Pioneer Museum
11 Herren St., Ellsinore, Mo., 573-322-0102.
Museum houses local history and genealogy collections focusing on pioneer life and chores. Demonstrations of spinning, 4-harness looming and basketry are often held and a gift shop is on site.
Carter County Historical
Society Log Cabin
Van Buren, Mo. (Courthouse Square) 573-323-4708
Features a hand-hewed log cabin from 1851 that was reconstructed and furnished with 1850s antiques.
Hidden Log Cabin Museum
305 W. John St., Van Buren, Mo. 573-323-4563.
Living history museums that is a covered log cabin from 1872. Ozark history lessons are provided on site.
Current River Heritage Museum
101 Washington St., Doniphan, Mo. 573-996-5298.
The museum includes artifacts pertaining to Ripley County and Missouri history including life in river valley, the world's largest sawmill, Civil War history and a one room school, and it is the headquarters of the Ripley County Historical Society. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Stars and Stripes Museum
Near Bloomfield, Mo., on Highway 25. On Nov. 9, 1861, 10 Illinois Union soldiers, using the vacated press of the Bloomfield Herald, published the first "Stars and Stripes," which they named after the American flag. One of the original copies of that 1861 paper is now owned by the Stoddard County Historical Society. The history of the publication and the military lives it touched are being preserved at the Stars and Stripes Museum/Library.
Pioneer Heritage Homestead
Off Courthouse square in Doniphan, Mo. - 573-996-5298. The homestead includes the Tom Kennon Blacksmith Shop, which is open until noon on Saturday and special occasions. The Pioneer Log Cabin museum and Pioneer Log Barn are also on site. Tours scheduled by calling.
Margaret Harwell Art Museum
421 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 573-686-8002. The museum owes its existence to the generosity of its namesake and benefactor, the late Margaret Harwell - an amateur artist, businesswoman and civic leader. When she died in 1977, Mrs. Harwell left part of her estate to the City of Poplar Bluff to establish a center for art classes and exhibits. The MHAM building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Poplar Bluff
Historical Museum
1010 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 573-785-2220.
Originally an old school building, the Poplar Bluff Historical Museum now houses information on the history of Poplar Bluff and Butler County as well as features displays on public schools, bowling/golf, Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame and area veterans.
MOARK Regional
Railroad Museum
303 Moran St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 573-785-4539.
Dedicated to preserving the railroad history of southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, the museum features seven railroads' histories and is open year round on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. (excluding holidays). Special arrangements may be made for large groups by calling. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Epps-Houts Museum
1540 County Road 451, Poplar Bluff, Mo. 573-785-2734
Artwork and sculptures from various countries are featured at the Epps-Houts Museum. Paintings, artifacts and carvings from South Korea, Saudi Arabia and all of the southern parts of Africa are a few examples of what is featured.
Fort Benton
Near Patterson, Mo. Contact Wayne County Historical Society for information: 573-223-7130.
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites, the Fort was part of a ferocious battle during the Civil War. It features earthen walls and trenches in a park-like setting. Events are planned annually at the fort and the original campgrounds to commemorate its history and its part in the Civil War.
Berry-Glenn
Historical Museum
302 S. Route 51, Puxico, Mo. 573-222-6951.
Located in the historic 1904 Frisco Railroad depot, the museum focuses on Puxico and the surrounding area's history through newspapers, photographs and other artifacts. A large red caboose makes the depot easy to find.
Bootheel Youth Museum
700A N. Douglas, Malden, Mo. 573-276-3600
The Bootheel Youth Museum, "Southeast Missouri's Hands-on Discovery Place" is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. It is a National Medal for Museum and Library Service winner, and its focus is to "foster an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and an insatiable curiosity about life." The 22,000 square-foot exhibit hall features activities and interactive exhibits geared towards kids.
Bollinger County Museum of Natural History
207 Mayfield Drive, Marble Hill, Mo.
Dinosaur artifacts from a local dinosaur dig can be found here. Also featured at the museum are American Indian Artifacts, Will Mayfield artifacts and alternating regional exhibits of historical significance.
Reynolds County Museum, Genealogy
and Historical Society
233 S. Second St., Ellington, Mo. 573-663-3233
The museum holds artifacts that tell the story of Reynolds County. It also features a research library with more than 1,500 volumes pertaining to the area.
The Log Cabin Library
201 Hickman St., Puxico, Mo. 573-222-3855
The Log Cabin Library is an original log construction that is still in use as Puxico's Library. It has been used as the library building since the late 1930s. It is the state's only operating library housed in a log cabin.
Wheatley School and Black History Museum
921 Garfield St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 573-785-4539
Built in 1928 to meet the needs of Poplar Bluff's African American community and named in honor of well known poet Phillis Wheatley, Wheatley School served as the only school housing African American students in the city until integration in 1958.