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 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. when the University is in session.

Please see the following:

Parking

Parking near the Society is extremely limited.

On-street, metered parking may be available:
  • along Hitt Street east of the Society or
  • along Turner Avenue west of the Society.
Off-street, metered parking closest to the Society:
  • Hitt Street Garage: Enter from Hitt Street north of University Avenue.
  • Memorial Union Visitor Lot: Located directly east of Memorial Union.
  • 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

Temporary parking permits are available from 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. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The staff there will tell you where you are allowed to park.

Handicapped parking

Handicapped Parking

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

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.
  • Map

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. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The staff there will tell you where you are allowed to park.

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 and the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia are open the following hours:

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

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

 

Closings (subject to change)

  • Staff Meeting: Second Wednesday of Every Month, 8:00-9:00am
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 17 - 19, 2009
  • Memorial Day Weekend: May 23 - 25, 2009
  • Independence Day: July 3 - 4, 2009
  • Labor Day: September 5 - 7, 2009
  • Thanksgiving: Noon November 25 - 28, 2009
  • Christmas: Noon December 24 - 26, 2009
  • New Year Day: January 1, 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.