Planning a Visit to the Society

Whether you are trying to fit a broken branch onto your family tree or are coming to see the wealth of art by Missourians, visiting the Society is an experience you'll never regret.

Location

The Society is on the ground floor, east side of the Elmer Ellis Library in the heart of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, east of Jesse Hall (the building with the dome) and west of Memorial Union (the Gothic tower) on Hitt Street.

How to Get to the Society

Sections of Hitt Street, Ninth Street, and Rollins Street near the Society are closed to automobile traffic on weekdays, 8:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. when the University is in session.

Please see the following:

Parking

The easiest way to find parking is to obtain a parking permit from University Parking in advance of your visit.

Garages

Closest to the Society:
  • Hitt Street Garage: Enter from Hitt Street north of University Avenue.
  • University Avenue Garage (top level): Located east of Memorial Union on University Avenue.

Bring plenty of quarters; some meters do not accept dimes or nickels

On-street, metered parking (extremely limited):

Bring plenty of quarters; some meters do not accept dimes or nickels

  • along Hitt Street east of the Society or
  • along Turner Avenue west of the Society.

Off-street, metered parking (extremely limited):

Bring plenty of quarters; some meters do not accept dimes or nickels

  • Memorial Union Visitor Lot: Located directly east of Memorial Union.

Handicapped parking

A lot just south of the Society on Hitt Street is available exclusively for handicapped parking. Map

To find this lot during the week when the MU campus is closed to automobile traffic:

  • take College to Rollins
  • turn west on Rollins
  • turn north at the intersection with Hitt.
For more information you can ask University Parking and Transportation Services, (573) 882-4568 which is located on Level 2 of the Turner Avenue parking garage. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Office of Visitor Relations at (573) 882-6333 or toll-free at 1-800-856-2181 may also be helpful.

Where to Stay

What to Eat

Other Stuff to Do

click for larger map
Map of the State Historical Society and Western Historical Manuscripts in Ellis Library
Ground floor, Ellis Library

Hours

The State Historical Society of Missouri is open:

  • Monday-Thursday, 8:00a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

The Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia is open:

  • Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Main Art Gallery is opens at 9 a.m., and closes 15 minutes before the rest of the Society.

 

Closings (subject to change)

  • Staff Meeting: Usually the second Wednesday of every month, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
  • Thanksgiving: Noon November 25 - 26, 2009
  • Christmas: Noon December 24 - 25, 2009
  • New Year Day: January 1 - 2, 2010
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 15 - 18, 2010
  • Memorial Day Weekend: May 28 - 31, 2010
  • Independence Day: July 2 - 5, 2010
  • Labor Day: September 3 - 6, 2010

Policies & Procedures

Please read our policies and procedures regarding use of the Society's facilities.


Group Visits

Any group of six or more planning to visit the Society should contact the Society in advance to determine a mutually satisfactory date.