Last updated: 11/28/2013
155 Park Central SquareSpringfield, MO 65802
P.O. Box 2963Springfield, MO 65801
Tuesday - Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Adults: $5
Children under 2: Free
Children: $3
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John Sellars
phone: 417-831-1976
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Joan Porter-Hampton
phone: 417-831-1976
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Colleen Mcguane
phone: 417-831-1976
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History Museum on the Square is a private, not-for-profit organization that began in 1975 as a Bicentennial project. The space for the History Museum office was in historic Old City Hall and was provided by the City of Springfield, but we have now moved our offices in July 2013, near our new museum space on Springfield?s historic Park Central Square. Our new business office is located in the beautiful Holland Building in Suite 404 ( 4th floor.)
As a not-for-profit organization, we continue to raise the necessary program and operating funds through admissions, gift shop sales, special events, memberships, donations and grants. Our current exhibit location is part of our exciting museum expansion space at the museum's historic Park Central Square location, 155 Park Central Square. Our dedication to these beautiful buildings and their location on Springfield's beloved public square, has inspired our new name: History Museum on the Square. Visit us today!
CREATE a new interactive History Museum destination for the Springfield Community and its visitors.
LAUNCH innovative technology to explore, preserve and present our history and the foundations of Springfield and Greene County.
ENGAGE citizens and community guests by offering: - High tech hands on history for kids - Historical walking tours - Costumed reenactments - Additional local history experiences in the historic Fox Theater.
ATTRACT exciting traveling exhibits from across our nation.
DEVELOP an expanded flex space allowing us to uniquely share significant items from our archival and dimensional collections.
We began in 1975 as a Bicentennial project and located on the square in Springfield. Later, we moved to larger space at the Bentley House north of the Drury University campus. Decided to remove the image of an historic house museum the city of Springfield generously offered space in historic Old City Hall the city government offices had just vacated. Limited by our location and lack of adequate parking, we have now moved our offices in July 2013, near our NEW museum space on Springfield's historic Park Central Square. Our new business office is located in the Holland Building in Suite 404. Our future offices and permanent exhibit will be on the entire northwest quadrant of the square.
The archival collection contains over 50,000 items. Over 20,000 pieces of this collection include books and documents, books by area authors, historical reference books, local family papers, deeds and maps.
Over 20,000 pieces of this collection include books and documents, books by area authors, historical reference books, local family papers, deeds and maps.
Our photographic holdings are particularly strong, with more than 30,000 historical photographs preserving images of Springfield from its beginnings.
Our historical artifact collection contains over 100,000 significant pieces including antique china, household items, furniture and office equipment.
We also have a large costume and textile collection containing men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories from 1830 to the 1970's as well as many quilts, coverlets and linens.
We offer school tours for local area students to meet historical requirements of curriculum.
We offer tours for other groups as well.
We have a speakers bureau we call "trunk shows" for different topics to offer the community. The "trunks" are available for check-out by teachers to present to their social studies or history classes as well.
We also offer walking history tours and "step up" bus tours, as we are located in the heart of Springfield history!
We currently have temporary exhibit space at 155 Park Central square and a newly acquired "Fox Theater" building for rental use until we begin renovating that area as well. We are currently renovating the "Barths" building for new exhibit space.
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
There is a board of trustees that governs the History Museum on the Square, Inc.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: Yes
Quarterly members' newsletters of the museum's activities.
We can offer catered meals, if needed.
The Museum’s volunteers perform a wide-range of tasks, depending on their own special skills and interests. Their time commitment ranges from periodically giving a couple of hours to help with a special event to spending several hours each week at the Museum. Each volunteer brings something unique to History Museum on the Square, something that helps it grow and develop. We are looking for talented museum supporters who can volunteer as Event or Exhibit Hosts, Special Event Helpers, Clerical and Curator Assistants. Please contact our office for more info.
Please schedule in advance. Call 417-831-1976 or 417-832-1200.
Historic Calaboose/Police Museum Tour $1 per person ( 5 person minimum):
This 1891 jail showcases a wide variety of police materials, eras, officers, crimes and criminals.
History Museum Tour $1 per person in addition to regular museum admission.
Historic Walking Tour $1 per person ( 5 person minimum).
Historic Step-up Bus Tour Guides are available. (You provide the bus.) $5 person.
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
As of December 2013, temporary exhibit space is at 155 Park Central square while the other buildings are renovated for the new home of the museum. The second floor of the temporary exhibit is only accessible by stairs.
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