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 Manuscripts Collection in Ellis Library
Located on the ground floor of Ellis Library

Hours


    Cape Girardeau
    Research Center
    Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

    Columbia
    Research Center & Administrative Offices
    Tuesday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
    Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Main Art Gallery
    Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
    Columbia Research Center and galleries are closed on Mondays

    Kansas City
    Research Center
    Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Rolla
    Research Center
    Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

    Springfield
    Requested Materials Available
    Fourth Wednesday of each month 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    Requests must be made at least one week in advance—by the third Wednesday of each month.

    St. Louis
    Research Center
    Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Holiday Closings (subject to change)

  • New Year Day: January 1, 2013
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 19 - 21, 2013
  • Memorial Day Weekend: May 25 - 27, 2013
  • Independence Day: July 4, 2013
  • Labor Day: August 31 - September 2, 2013
  • Thanksgiving: Noon November 27 - December 1, 2013
  • Christmas: December 23 - 25, 2013

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.