We are not a flyover state…
We are the heart of America
Small Town Showcase is Missouri Humanities’ premiere digital storytelling initiative. Through podcasts and short films, the program highlights the heritage and culture of Missouri’s small towns, sharing their unique stories of resilience, revitalization, and resurgence.
Check out our previous Episodes & Podcasts at the links below.
Questions?
Please contact Caitlin Yager, our Program Director, at caitlin@mohumanities.org
2026 Featured Five
Perryville, MO
Perryville is a community of just over 8,000 people about 80 miles south of St. Louis, and honestly, it is almost overwhelming how much this town has to offer. From natural history sites to museums, restaurants, historic properties, and more, Perryville is a true small town destination in the Show Me State with many layers of history to explore.
Savannah, MO
Savannah, Missouri, located in Andrew County in northwestern Missouri. It has a population of just about 5,000 people, but the unique businesses, cultural offerings, parks, food, and events rival those of communities two or three times its size.
Waynesville, MO
Waynesville, located in Pulaski County, is home to about 5,400 people. Between road warriors on Route 66 and military families from Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville has become a melting pot. And that’s just the start. There are so many layers to Waynesville's story. From its place in Trail of Tears history, its complicated role in the Civil War, and the heyday of Route 66, each piece of this community’s past plays a big role in its identity today.
2025 Featured Five
Elsberry, Missouri
Elsberry is a Mississippi River community that has seen both trials and triumph. From its early days as a railroad community to its growing downtown businesses, Elsberry’s story is a testament to small town perseverance and preservation.
Potosi, Missouri
Potosi has deep roots and rich history, with original settlers dating back to the early 1760s. Much of its story is tied to bountiful lead mining in the region, and Potosi proudly celebrates this through annual festivals, commemorative signage, and historic sites, keeping its citizens actively engaged in propelling the community forward.
Prairie Home, Missouri
Prairie Home is a town where residents truly depend on one another to ensure community success and resilience, and they strive to prove that population size is just a number. For example, check out their Prairie Home Free Fair, an annual summer tradition for over 100 years! It's the perfect example of community pride and support.
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
This small river community is hailed as the first permanent European settlement West of the Mississippi River, giving Ste. Genevieve major historical significance not just for Missouri, but nationally as well. Almost 300 years later, the town is brimming with historic charm, engaging and exciting events, and a yearn to share their story with more people, enticing them to experience Ste. Gen’s many offerings.
Tarkio, Missouri
Once a thriving railroad and college community, this town of about 1,500 residents is embracing its past while looking toward the future. From the revival of the historic Tarkio College campus to a charming downtown filled with local history, discover the people and places that make Tarkio a community worth exploring.
