The Joplin History & Mineral Museum has been an educational cornerstone since its establishment in 1931. The museum is a vital learning center that provides educational programming and exhibitions for learners of all ages. The Joplin History & Mineral Museum strives to educate visitors about the importance of local history through the continued preservation & display of historical artifacts. Ritchie Tri-State Mineral wing displays the world’s most prestigious collection of Tri-State mineral specimens. Visitors will learn about the importance of mining in Joplin’s history through scale models, mined specimens, and mining equipment on display–and will walk away with an understanding of the role that minerals play in our everyday lives. Visitors will also encounter a small collection of natural history specimens including mammoth teeth, projectile points, and dinosaur bones. The Dorothea B. Hoover historical wing displays snapshots of Joplin’s rich history that without interpretation might otherwise be forgotten. From the humble shovel to the House of Lords, to Bonnie & Clyde’s infamous shootout to the 2011 tornado, visitors will learn about the key figures, events, and locations that have impacted Joplin’s transitional development over the last 150 years. Hoover historical wing also houses the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum, the Joplin Fire Department’s 1926 American LaFrance Fire Engine, and a variety of rotating exhibits that lend understanding to the diversity of history that can be found in the Joplin area.
