Grand opening:10-2, Saturday, Aug. 10, Columbia

Saturday will mark a once in a lifetime event.

The Center for Missouri Studies, a $35 million building, will open with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. There will be limited seating for this event, but room to stand in Peace Park.

Following the ceremony, until 2 p.m. the building will be open to the public to tour the 76,000 square foot center. Light refreshments and music will be on hand.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • 605 Elm St.
  • Parking – free in the city parking garage at Sixth and Cherry, the Mizzou Lot RC19 at Sixth and Cherry and at city parking meters on the streets surrounding the Center of Missouri Studies.
  • Parking on the north side of the Center is reserved for accessible and VIP parking.

Can’t attend?

Darn it! But the good news is this grand opening means that the Columbia Research Center of the State Historical Society is open again for research and viewing of the SHS’s art.  It will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Tuesday-Friday and 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Why is this important?

This Center is the headquarters for the State Historical Society of Missouri. Prior to moving to this building, this state history repository was housed in the basement of Ellis Library, a cramped, warren-like space that few could find and even fewer could learn to love. (No one brags about living in a basement, right?)

What’s there? 

Founded in 1898, the grand opening will take place on the 198th anniversary of the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHMO) organization. Its “mission is to promote and disseminate the study of the state’s history and culture,” according to its website.

Among its materials are these collections:

  • Newspapers from 1808
  • 12,000 Civil War manuscripts
  • 58,000 reels of microfilm
  • 44 historic map cabinets
  • family papers and letters
  • 30,000 pieces of art including works by Thomas Hart Benton and George Caleb Bingham

News Coverage: Here are links to some recent reports about the Center

Who can use these items?

Anyone. The SHSMO has staff who can help you find what you need. The SHSMO also has signification resources available online.

Here’s a photo from the digital collection. It pictures a no demolished movie theatre on North Eighth Street. According to the State Historical Society of Missouri records, this photograph is dated 1958-1963.

Boone Theatre, North Eighth Street, Columbia, Missouri.
Boone Theatre, 1958-1963, from Collection C3902 of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

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