Bushwhacker Museum

08/21/2026

The fourth and final Lunch & Learn of 2026 at the Bushwhacker Museum will take place on Tuesday, September 1st, 12pm. Randy Arnold of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, will give a program about the historic Talbot fishing reels, which were manufactured in Nevada in the early 20th century by jeweler William H. Talbot. Lunch will be catered by the museum volunteers. The cost is $20/ person for the general public and $15.00 for VCHS members. Reservations can be made by calling the Bushwhacker Museum at 417-667-9602. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at https://bushwhacker.org/product-category/event-tickets/.

07/23/2026

Come to the Bushwhacker Museum on Tuesday, August 4th for the next summer Lunch & Learn program. Art professor Kristi Arnold of Cottey College will give a history and demonstration of Mokuhanga (mo-koo-hahn-gah) art, which is a Japanese form of woodblock printmaking. Lunch will be catered by the museum volunteers. The cost is $20/ person. Reservations can be made by calling the Bushwhacker Museum at 417-667-9602.

07/19/2026

A fascinating piece of Missouri Civil War history has been returned to the state of Missouri. The Friends of the Missouri State Museum are raising funds to conserve and display the flag of General Jo Shelby's Confederate Iron Brigade. If you would like to be a part of this worthy project, please follow the QR code link below.

07/16/2026

The Bushwhacker Museum gift shop has a new book for sale. "They Died in the Mines" Volume 1, by Randy Corbin. This book tells the stories of the many men who died in mining accidents in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas from 1875-1925. While the subject matter is sobering, this booklet is a window into an important, if dangerous, part of regional economic and social history. "They Died in the Mines" is sold for $13.00 and can be purchased in person at the Bushwhacker Museum or online at https://bushwhacker.org/product-category/books1/

07/07/2026

In honor of America 250, the Bushwhacker Museum will host a free public program about the Battle of St. Louis, 1780, the only Revolutionary War battle to take place on what would become Missouri soil. The presenter is Stephen Stark of the Sons of the American Revolution. Sunday, July 12th, 2:00pm.

07/02/2026

The Bushwhacker Museum will be open for tours on Friday, July 3rd, 10am-4pm and Saturday, July 4th, 10am-1pm. If you want to beat the heat and learn about Vernon County history, this is the place!

We wish you all a wonderful Independence Day! The postcard featured here was created in 1917, during World War I and is part of the Bushwhacker Museum's collection.

06/25/2026

Don't miss the Bushwhacker Museum's next Lunch & Learn program on Tuesday, July 7th, 12pm. The speaker is Christopher Briley, who will give a program titled "A Hundred Years of the Mother Road: The Story of Route 66 in Missouri.” Lunch will be catered by the museum volunteers. The cost is $20/ person. Reservations can be made by calling the Bushwhacker Museum at 417-667-9602 or online at https://bushwhacker.org/product-category/event-tickets/

06/21/2026

Check out this concert on Sunday afternoon at the Disciples Christian Church. All donations benefit the Vernon County Historical Society.

06/12/2026

Tom Drennen, author of "Guardian Guerrillas" will do a talk and book signing at the Bushwhacker Museum on Saturday, June 13th at 11AM. The book tells the story of Missouri outlaw and Bushwhacker Frank James and his experiences during the Civil War and beyond.

06/12/2026