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. Metered parking may be available along Hitt Street east of the Society. (Bring plenty of quarters; some meters do not accept dimes or nickels)

Otherwise there are several options:

Closest to the Society:

  • Hitt Street Garage: Enter from Hitt Street north of University Avenue. Meters are available for $.60 for 75 minutes.
  • Memorial Union Visitor Lot: Located directly east of Memorial Union. Enter from University Avenue 10 one-hour meters are available for $.75 an hour. Temporary or visitor permits are not valid in this lot.
  • University Avenue Garage (top level): Located east of Memorial Union on University Avenue. Public meters are located on the top level for $.60 for 75 minutes. Permits are required for parking spaces without meters.

Temporary parking permits are available for $2.50 a day or $7.50 a week at University Parking and Transportation Services, 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. Spaces with coin-operated meters also are available. The staff there will tell you where you are allowed to park.

Visitor Parking Locations

  • Turner Avenue Garage (2 blocks west of the library) Enter the garage from Conley Avenue or Turner Avenue (east entrance). You will be on the third level, which is metered for visitor parking. If the space does not have a number, it is a reserved space requiring a permit.
    Each visitor space is numbered. Park in any numbered space and note the number. Fee machines are located at each stair tower. At the machine:
    1. Enter the space number where you parked
    2. Insert nickels, dimes or quarters for the amount of time you wish
    3. Press the green button
    4. Take the receipt, which shows the space number, amount paid and time permitted
    5. Keep your receipt
  • Virginia Avenue Meters (east of Virginia Avenue garage): Metered parking is available for $.60 for 75 minutes, and is enforced Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Lot CG17: Located at the corner of Rollins and Maryland. Meters are available for $.75 per hour and are enforced Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Staff parking lots:
    On Saturdays and after 5:00 p.m. during the week, visitors can park free in some faculty/staff lots. Please read the signs at lot entrances and any signs at specific spaces.
  • The closest such lot is located across Hitt Street from the Society, behind McKee Gymnasium and Read Hall.

Beware of Restrictions on individual Parking Lots

  • Some lots near Faurot Field are restricted on home football game weekends.
  • Parking restrictions at the Maryland Avenue garage and Staff lot CG15 are enforced 24 hours, seven days a week.
  • Levels 4 and above in the Hitt Street garage and Virginia Avenue garage are also enforced 24 hours, seven days a week.
  • Residence hall lots: Parking is restricted at all times and assigned parking permits are required. Violators may be ticketed and/or towed.

If you have any questions regarding visitor parking, contact the University Parking and Transportation Services at 573-882-4568 or the Office of Visitor Relations at 573-882-6333 or toll-free at 1-800-856-2181.

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-Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., and Saturday, 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. The Society is closed on Sunday.

Closings (subject to change)

  • Staff Meeting: Second Wednesday of Every Month, 8:00-9:00am
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 19-21, 2008
  • Memorial Day Weekend: May 24-26, 2008
  • Independence Day: July 4-6, 2008
  • Labor Day: August 30-September 1, 2008
  • Society's Annual Meeting: November 1, 2008
  • Thanksgiving: November 27-30, 2008
  • Christmas: December 25, 2008
  • New Year Day: January 1, 2009

Policies & Procedures

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


Where to Stay

What to Eat

Other Stuff to Do

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.