Historic House Museums in Missouri

We try to keep this list of historic house museums for Missouri current, but it is best to check directly with the museums for their hours and other information. If you know of a historic house museum in Missouri that should be listed here, please use our submission form to let us know about it.

Arrow Rock

Arrow Rock State Historic Site

The site preserves a town that was founded in 1829 and includes the George C. Bingham House and the Dr. Matthew Hall House.

Tours Mon-Sat 10:30 & 1:30, Sun 1:30, Memorial Day-Labor Day • 3 blocks north of SR 41 • (660) 837-3330

Cape Girardeau

Glenn House

Built in 1883, the two story house features period furnishings, 12 foot high stenciled ceilings, and displays on the steamboat era on the Mississippi

Open Sat-Sun 1-4, May-Oct or by appointment • 325 Spanish St. • (573) 335-1631

Clayton

Hanley House

Furnished in the period of 1860-1890, the eight room Greek Revival farmhouse features wallpapers that duplicate the originals or are authentic to the period. The house also has examples of original wood graining.

Open Sat 1-4 • 7600 Westmoreland St. • (314) 290-8516

Crestwood

Sappington House Complex

A fine example of the Federal style, the two story brick home was built in 1808. A library and barn are also on the grounds.

Open Tue-Fri 11-2:45, Sat 12-2:45 • 1015 S. Sappington Rd. • (314) 822-7181

Defiance

Daniel Boone Home

The stone house was built between 1803 and 1810 and Daniel Boone lived there until his death in 1820.

See their web site for hours • 5 miles west on County F • (636) 798-2005

Florissant

The Taille de Noyer House

Starting life as a simple cabin in 1790, the house has been expanded several times to reach maturity as a 23 room mansion.

Open Sun 1-5 • 1 Taille de Noyer Dr. (reached via a driveway on the McLure High School campus at 1896 S. Florissant Rd. • (314) 839-3626

Hannibal

Mark Twain's Boyhood Home and Museum

The home was built by Samuel Clemen's father in 1843, and Samuel lived there between the ages of 7 and 18. The restored home is decorated with period furnishings.

See their web site for hours • 208 Hill St. • (573) 221-9010

Rockcliffe Mansion

One of the finest river estates in the country, the restored 1898 mansion was built by a lumber magnate. The 30 room mansion features an art deco interior.

Open daily 9:30-5 • 1000 Bird St. • (573) 221-4140 or (877) 423-4140

Independence

Bingham-Waggoner Estate

Built in 1855, the 22 room mansion was the home of artist George Caleb Bingham from 1864 to 1870. In 1879 the Waggoner family purchased the estate. During the 1890s the house was extensively remodeled and it is being restored to that period.

Open Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 Apr-Oct and Nov 25 to Dec 30 (closed Dec 23-25) • 313 W. Pacific • (816) 461-3491

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site

The Victorian House was the home of President and Mrs. Truman from their marriage in 1919 to their deaths. The house still contains their furnishings and other possessions. Tours are conducted every 15 minutes and each tour can only accommodate 8 people. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis beginning at 8:30 each day for that day's tours. Visitors must sign for their own ticket in person.

See their web site for hours • 219 N. Delaware St. • (816) 254-9929

Vaile Mansion

The 30 room mansion of Harvey Merrick Vaile was described as "the most princely house and the most comfortable home in the entire west" during its construction in the early 1880s. Besides elaborate architectural details and frescos, the house boasted such novel amenities as gas, water works and a wine cellar with a capacity of nearly 48,000 gallons. The downstairs parlors and second floor bedrooms have been restored and furnished in period. Other restoration work is still in progress.

Open Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 Apr-Oct • 1500 N. Liberty • (816) 325-7111

Jefferson City

Cole County Historical Society Museum

The 1871 rowhouse built by Gov. B. Gratz Brown contains period furniture from historic homes in Cole County and exibits of inaugural ball gowns worn by many of the state's first ladies.

Open Tue 10:30-3:30, Wed-Sat 12-3:30 • 109 Madison St. • (573) 635-1850

Kansas City

John Wornall House

A restored Greek Revival plantation house is furnished in period and includes a formal herb garden on the grounds.

