The Missouri History Museum: An Engaging Education in Forest Park
St. Louis and Missouri both enjoy a rich history, and in ways even many lifetime Missourians don’t fully appreciate. I’ve lived my whole life here — heck, I’m a direct descendant of STL founder Pierre Laclede — and I have a degree in history … and it’s only been in recent years that I’ve even scratched the surface on all that makes this area what it is.
There are few better ways to dive into that history than the Missouri History Museum, which is operated by the Missouri Historical Society. Not only is it a gorgeous multimedia presentation of all things STL and MO, but it is, like many other things in Forest Park, free.
Getting There
The Missouri History Museum (Google Maps link) sits on the north-central section of Forest Park, right at the intersection of Lindell Blvd. and DeBaliviere Ave. For most travelers, the easiest way to get there is to take I-64 to I-170 North, then take Forest Park Parkway east until you get to DeBaliviere, which has a light. Turn right on DeBaliviere and you’ll be shortly staring right at the museum.
Alternatively, you can take I-64 to one of the Forest Park exits, like McCausland or Hampton, and weave your way north.
Parking
There are two parking lots in the immediate vicinity of the museum: the West Lot and the East Lot. Both lots are free. Keep in mind, though, that the lots are not huge and can fill up quickly on certain days, or they may be restricted for one reason or another.
If you’re willing to walk a little, the Visitor’s Center Lot (Google Maps link) is about a five-minute walk from the museum. It’s a large lot that rarely fills up, even on busy days, making it a great option if you can’t get a spot in the museum lots. The Visitor’s Center Lot, like the museum lots, is free. You can also find parallel parking spots throughout Forest Park, including on the roads between the museum and the Visitor’s Center Lot.
If you don’t have a car, the museum is just a short walk south from the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Metrolink station.
Costs and Considerations
The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is closed on Monday.
You can access all parts of the museum for free. If you’re looking to spend, there is a cafe where you can buy food and a gift shop, renovated in 2024, where you can buy souvenirs.
Things to Do
The museum maintains a collection of various exhibits in different halls. Some of the exhibits are continuing, meaning they run for the foreseeable future. Others are rotating, running anywhere from months to years. On the second floor, for instance, are halls devoted to the full history of St. Louis going back to the 1700s and ending in the 20th century. (The second floor is currently closed for renovations.) Another continuing exhibit on the first floor, revamped in 2024, showcases the 1904 World’s Fair. Still another exhibit is the History Clubhouse on the first floor for younger patrons.
Other exhibits rotate over time. Past rotating exhibits include History Made (on the St. Louis Blues winning the Stanley Cup in 2019), Muny Memories, Route 66, Where Did You Go to High School?, and World War I.
As mentioned before, you can also peruse the cafe, which sells a selection of food and drink. The gift shop, meanwhile, stocks items related to St. Louis history and culture, including clothing and books.
Our Thoughts
We’ve visited the Missouri History Museum a number of times over the years, patronizing both the continuing and rotating exhibits. We’ve learned something new each and every time. The continuing exhibits are so meticulous that it’s just about impossible to soak in all the knowledge, so coming back and seeing them again is a new experience in its own way. The rotating exhibits are always a treat, sometimes spurring interest in the most unlikely of subjects.
As a free museum, it’s one of many gems in the constellation of activities in Forest Park, and it’s a must-visit for any St. Louisan, or anyone interested in St. Louis and Missouri history.
