Missouri Humanities

History talk: Mary Meachum and the St. Louis Underground Railroad
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

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

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
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.”

Rolla's Route 66 Summerfest
2026-06-04 17:30 - 2026-06-06 23:30 | MO
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, 2026-07-04 | Keystone CoLAB, 800 E 18th St, Kansas City, 64108

Art On The Side - Liberty
2026-06-06 08:00 - 17:00 | MO
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.

2026 French Heritage Festival
2026-06-13 11:30 - 21:00 | Lion’s Club Park, 155 Market Street, Ste. Genevieve, 63670
The Ste. Genevieve French Heritage Festival is a cultural celebration of treasured traditions, skills, cuisines, stories and musical talents of the French Creole Corridor in and around Ste. Genevieve. Held annually on the second Saturday in June, the French Heritage Festival features musical performances, storytelling, living history skill demonstrations, games and frontier folk dancing in a family friendly event set among the amazing and rare 18th century architecture of the Ste. Genevieve historic district.

Second Sunday- Free Days at the Museum
2026-06-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-09 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-11 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-11-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-12-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2027-01-10 10:00 - 16:00 and 4 more dates | 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.

Keynote Event: Denise Kiernan
2026-06-30 18:00 - 21:00 | The Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, 63103
Join Missouri Humanities in St. Louis this summer for a fireside chat with bestselling author Denise Kiernan!
Kiernan is the author of The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle. She will be discussing her upcoming book, Obstinate Daughters, about the writers, renegades, enslaved women, soldiers, and community leaders who ignited the fight for America’s independence.
This program is supported by the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, The State Historical Society of Missouri, and Anders CPA.
June 30th, 2026 │ The Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, MO
Purchase tickets at https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/denise-kiernan

MO-TELL's Annual Liars Contest
2026-07-10 - 2026-07-11 | Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave., Joplin, 64801
MOTELL, Missouri Storytelling organization, will be holding their annual Liars Contest July 10&11. Friday night we will open with a free storytelling concert with nationally renowned storytellers and local live music. Saturday will begin at 9:30 with a free workshop on storytelling. The contest will begin at 2:00. Come hear the whoppers and see who wins bragging rights for Missouri’s biggest liar.

Author Talk: Guerillas in Civil War Missouri
2026-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Field House Museum is pleased to welcome author and historian James Erwin!
James Erwin will speak on his book Guerillas in Civil War Missouri at the Field House Museum, Saturday, July 18th at 1:00pm. As a border state, and one with deeply divided political sentiments, the Civil War was uniquely intimate in Missouri. Besides the 26 large battles fought in the state, Missouri was the setting for countless skirmishes. Citizens and soldiers alike took part in or fell victim to the guerrilla warfare that became a characteristic of Missouri’s Civil War struggle. James Erwin will walk listeners through the key people, places, and engagements of Missouri’s guerilla war.
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.
About the Speaker:
Jim Erwin practiced law in St. Louis for 38 years. He is the author or co-author of eight books on various local history subjects, including the Civil War in Missouri, steamboat disasters, and 200 years of notorious crimes in Missouri. His latest book (with his wife Vicki) is Ulysses and Julia Grant’s Missouri Love Story, published by the History Press in 2025.

Women in the Archive
2026-08-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Jefferson County Library – Northwest Branch, 5680 Missouri PP, High Ridge, 63049
Dive into the untold stories of remarkable women through short vignettes centered around meaningful objects. Participants are invited to bring their own piece of women’s history, whether a family heirloom or personal memento, and join the discussion on preserving and recovering the often overlooked narratives of women’s lives.

Author Talk: The War for Missouri: 1861-1862
2026-08-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Field House Museum is pleased to welcome author and historian Joseph McCoskrie.
Author of War for Missouri: 1861-1862 Joseph McCoskrie will walk guests through the history detailed in his book . McCoskrie will reveal the first years of the Civil War in Missouri, a particularly bitter theatre of the American Civil War.
Join us at the Field House Museum Saturday, August 22nd at 1:00 pm to learn about the important people, places and events of the Civil War in our state!
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.
About the Speaker:
Joseph McCoskrie is a long time Kansas City, Missouri resident currently living in Fulton, Missouri. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. McCoskrie taught Leadership & Military History for the University of Missouri’s Army ROTC, and has been a Churchill Fellow and tour guide at the National Churchill Museum in Fulton for the past 13 years. McCoskrie’s books include The Civil War Missouri Compendium: Almost Unabridged and War for Missouri: 1861-1862.

Speaker Series: Poetry with Laureate Justin Hamm
2026-09-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Field House Museum, 634 S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Field House Museum is pleased to welcome Missouri Poet Laureate, Justin Hamm, for a special live performance.
Justin Hamm, named Poet Laureate in 2025, will bring his modern verse to the birthplace and boyhood home of the “Children’s Poet,” Eugene Field. Join us at the Field House Museum to enjoy an afternoon of poetry honoring the form Eugene Field held dear.
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.
About the Speaker:
Justin Hamm is the current Missouri Poet Laureate (2025-2027). He is the author of five books of poetry—O Death, Drinking Guinness With the Dead: Poems 2007–2021, The Inheritance, American Ephemeral, and Lessons in Ruin—as well as the creator of Poet Baseball Cards and founding editor of the museum of americana. Justin was chosen as a 2024 and 2022 Woody Guthrie Poet, a 2020 Missouri Arts Council Featured Artist, a finalist for the 2018 River Styx International Poetry Prize, and the winner of the 2014 Stanley Hanks Memorial Poetry Prize.
His poems, stories, collages, and reviews have appeared in Nimrod International Journal, The Midwest Quarterly, Sugar House Review, Verse Daily, Southern Indiana Review, the New Poetry from the Midwest anthology series, and many other publications. In 2022 he delivered a performance entitled “The American Midwest: a Story in Poems” at TEDx Oshkosh, and in 2019 his poem “Goodbye, Sancho Panza” was studied by approximately 50,000 students worldwide as part of the World Scholar’s Cup curriculum.

Stone by Stone: Community Cemetery Preservation Workshops
2027-05-01 08:00 - 15:30 | Webb City Cemetery, 1811 South Oronogo Street, Webb City, Missouri, 1811 South Oronogo Street,, Webb City, MO, 64870, United States
The Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society (JCCPS) is excited to host the inaugural Stone by Stone: Community Cemetery Preservation Workshop at Webb City Cemetery on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
This FREE community event is designed to 1) promote respectful stewardship of historic and active-burial cemeteries and 2) support the mission to protect and preserve the resting places of those who laid the foundations of our communities.
The “Stone by Stone” event workshops will feature preservation specialist Kurt Jordan, the KC Cemetery Man, and will include instruction on proper headstone cleaning, monument stabilization demonstrations, review of safety protocols, and much more!
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – Registration
8:30 AM – Opening Remarks
8:45 AM – Demonstrations Begin
Location: Webb City Cemetery
1811 South Oronogo Street, Webb City, Missouri
A special feature of the day will include JCCPS’s annual Flower Sale. Visitors are encouraged to pick up their Memorial Day decorations for a donation which supports cemetery preservation efforts. We’re happy to help you build bouquets.
The Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society’s facebook page is the best place for community members to see the developing schedule of events and engage with the planners. Several announcements about additional demonstrations and workshops will be finalized in the coming weeks. FREE tickets are available on the event page – please let us know you are coming.
JCCPS President Rikki Smith can be reached at 417-629-4914 for more information about the organization or event sponsorships.