Open Tue-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4, Feb-Dec • 61st Ter. & Wornall Rd. • (816) 444-1858

Kansas City Museum of History and Science

The 72 room Corinthian Hall was built by lumber king R.A. Long. The mansion now houses a museum with exhibits relating to life on the plains and Kansas City's role in the Westward Expansion.

Open Tue-Sat 9:30-4:30, Sun 12-4:30 • 3218 Gladstone Blvd. • (816) 460-2020

Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio State Historic Site

Thomas Hart Benton was one of Missouri's most noted artists from 1937 until his death in 1975. His Victorian house and carriage house studio contain many of his belongings.

Open Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-5 in summer; Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 11-4 in winter • 3616 Belleview Ave. • (816) 931-5722

Kearney

Jesse James Farm

Outlaw Jesse James was born in this house in 1847. The house contains many original furniture pieces. The admission also allows you to tour the 1858 Claybrook House which is being restored.

Open Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun 12-4 • 21216 James Farm Road • (816) 628-6065

Laclede

Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historical Site

The house is a shrine to the leader of America's forces in World War I and is furnished with antiques and personal belongings.

See their web site for hours • 1100 Pershing Drive • (660) 963-2525

Lamar

Harry S. Truman Birthplace State Historic Site

The restored birthplace of President Truman.

Open Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4 • Truman Ave & 11th St. • (417) 682-2279

Lawson

Watkins Mill

This is a National Historic Site and a little-known historic treasure! Includes an in-tact woolen mill, home and state-run historical museum.

See their web site for hours • 26600 Park Road North • (816) 580-3387

Lexington

Battle of Lexington State Historic Site

The Anderson House was used as a field hospital during the Civil War "Battle of the Hemp Bales." The war torn house is preserved with period furniture.

Open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5, Memorial Day-Labor Day; Wed-Sat 9-5, Sun 11:30-5 rest of the year • 1300 North John Shea Dr. • (660) 259-4654

Mansfield

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her Little House books while living here. The museum displays memorabilia relating to Laura and her daughter, Rose who was also a distinguished author.

Open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 12:30-5:30 Mar to mid-Nov • 3068 Highway A • (417) 924-3626

Mexico

Audrain County Historical Society and American Saddle Horse Museum

Graceland was built in 1857 and the second owner, Colby T. Quisenberry, brought the first blooded horses into Audrain County from Kentucky. Rooms are furnished in period and a collection of wedding dresses and dolls.

Open Tue-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 • 501 Muldrow St. • (573) 581-3910

New Madrid

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site

William and Amanda Hunter ran successful family enterprises in the thriving Mississippi River town of New Madrid, including a dry goods store and a floating store used to peddle goods to other towns. In 1859, they began planning their home, which took nearly a year to complete. William died before the house was complete, but Amanda and her seven children moved into the house in 1860-61. Today, visitors can take guided tours of the home, which is restored to the 1860-1880 period and features nine fireplaces. Most of the original furnishings purchased by Amanda Hunter remain, including a large collection of Mitchell and Rammelsberg furniture.

See their web site for hours • Dawson Rd. just east of Main St. • (573) 748-5340

St. Charles

Newbill-McElhiney House Museum

The 1883 Federal Style residence has furnishings dating from the Civil War era.

Open Tue & Thu 11:30, 12:30 & 1:30 • 625 S. Main St. • (636) 925-0745

St. Genevieve

Amoureaux House

Built in 1785, it is one of the oldest Creole houses in existence. Silver, china, glass, antique dolls and toys are displayed.

Open daily 10-5, Mar 1-Dec 24 • .5 miles east of US 61 on St. Mary's Rd. • (573) 883-5744

Bolduc House

Built in 1770 by Louis Bolduc, a wealthy merchant, planter and lead miner, it is one of the few remaining French Colonial Mississippi Valley homes. Some of the rooms are notable for they display French-Canadien furniture.

