Historic Sites / Civil War

Welcome to the "Home of the Missouri Dinosaur." Our exhibits include a life-size model of the hypsibema missouriense, a variety of dinosaur called a Hadrosaur or "duck billed" dinosaur, with jaws that contained more than 1,000 teeth—the dinosaur was discovered in Bollinger County in 1942; in 2004 it became the Missouri's official dinosaur.

The museum houses dinosaur fossils and artifacts from around the world; a fossil preparation lab; Will Mayfield College memorabilia; Civil War ballistics; American Indian artifacts; a digitized presentation of historic local photographs; wireless radio development; artifacts from the wreck of the Steamboat Montana; and a children's fun and educational room.

Our museum makes its home in the Art and Science building of the former Will Mayfield College campus, overlooking the foothills of the ancient Ozark Mountains. Beautiful architecture and educational history placed our building on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

Admission: $2; younger than 19, $1.

The two-story courthouse, built in 1873, houses the courtroom where the Ford brothers were tried for the murder of Jesse James. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Step back in time, back when Missouri was way out West in the wilderness, and experience the lives of the men and women who secured the American frontier. Built in 1808, under the direction of William Clark, co-leader of the Lewis & Clark expedition, the Fort served a dual role. It was both a military garrison and trade center. Overlooking the Missouri River, this historic site has been reconstructed to portray Fort Osage as it was in 1812. Authentically attired interpreters provide living-history insights into the daily life of both the military and civilian populations.

The Fort Osage Education Center adjacent to the Fort has a permanent exhibit area which features interactive exhibits on site geology, local flora and fauna of the early 19th century, Hopewell Indians, Osage Indians, Lewis and Clark, Fort Osage and the Missouri River. The Center also has special exhibit space, classroom, meeting rooms, auditorium and conservation laboratory, including archival storage.

Driving Directions From Kansas City: Take 24 Highway east to Buckner. Turn north at Sibley Street (Route BB) and travel about three miles, while watching carefully for directional signs. Drive through Sibley following the signs to Fort Osage.

The Truman Library offers theaters, a museum store and dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits designed to engage all ages. Step into a replica of President Truman’s Oval Office; test your presidential courage in Decision Theaters; and experience some of the most dramatic moments in American history. Truman's grave is on-site. See our Website for schedules of special exhibits and activities. Admission: $8; Ages 65+, $7; Ages 6-15, $3.

Discover how a young boy growing up in the small village of Hannibal became one of the world's most beloved authors.

A self-guided tour of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum gives you the chance to explore the Hannibal of Samuel Clemens and experience the amazing stories he created through the his power of imagination.

The properties include six historically significant buildings; plus two interactive museums whose collections include 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings and a wealth of Twain artifacts.

The Boyhood Home is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Admission: $10; ages 60+, $8.50; ages 6-17, $6; younger than 6, free.

In 1905, using a portion of the proceeds from the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, the general assembly appropriated $185,000 to build the present Supreme Court Building. The three-story, red-brick building opened in October 1907. It features French Renaissance architecture, stone pillars at each wing of the front facade, stone trim and a slate roof. Prominent in the lobby is a massive marble staircase. Free half-hour tours of this historic building are available during most business days. Tour times fill quickly, so please schedule your tour well in advance. Closed Saturdays, Sundays and state hoilidays.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is considered one of the top art museums in the United States. The Nelson-Atkins features one of America’s finest collections of Asian art, as well as extensive collections of American, American Indian, Egyptian, and European art.

The Steven Holl-designed Bloch Building contains galleries of contemporary and African art, photography, and special exhibits. Enjoy art outdoors at the Kansas City Sculpture Park, a collection of sculptures by many of the 20th century’s finest artists.

In the Patee House Museum, you can climb aboard an 1860 train and ride a vintage carousel—indoors. The museum houses an 1877 railroad depot; a stagecoach; automobiles; trucks; fire trucks; wagons; buggies and carriages; a horse-drawn hearse; a real gallows; a blacksmith shop; the dressmaker's shop; model railroads; antique furniture and toys; western art; and a wing designed to look like the streets of Old St. Jo in the 1860s-1880s.

