint Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63106, United States
Join us for a two-hour gathering hosted in partnership with the Black Genome Project (BGP). This special event creates a unique space for conversation and reflection at the intersection of genetics, ancestry, culture, art, and health. The evening will include short artist talks, a moderated panel conversation, and audience Q&A. Panelists will include members of the BGP community, artists participating in the exhibit, researchers, and members of the Griot team, each sharing perspectives on their work and lived experience. Guests will also have time to enjoy refreshments and connect informally with one another. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Author Talk: “The Memoirs of General William Tecumseh Sherman—The Complete Annotated Edition”
2026-05-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
John Marszalek and David Nolen will discuss their latest publication, “The Memoirs of General William Tecumseh Sherman—The Complete Annotated Edition”. This edition is a Harvard University Press publication edited by MSU’s John F. Marszalek with Louie P. Gallo and David S. Nolen.
The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Missouri Master Gardener Conference
2026-06-04 | Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO, 65804, United States
Dig into four days of learning and inspiration at the 2026 Missouri Master Gardener Conference June 4–7 in Springfield. This statewide event features expert speakers, hands-on gardening knowledge, and plenty of ideas to take back to your own garden. Open to all experience levels. Registration closes May 1. Details: https://bit.ly/MGConferenceSignUp.

The Great Tornado of 1925
2026-06-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Daviess County Senior Center, 109 S Main St., Gallatin, 64640

Rolla's Route 66 Summerfest
2026-06-04 17:30 - 2026-06-06 23:30
Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 at Summerfest!
Join us in Downtown Rolla for a once-in-a-century kickoff to summer — June 4–6, 2026 — as we celebrate the Centennial of Route 66 in style!
We’ll kick things off Thursday night with a ribbon cutting and parade, featuring classic cars, and motorcycles ending at the festival lots.
After the parade, stick around for some great music at the bandshell.
This is more than a festival — it’s a milestone. Food, music, photo ops, vendors, activities for all ages… There will be more music and more time to celebrate and kick of summer the best way.
📍 Mark your calendars: June 4–6, 2026
📸 Bring the family, bring your appetite, and be part of the next 100 years of memories on Route 66!

First Saturdays at Keystone: Arts, Culture & Creative Entrepreneurship
2026-06-06 | Keystone CoLAB, 800 E 18th St, Kansas City, 64108

Art On The Side - Liberty
2026-06-06 08:00 - 17:00
A Celebration of Creativity! Join us in historic downtown Liberty, Missouri, for the annual Art on the Side Liberty Art Festival, a vibrant showcase of art, craftsmanship, and entertainment! This year’s festival will feature over 80 talented artists and artisan makers displaying their stunning creations. From fine art to handcrafted goods, there will be something for everyone to admire, purchase, and enjoy. The event will take place in the parking lots and on Main Street, right next to The Artisan Market at 118 N Main Street, Liberty, MO, transforming the area into a lively hub of artistic expression. The festival runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, packed with activities for all ages! Here’s what you can look forward to: Fine Artists & Artisan Marketplace: Explore an array of artwork and handcrafted items created by local and regional artists and makers. Paintings, glass, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and more await you. Food Trucks: Treat yourself to delicious eats from a variety of food vendors offering local favorites. Children’s Activities: Bring the kids for chalk art, face painting, and other fun activities designed to spark their creativity.

National Trails Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
National Trails Day provides the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community. If you are out enjoying Gravois Greenway on National Trails Day, stop in and enjoy our new path that takes you down by the stream where First Lady Julia Dent Grant played as a child. If your canine companion is along, it is a great opportunity to make them a BARK Ranger. At 1:00 PM, a ranger will lead a two-mile walk along Grant’s Trail. The program is free.

Dr. Luke Ritter shares research on German Immigrants in Nineteenth-Century Missouri
2026-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | St. Charles Rotary Club, 520 N Benton Avenue, St. Charles, 63301

Night at the Museum
2026-06-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Christian County Museum, 100 E Elm St, Ozark, 65721
The evening will include a museum artifact scavenger hunt through newly renovated exhibits, hors d’oeuvres and drinks, silent auction, a presentation by historian Wayne Glenn, and a gift for all attendees.

Author Talk: Presidential Road Trips
2026-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
From the birthplace of George Washington to the train depot where Jimmy Carter launched
his presidential campaign, Presidential Road Trips – 100 Places To Explore and Experience
The History of American Presidents will help you plan an unforgettable American history
lesson! Follow travel author Bill Clevlen as he explores the places where future presidents
spent their formative years, and the retreats where they relaxed, entertained, and made
consequential decisions. The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Landscapes of Summertime Past
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123, United States
Twenty historic sites are joining together for this event. See how our ancestors connected
with the land, in both ornamental and practical ways. Take the opportunity to enjoy the
new path through our native grasses to Little Prairie Creek. White Haven will be open from
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM with ranger presentations at the top of the hour.
