History Museum on the Square

History Museum on the Square It is located on historic Route 66 in downtown Springfield, MO. We strengthen our community’s future by learning about our past and our culture.
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History Museum on the Square strengthens our future by sharing our past, offering engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and unique events to celebrate local history and inspire learning. History Museum on the Square is a nonprofit museum located right on historic Route 66 in Springfield, MO. Our six permanent galleries tell the stories of significant events in Springfield and create distinct an

d intentional dialogues about objects, individuals, and history– dialogues that foster examinations of unique aspects of Springfield, Greene County and its people. A rich and vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and stories of the crossroads are combined using innovative technologies. Take a ride in our Trolley Time Machine, see if you are as good a shot as Wild Bill Hickok in a recreation of the first Wild West Shootout, explore what Springfield was like during the Civil War, and travel down the Mother Road to the place where Route 66 got its name. Walking tours of Springfield, special programs and events are offered throughout the year and can be found on our website. Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: Closed to the Public
Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 1-5 pm

Prices:
Adult: $16.00
Senior/Military/Student: $13.00
Child (age 4-12): $10.00
Children 3 & under: Free

Mission:

The History Museum on the Square is committed to building and preserving an extensive collection of historical documents and artifacts, as we share stories of the crossroads to engage, educate, and inspire our diverse audience. Executive Director: Sean FitzGibbons
Business Manager: Charlotte McCoy
Special Event & Visitor Experience Manager: Abby Foster
Education Manager: Whitney Mosley
Civics Education Coordinator - Jill Hodge
CivicS Education Coordinator - Al Thompson
Collections & Exhibits Manager: Sarah Dotson
First Impression Coordinator: Alyssa Cartier
Executive Director Emeritus: John Sellars

https://linktr.ee/historymuseumonthesquare

This Labor Day weekend, the History Museum on the Square celebrates the workers who have contributed to movements across...
09/03/2026

This Labor Day weekend, the History Museum on the Square celebrates the workers who have contributed to movements across the nation—and the volunteers who helped to support and uplift those workers in support of our community!

Be sure to stop by Park Central Square this Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM and visit our 3rd Annual Service Fair on the Square and see all the ways that you can continue the legacy that shaped our community's history here in Springfield!
Pictured below: Black and white photo of a Labor Day parade on St. Louis St. turning north on Jefferson Ave. The horse-drawn wagon carries lighted signs made by Watts Mfg. Co. (ca. 1915); 14 men and women conducting a Red Cross volunteer recruitment campaign at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church during WWII (ca. 1943).
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09/01/2026

Join us for the third annual Service Fair on the Square, where more than 20 local organizations will come together to share what they do and how YOU can get involved. 🙌

Whether you’re a student looking for service hours, searching for a cause you care about, or simply looking for a new way to connect with your community, the Service Fair is a great place to start!

Thank you to the History Museum on the Square for hosting this event. They are celebrating 50 years of preserving and sharing the stories that make our community special!

History UnCorked with 417 Cocktails and Ty Iechyd Da Distillery  is always a blast! During our last installment, Democra...
08/26/2026

History UnCorked with 417 Cocktails and Ty Iechyd Da Distillery is always a blast!

During our last installment, Democracy on the Rocks, we exercised our right to vote - congratulations to Brian Tyndall on his presidency!

Even though our upcoming Spirits, Stories, and Ozark Lore is sold out, we still have some seats available for December 10th - War and Whiskey: WWII Edition! Check the comments below for a direct link to our website.

The History Museum on the Square mourns the loss of our friend and long-time supporter Karen H***y. She will be deeply m...
08/19/2026

The History Museum on the Square mourns the loss of our friend and long-time supporter Karen H***y. She will be deeply missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her. We will continue to honor her legacy as we grow and strive to embody her vision of preserving Springfield history for future generations.

Please visit our website to learn more about Karen’s life, including memories shared by those who worked with her while the History Museum on the Square developed into the institution it is today.

Happy move-in weekend to all of our incoming students! Looking for something fun to do after you've settled in? Come vis...
08/15/2026

Happy move-in weekend to all of our incoming students! Looking for something fun to do after you've settled in? Come visit the History Museum on the Square to learn more about your new home sweet home.

Any college students who arrive with a valid university ID receive discounted admission, but if you don't have the time to stop by before 5 PM today, we're open tomorrow from 1-5 PM!

Pictured below: Drury University Stone Chapel, view from the northeast corner of Benton Ave. & Central St. (ca. 1945); postcard of Missouri State University Carrington Hall, formerly known as Academic Hall on the Missouri State Normal School campus (ca. 1910); postcard of Evangel University Library, the first permanent building on the campus (ca. 1960).

We had a great Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Weekend and hope you did too! Downtown Springfield and Historic Route 66 ...
08/13/2026

We had a great Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Weekend and hope you did too!

Downtown Springfield and Historic Route 66 have changed a lot, but some notable landmarks like the Holland Building, the Gillioz Theatre, and the Woodruff Building can still be seen today! This past weekend, St. Louis Street was full of vendors, festival goers, and classic cars.

If you didn't get a chance to see our current temporary exhibit in our Voices of History Gallery, titled 'Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66's Centennial', visit us before September 20th, 2026!

📅 Join us on September 5th, 2026, for our 3rd Annual Service Fair on the Square  More than a dozen local  organizations ...
08/12/2026

📅 Join us on September 5th, 2026, for our 3rd Annual Service Fair on the Square

More than a dozen local organizations are coming together to share their work and celebrate the community we love! This free, all-ages event is part of the museum’s ongoing mission to serve our community and help everyone find ways to make a difference!
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Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is going on now! When you’re downtown and need a break from the heat be sure to check ou...
08/07/2026

Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is going on now! When you’re downtown and need a break from the heat be sure to check out our Birthplace of Route 66 permanent exhibit and find out why Springfield is the Birthplace of Route 66.

Adults are $16, kids are $10, members are alway free, and senior, military, and student discounts are available!

Address

154 Park Central Square
Springfield, MO
65806

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(417) 831-1976

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