New Harmonies is a journey through the development of America’s creative expression through music known by names like blues, country western, folk ballads, and gospel. America is rich with musical stories. This fall we have the chance to hear them by special arrangement with the Smithsonian Institution and the Missouri Humanities Council. The exhibit is interactive, with audio components suited for visitors of all ages and musical interests. In addition to the exhibit, there are multiple concerts, from fiddling to hip-hop, films, workshops, lectures and other activities throughout the five weeks. This nationally touring exhibit is featured at the Johnson County Historical Society. See our Website for details and schedules.

This exhibit features Civil War flags from the Missouri State Museum’s collection. Many of these flags have not been on display since before 1920. The exhibit includes more than 125 Civil War flags, both Union and Confederate. Presented in the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery, inside the Union Hotel at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site.

Enjoy an 1860s Victorian Christmas during candlelight tours of the Hunter-Dawson home, which will be decorated with hundreds of feet of pin roping, three Christmas trees, ribbons and trimming. Staff will be in period clothing and on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be served. Regular tours will be given both days from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the City of New Madrid and the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce. The tours are free and open to the public.

Visit a mid-19th century community as the residents prepare for Christmas. The aroma of hearth cooked meals and the sound of period music will put you in a festive mood. Recent immigrants will demonstrate their ethnic traditions as they keep their heritage alive with their special customs.

See what the holiday season was like when Weston was the Queen of the River and commerce centered on the Missouri River. Tour four homes: the Bowman House; the Mary Vineyard Home; Kurtz Home; and the Hatchery House. Visit the people who lived, worked and left a history worth sharing. Friday's tours include hors d'oeuvres and drinks at The Avalon Cafe, 608 Main St., for $25 per person. Saturday and Sunday tours are $10, younger than 12, $4.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1980 to 1990. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

The Missouri Botanical Garden's annual Orchid Show features 800 orchids from one of the world’s best collections. Garden admission plus $5. Free for members.

Take a look at Missourians on the home front during World War II. Explore the adjustments that families and children had to make in order to survive the war.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1950 to 1960. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

View an exhibit about African-American education in post-Civil War Missouri with a special emphasis on Lincoln University.

Start the holiday season by attending this holiday concert featuring some of the most talented young people in our area. This annual event honors cancer patients; it is presided over by an honorary chairperson who has experienced cancer. Proceeds benefit the cancer patients of Southeast Missouri Hospital Regional Cancer Center, to include We Can Weekend. Suggested donation $5 per person. Held at Cape Bible Chapel.

Papa and Jackie Wright narrate and perform The History of Christmas. This warm, candlelit show, features mambas, drums and various instruments. It will leave you in the holiday spirit. Tickets go on sale November 28. Cost, $6 (limit 10 per person).  At First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.

Glimpse the most eventful century in history. Explore Missouri as it moved through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1960 to 1970. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade. At Missouri State Museum.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is a magical tale of a young girl's holiday vision. Delight in the land of sweets; watch the snow fall; and witness the fierce battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Presented at Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Tickets available online at www.touhill.org.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1940 to 1950. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

Bundle up and bring the family to the bridge to view bald eagles as they search for fish. View a live eagle up close in the education tent; the program repeats every 20 minutes from 10 a.m.-2:40 p.m. From the bridge, trained volunteers will assist visitors using viewing scopes to spot eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead or roosting in trees. The program showcases Lewis and Clark reenactors in a camp reminiscent of 1804. Bring your binoculars. Dress to warm.

Free parking and shuttles are available at the Missouri Welcome Center (I-270, exit 34) and at North Riverfront Park (I-270, exit 34, Riverview Drive south of the water treatment plant). Parking at the Missouri entrance to the Bridge is $5; free for handicapped.

At this early Missouri hunting camp, discover what it was like to be a hunter in the 19th century and why it still means something to us today. The event features 19th century fiber arts demonstrations in the Nathan Boone home.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1970 to 1980. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1990 to 2000. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1910 to 1920. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

The 33rd Annual Championship Racking Horse Show will exhibit horses and riders in Western or English tack and attire in various racking horse gaits in several classes.

The full Missouri State University Choirs will join us for a powerhouse performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. This truly awe inspiring work is one of the signature works of the 20th century; the opening, O Fortuna, has been used countless times for dramatic effect in film and television. The excitement of the evening will swell higher with performances including world class soloist Kathleen Kim, a regular at the Metropolitan Opera, the 2008 Hellam Competition winner Ben Gulley, and the vocals of diverse Baritone Elem Eley. Concert held in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Single tickets: $9-$17. Season tickets available.

Stop by Jowler Creek Winery to pair everyone’s favorite Christmas cookies with our award-winning, hand-crafted Missouri wines. Nothing will warm Santa’s heart more than finding a delectable chocolate cookie and some Jowler Creek Norton by the fireplace this Christmas Eve. You might even keep it for yourself.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act examines the Bleeding Kansas era, 1854-1861, and the approach of the Civil War. Featuring the original document from Washington, D.C., the exhibition explores the period of violent confrontation between pro-slavery and free state settlers following the passage of the act which created the Kansas Territory which repealed the Missouri Compromise that had outlawed slavery above 36° 30’ latitude in the Louisiana territories and reopened the national struggle over the expansion of slavery. Presented in the National Archives at Kansas City.

Celebrate Mark Twain’s 174th birthday. Learn to make a Nettie rag doll. See other craft demonstrations. Enjoy free admission and refreshments, as well as door prizes. The video Missouri’s Native Son will be shown. At Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site.

The Saint Louis University Museum of Art is pleased to host the U.S. inaugural exhibition of The 12th Hungarian Cartoon Festival: A Dialogue of Cultures. The exhibition opens at 6 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 23, and continues until Dec. 20. In 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the Hungarian Culture Foundation, initiated a cartoon competition to commemorate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The first-time international competition invited cartoonists worldwide to submit their works related to the topic, “Dialogue of Cultures.” The result was an exhibition that contained 77 cartoons originating from 25 countries. The caricatures astonish, amuse, and allow for an unlimited amount of personal interpretation. They offer an illustration of the value and diversity in history, traditions and cultures. Some of the works, while seemingly depicting the most every day occurrences, reach almost philosophical heights. This first-time event for the St. Louis area is sponsored by The Hungarian-Missouri Educational Partnership and the Thomas Jefferson School, located in Sunset Hills.

Your home begins to shake, dishes rattle to the floor, and the Mississippi River rolls backward. Travel back to one of the worst natural disasters in Missouri history: the 1811 New Madrid earthquake.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1900 to 1910. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

In February 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years as an organization. This exhibit will present information on the history of the Boy Scouts in central Missouri. It will include historical items from the Great Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1920 to 1930. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

Catch a glimpse of the most eventful century in history with this series that explores Missouri as it moves through the 20th century. During this segment, examine 1930 to 1940. Receive a passport and collect a stamp from each decade.

A delightful musical, written by Missourians. It tells the story of life on the Big Muddy (the Missouri River) in 1928. The musical is presented at the St. Francis Borgia Regional High School Theatre. The production is the work of the Turner Hall River Rats for the Arts.