Constructed in 1858 as a luxury hotel, the building has been a hotel three times; a girls college twice; the Union Army Provost Marshal's office during the Civil War; the headquarters for the Pony Express; and a shirt factory.

Admission: $6; ages 60+, $5; ages 6-17, $4.

(One block away, visit the home where the infamous outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed on April 3, 1882.)

On April 3, 1860, a lone Pony Express rider, the first of his kind, left Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph. Brave riders, carrying saddlebags filled with our nation's hopes and dreams, traveled more than 2,000 miles west to California. Today, the stables are a modern, interactive and educational tribute to the history and legend of the Pony Express. A 60-foot diorama depicts the diverse terrain of the route. Admission: $5; ages 60+, $4; ages 7-18, $3.

One of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums, containing more than 30,000 works of art. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes, and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th century German painting. The museum offers a full range of featured exhibitions, a research library, four conservation labs, a varied annual schedule of special events, and community and school programs. The museum is the only permanent building remaining from the 1904 World’s Fair. Located in Forest Park.

Closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25; the Saint Louis Art Museum also is closed on Mondays. Check website for other holiday hours.

This website offers information about the history of the Civil War in Missouri as the state prepares to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the war, which was fought 1861-1865.

Throughout the site, you'll find details about Civil War battles that took places in Missouri, such as Wilson's Creek and Pilot Knob; the people who played a significant role in the war, such as Ulysses S. Grant and Sterling Price; and resources for educators, where links to lesson plans and teacher's guides are available. Information about upcoming Civil War events around Missouri can be found on the site, which also features videos about the war and its impact on the state.

You'll also find information about Civil War-related attractions in Missouri, such as the Old Courthouse, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, and Calvary Cemetery, to name a few.

People interested in getting involved with Civil War Sesquicentennial events may use the website to submit their e-mail address if they'd like to receive more information about volunteer opportunities, as those opportunities become available.

See the site where the nation's first recorded shootout occurred and helped solidify the reputation of "Wild Bill" Hickok. A historic marker commemorating the famous 1865 shootout between “Wild Bill” Hickok and Dave Tutt has been installed at the southwest corner of the outer Square sidewalk, near the Park Central Branch Library. The plaque is a 30-by-24-inch piece of engraved aluminum with custom artwork and a description of the circumstances surrounding the duel, which began over a pocketwatch used as collateral for a gambling debt and ended in Tutt’s death. Hickok was uninjured and was acquitted of manslaughter by a jury after a three-day trial. Hickok is one of the Old West’s most enduring figures thanks to his exploits as a soldier, gambler, gunfighter, and lawman.

For forty years, this was the last courthouse between Independence and the Pacific Ocean. Harry S Truman held court here in the 1930s. Also, it served as a Mormon mercantile.

Visit Kansas City's oldest remaining brick residence located in historic Westport. The Greek Revival mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built by early Westport settlers, John and Henrietta Harris. The house stands prominately on the Battle of Westport Civil War Battlefield. In the fall of 1861, the Harris home was used as headquaters for the Union Army. The house and grounds have been restored to their 1850s appearence. Visit our website for a list of monthly living-history events. Group tours are welcome.

The dungeon-like cells of the jail housed thousands of prisoners during the bloodiest time in Jackson County's history, including Frank James and William Quantrill. An 1870s schoohouse completes the site. Closed November and January-March.

Built in 1906, this renovated and remodeled Missouri-Pacific Depot is now owned by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. It houses the Aurora Historical Society Museum, filled with memories of yesteryear of Aurora and surrounding communities.

The old historic A.L. Webb School has been transformed into a museum housing artifacts, pictures, art collection, military and school memorabilia. The museum is not wheelchair accessible. In front of the museum stands the Veteran's Memorial, honoring all military men and women. The memorial is wheelchair accessible.

