The permanent exhibits focus on American Indian cultures from across North America, and on Missouri history from 9,200 B.C. to the present. On the campus of the University of Missouri. Free admission.

This 1916 depot houses historical exhibits of southeast Missouri and national significance. It is the site of monthly art and cultural events. Admission is free.

This 1870s cabin contains photographs, relics, memorabilia, rustic furniture, plus items from the old Wabash Railroad depot. Open May through September.

The Center commemorates the life of community founder Louis Lorimier and the early Cape Girardeau District as well as the 1803 visit of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. A rendering of Lorimier's trading post displays 19th century items listed in Lorimier's actual warehouse inventory list. Special tours scheduled upon request.

The St. Joseph Fire Museum contains a collection of historical firefighting equipment that has been used to protect the residents in St. Joseph for more than 140 years. Much of the collection is restored to original condition, including fire trucks.

Permanent displays cover 400 years of psychiatric history. Exhibits include: the Bath of Surprise; O'Halloran's Swing; the Tranquilizer Chair; and the Hollow Wheel. Some exhibits display memorabilia from the hospital's history, including hospital furnishings, farming equipment (the psychiatric hospital use to have a working farm), surgical equipment, treatment equipment, a collection of patient art, and information on some unusual phobias. Admission: $5; Ages 62+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

Exhibits within this museum cover the musicians who made an impact on the music industry, desegregation, education and other aspects of African-American history in St. Joseph. The museum includes the area's African-American Hall of Fame. Admission: $5; Ages 62+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

Tour this 1879 Victorian Gothic sandstone mansion, which illustrates the cultural and economic history of 19th century St. Joseph. Interior features include oil-on-canvas ceilings and walnut woodwork. Exhibits include natural history and personal belongings of Jesse James. Admission: $4; Ages 7-18, $2.

The Albrecht-Kemper houses one of the Midwest's finest collections of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century art. It includes more than 3,000 pieces. Art classes are offered. Cafe lunch is available Wed.-Thu., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Meeting and dining facilities available. Admission: $5; Ages 60+, $2; younger than 19, $1.

St. Joseph history entwines with this 1859 building, which now is a museum. Steamboat captains, overland freighters, Pony Express riders, fur traders, gold miners, and Jesse James all conducted business here. Ornately carved oak woodwork, cast-iron pillars, stained glass, and a vault reinforced with railroad rails are a few of the features of the building. Guided tours available on request. Admission, $4; ages 7-18 $2.

More than 2,000 exhibits honor those who served in all branches of the U.S. military. Sculptures, murals, historic artifacts, art and 1000s of memorabilia covering WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and other 20th Century conflicts. The walls of the museum are lined with more than 500,000 names of those killed in action from WWII and forward. The museum hosts one of the the world's largest war memorial bronze sculptures: 50 life-size soldiers storming a beach, each statue was modeled after an actual combat soldier from each of the 50 states. Many of the exhibits contain unique artifacts and recount personal stories from our veterans. This is an educational as well as emotional experience for many.

Admission: $15; ages 13-17, $10; ages 6-12, $5; family pass for mom, dad, and all the children 17 and under is $37.

Museum featuring the Battle of Carthage and the Civil War in Missouri.

The 1891 Calaboose (jail) is the oldest existing structure owned by the City of Springfield. Restored in 1999, it is used as a police substation. There is a police museum on the first floor. Tours of the building and the police museum are offered on weekdays by appointment only; minimum of two days notice required.

This museum serves as a tribute to all branches of the armed forces, along with those serving the homefront, and their contributions to our country. Exhibits include military vehicles, uniforms, gear, tools and equipment. The 1890 brick building, designed by architect Harvey Ellis, was St. Joseph's first police station. Admission: $2; younger than 18, 50 cents.

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.

Collections span seven millennia, covering six continents. Galleries include ancient European, American art, modern art and special exhibitions. Closed Christmas Day through New Years Day, and all University holidays. Located in Pickard Hall.

The circa 1838 courthouse was the site of the 1870 Old Drum trial, famous for George Graham Vest's closing argument, known as Tribute to a Dog. The oratory is said to be the origin of the phrase "a dog is a man's best friend." Tours offered. A one-room school and the Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library and Johnson County Museum are adjacent. Admission: $3.

Robidoux Row Museum is made up of several living units, which were rented by early settlers as they passed through St. Joseph. Built in the 1840s by Joseph Robidoux, the city's founder, the units met the needs for temporary housing during the pioneer era of the Westward Expansion. The St. Joseph Historical Society restored the building. Robidoux Row includes exhibits featuring the Robidoux family history, early St. Joseph history, as well as several rooms restored to illustrate their original purpose. Many rooms are furnished with Robidoux family possesions. Admission: $2.50; Ages 62+, $2; Ages 6-18, $1.

Family homestead of Rose O'Neill, artist, writer and creator of the Kewpies. Tours of museum, gallery and reconstructed Victorian home are offered. Reduced rates for groups of 10 or more. Children are welcome. Gift shop and parking for 50+ vehicles at visitor center. Free admission every day for walking trails, picnic area, outdoor sculpture, and historic cemetery. From Branson, eight miles north on Route 65, turn right onto Rose O’Neill Road; from Springfield, 25 miles south on Route 65, turn left onto Rose O’Neill Road. On the National Register of Historic Places. Admission: $7; younger than 13, free.

The museum, including two circa 1800 log cabins, holds more than 6,000 pieces of antique farm equipment, and a 5,000-square-foot antique store. Admission: $6.

This beautiful 1858 house has been fully restored. We take a unique, hands-on approach to tours and events. Regular events include living history, candlelight tours and ghost tours.

Built in 1852, the Old Stagecoach Stop is a 10-room museum. Each room has been restored to a different use or era in the building's history. The facility has been a stage stop and tavern on the Wire Road between St. Louis and Springfield; a hospital during the Civil War; a hotel; a dentist’s office; and a boarding house for workers building Fort Leonard Wood in 1941. Tour guides reveal the history of the building, which tells much of the story of the growth and development of Pulaski County. Open April-September; other times by appointment only. The museum is hosting the Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibition "Journey Stories" from Oct. 2-Nov. 13, 2010. Special events each Saturday during the exhibition.

The Bushwhacker Museum and Jail is a regional history study center that serves as a repository of more than 150 years of Vernon County History. Visitors experience for themselves the cell room of medieval malevolence in the circa 1860 stone jail and the restored sheriff's home. The Bushwhacker Museum, housed in a renovatd 1920s garage and Ford agency, offers exhibits on the history and heritage of the region. Learn why the first inhabitants welcomed the first white settlers and eventually left the region. Discover why Nevada was called The Bushwhacker Capital by Federal troops during the Civil War and how the community survived and eventually thrived. Find out what life was like for the POWs at Camp Clark during WWII. Open May-October; Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5; Ages 12-17, $2; Younger than 12, $1.