Missouri Civil War Museum

   Under the Missouri Compromise of 1820 states would be admitted into the Union in pairs – one free and one slave thus both Maine and Missouri got statehood status in 1820. All states above the Mason Dixon line would be free; all states below the line would allow slavery, however, when it came time to make Kansas and Nebraska states both were above the Mason Dixon line. The Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854  repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed the citizens of each state to vote for freedom or slavery. The act further divided the nation and pushed it closer to civil war.

    During the Civil War Missouri was one of the border states- states that condoned slavery but did not leave the Union - and for a while it even had two rival governments.  Anti-slavery "Free-Staters" from Kansas and pro-slavery "Border Ruffians" from Missouri crossed into their neighboring state to raid, fight, and kill each other. The museum gives a broad overview of the buildup to the war and explores different aspects of life during the war for both soldiers and civilians. Short videos fill in the gaps left by the exhibits which contain many artifacts but fall a little short on information.

   The museum is accessible.

   The parking lot is large enough for RVs but has just one entrance/exit. Visitors who are towing may wish to park along one of the side streets. Museum 38.50619, -90.28419