Built in 1893, our beautiful Victorian house, an icon in Mexico, Missouri, was once the home of Allen Percy Green, the owner/operator of the Green Refractory, a world renown fire-brick manufacturer. All our guests receive a gormet breakfast prepared especially for them from our very own recipes; all of which have a balanced blend of flavors that are a unique break from the traditional breakfast. Our ample common areas, featuring more than 5,000 square feet of space, in addition to our hot tub and sauna, provide a place to relax after a long day of sightseeing, or traveling, and guest's surveys reflect a nearly perfect 5 out of 5 in 10 areas, representing an average of 99.7% in customer satisfaction. 

The beautiful grounds covering half an acre and stretching from the front of the house on Jefferson Street to the back entrance on Washington Street provide ample space to stretch out and have some outdoor fun. A multitude of fun things to do both within and outside the mansion provide plenty of entertainment during your visit. With five parks, six lakes and other outdoor activities such as Scattering Fork Outdoor Center, Binder's Hilltop Apple and Berry Farm, hiking trails, and fishing, Mexico offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

In addition to outdoor activities, other attractions such as Presser Hall Performing Arts Center, donated by A.P. Green to the city of Mexico, Audrain County Historical Museum Complex, The Vault Gallery and Missouri Military Academy, to name a few, provide indoor entertainment. Many more attractions and museums, such as the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City and the Winston Churchill Memorial in Fulton, are located within 45 minutes of our bed and breakfast.

While we do not accept pets, we can provide information on two different pet boarding businesses that are near our bed and breakfast.

Additionally, we can provide special packages upon request including: fresh flowers to be placed in your room prior to your arrival; chocolate dipped strawberries (in season); massage therapy; gift baskets with cheese, crackers and meat; wine baskets from a local vendor; or we can put together a picnic basket or any other special request for a special occassion. A 48-hour work-day advance notice is required in order to provide these services adequately.

This museum, in a former school, documents the history of Agency, from the 1836 Platte Purchase to the present. After the Platte Purchase, Agency Ford was a thriving community, but, slowly, flooding caused the town to nearly vanish. Open by appointment.

Hands-on environment for all ages. On display is a Cobra helicopter, a T-33 jet aircraft, Army Jeeps, trucks and other restored military equipment. Take an imaginary flight in a real Cobra helicopter. Type a message on a teletype machine. Have a personalized dog tag made. We host birthday parties. Admission: $5; ages 6-11, $3; ages 5 and younger, free.

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art houses one of the finest collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century American art in the Midwest. The museum has works by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Rembrandt Peale, Edward Hopper, and Wayne Theibaud.

The collection is housed in the original William Albrecht home, with a large addition. The museum’s gift shop offers a selection of keepsakes and children's items.

Admission: $5; age 65+, $2; younger than 18 & students, $1. Group rates offered. Closed holidays.

In 1894, this roller mill and one-room schoolhouse was the focal point of the Alley Spring community. Park rangers in period costume show you how the mill worked, and how school was taught in the one-room schoolhouse. A variety of historic programs are offered. Open June thru August.

Each of our locations provides access to Kansas City's attractions. Each location offers you free local calls, free hi-speed wireless Internet access, outdoor pool, and coin-operated laundry.

American Inns offer three locations in the Kansas City, Missouri, area: I-70 and Woods Chapel Road in Blue Springs; I-70 and Noland Road in Independence; and I-35 and Armour Road in North Kansas City. Our North Kansas City location is a full-service location featuring Spirits Restaurant and Spirit's Alibi Lounge. Should you have a meeting or reunion planned, allow us to assist you in North Kansas City or Independence in our newly renovated meeting facilities.

Located in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum showcases the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form through interactive exhibits and films, the Changing Gallery, the Blue Room jazz club and the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performing arts center. We offer education and community-based programs, traveling exhibits, live musical performances and other special events. Admission: $8; younger than 12, $3.

A fine arts museum devoted to man's best friend; home to one of the largest collections of dog art in the country. Permanent exhibits include paintings, drawings and sculptures by well known 19th- and 20th-century artists. Gift shop; All-Star Dogs Hall of Fame; and Hope A. Levy Memorial Library. Special events are held throughout the year.