south of Hwy 136, between Routes A & V, in Downing, Schuyler County, MO. (mailing address: 10076 State Hwy N, Downing, MO 63536) The Downing Depot Museum opened in 1976 for the Downing Appreciation Days bicentennial celebration. The building's relocation came about when Burlington Northern railroad no longer needed the building and donated it to the City of Downing. The relocation and the creation
of a local historical museum was Downing's beginning of today's very accessible and busy Appreciation Days Park. The Museum houses memorabilia, photos, and info on early Downing, established in 1876. On display are records of activities of Schuyler and Scotland counties, including rural schools, churches, and cemeteries; early Downing medicine, fires, government, and businesses; and genealogy on over 1,600 area families living in and around Downing in the past to the present. One room is devoted entirely to the area's military memories, from the Civil War to the present. The Annex houses the Lauer Blacksmith exhibit of wagons and sleighs, along with larger artifacts and equipment used by local businesses, farming (especially to***co production), railroads, transportation, and manufacturing. Downing was the railroad's hub for the area's large to***co crop, grain, and livestock shipments by rail around 1900. The Museum continues to accept donations of memorabilia and monetary support of our mission. Adjacent to the Museum, as part of the park, is the old City Jail, the large rentable Downing Appreciation Days building, a large children’s playground, a stage and natural amphitheater, the fireworks launching area, tractor pull area, and the Coffey Ropers arena with limited electrical campsites available. This park is the center for activities in Downing and the surrounding area all year 'round. The Museum is open for many local events, or by appointment—call Carol at 641.929.3915, Jerry at 660.379.2467, or Judy at 660.342.1454.