Open Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 11-5 Apr-Oct • 123 South Main Street • (573) 883-3105

Bolduc-LeMeilleur House

Built about 1820 by the grandson of Louis Bolduc, the restored house shows both French and American influences.

Open Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5 • 121 South Main Street. • (573) 883-3105

Felix Valle Home State Historic Site

This Federal style home was built in 1818, using local ashlar stone. It has two entrances, one for the home, and one for the businesses that various owners ran. The house is furnished in period.

See their web site for hours • Second & Merchant Sts. • (573) 883-7102

Guibourd-Valle House

Jacques Jean Rene Guibourd built this house in 1785. Constructed using vertical logs and hand-hewn oak beams secured by wooden pegs, the house has been contains with elegant 18th and 19th century furnishings. Tours are conducted by costumed guides.

Open daily 10-5 Apr-Oct; daily 12-4 Nov-Dec 19 • 1 N. 4th St. • (573) 883-7544

St. Joseph

Albrecht Art Museum

The Alrecht Mansion now houses a museum displaying American art of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Open Tue-Fri 10-4, Sat-Sun 1-4 • 2818 Frederick Blvd. • (816) 233-7003

Jesse James Home

The famous outlaw's residence has been restored and features original and period furnishings. Jesse was murdered in this home by members of his own gang, and one wall still contains a bullet hole from that incident.

Open Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5 Apr-Oct • 12th & Penn Sts. • (816) 232-3717

Robidoux Row

This row of buildings was built by city founder Joseph Robioux as temporary housing for newly arrived settlers. Four restored units remain of the building's original seven connected houses, and they are furnished with original and period pieces.

Call for hours • Third & Poulin Sts. • (816) 232-5861

St. Joseph Museum

Housed in the 1879 Wyeth-Tootle mansion, the museum features exhibits on American Indian materials, vertebrate natural history, St. Joseph history, and the Civil War and Victorian periods.

Open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 2-5, Apr-Sep; Tue-Sat 1-5, Sun 2-5 rest of year • 11th & Charles Sts. • (816) 232-8471

St. Louis

Campbell House

The former residence of Robert Campbell, a prosperous fur trader, now houses exhibits on the early history of St. Louis and its fur trading days, as well as rooms with original and period furnishings, and displays of gowns from 1850 to 1870.

Open Wed-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4; By appt in Jan-Feb • 15th & Locust Sts. • (314) 421-0325

Chatillon-DeMenil House

Built about 1848, this three story Greek Revival mansion features orignal furnishings and wallpapers from France.

Open Tue-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-5 • 3352 DeMenil Pl. • (314) 771-5828

Cupples House and McNamee Art Gallery

Built by Samuel Cupples in 1890 at a cost of $500,000, the 42 room Romaneque mansion is constructed out of intricately carved sandstone and granite. The interior features paneling of exotic woods, parquet floors, Tiffany stained glass, and St. Louis ironwork. The house is furnished with period pieces. The former bowling alley now serves as an art gallery.

Open Tue-Sat 11-4, Mon by appt. • Frost Campus of Saint Louis University • (314) 977-3575

Daniel Bissell House

Surrounded by beautiful grounds, the home contains furnishings from 1812-1850. The house was built 1814-1816.

Open Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5 • 10225 Bellefontaine Rd. • (636) 532-7298

Eugene Field House and Toy Museum

This home, built in 1845, was the birthplace of children's poet Eugene field. It contains furnishings, toys, and his manuscripts and memorabilia.

Open Wed-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4; Mon & Tue by appt, Jan & Feb by appt. • 634 S. Broadway • (314) 421-4689

Missouri Botanical Garden

Located on the garden property is the 1849 Tower Grove House. The restored house was the residence of Henry Shaw, who founded the garden in 1858. The house features period furnishings, utensils, and clothing.

Open daily 9-5 • 4344 Shaw Blvd. • (314) 577-9400 or (800) 642-8842

Sedalia

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site

Built in four stages from 1897 to 1928, this home was the country retreat of lawyer and businessman John Homer Bothwell. The home is furnished much as it was when he died in 1929.

See their web site for hours • 6 miles north on US 65 in Bothwell State Park • (660) 827-0510