Missouri Civil War Museum

Missouri Civil War Museum The Missouri Civil War Museum complex is a 22,000 square-foot Civil War museum and library facility located at the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site in St.
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Located at historic Jefferson Barracks, the Missouri Civil War Museum is the largest Civil War museum west of the Mississippi River and tells the story of our state's role in America's most defining conflict. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2002, this grassroots 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization is responsible for saving several historic structures and adapting their reuse for the publi

c good. The museum opened for the first time to the public on June 29, 2013. Be part of something special by getting involved today and contributing to this worthwhile cause. Come help us make history today, while we try to save history for tomorrow!

Are you a student looking for a fall semester internship? Consider the Missouri Civil War Museum! We offer internships f...
09/04/2026

Are you a student looking for a fall semester internship? Consider the Missouri Civil War Museum! We offer internships focused on historic site maintenance, building restoration, and guest relations. We are especially looking for those with experience in historic preservation, construction, and video production. If you are interested, please give the museum a call at (314) 845-1861 today!

As the summer comes to a close, we would like to provide some important museum updates!- On September 23, we will hold a...
09/02/2026

As the summer comes to a close, we would like to provide some important museum updates!
- On September 23, we will hold another Volunteer Landscaping Day at the museum! From 8:00 to 11:30, MCWM staff and volunteers will be weeding, mulching, and trimming the museum grounds. Anyone willing to come help is encouraged to call (314) 845-1861, and drinks, snacks, and lunch will be provided for all volunteers!
- We are currently putting the finishing touches on the back porch roof of the 1918 Building! Over a decade of restoration has taken place to turn this once run-down Army building into a premier event venue available for celebrations of life, family gatherings, meetings, and more. We hope to have this project concluded by the end of this year.
- The MCWM Trivia Night on October 23rd is now fully booked! If you would like to be put on a waitlist in the event of a table cancellation, please call the front desk at (314) 845-1861. We are so excited for what will be a fun evening to celebrate Jefferson Barracks’ birthday.
- On Saturday, October 24th, there will be a bicentennial commemorative event at Jefferson Barracks involving our museum, Jefferson Barracks Park, and the Missouri National Guard! More details will be soon to come.

For more information on hours, exhibits, and events, please visit mcwm.org

Our eighth site for “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is the Sylvan Springs Garden. In 1826, soldiers of the 1st Infantry...
09/01/2026

Our eighth site for “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is the Sylvan Springs Garden. In 1826, soldiers of the 1st Infantry Regiment set up camp here at Sylvan Springs to begin work on the construction of the Jefferson Barracks. The spring provided clean drinking water, a necessity for the numerous soldiers who would call Jefferson Barracks home throughout the nineteenth century. In the 1930s, Jefferson Barracks was also home to a camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps. With the help of the CCC, the 6th Infantry Regiment constructed this grotto-like garden at the spring in 1939 as a place for entertainment and picnics, close to new ball fields and an amphitheater. The spring water still flows through the stone garden today, winding around the dance floor, barbecue pits, and pulpit. This garden is currently part of Sylvan Springs Park, which has remained as a recreational site to this day.

The seventh installment of “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is on the 1884 Mess Hall. The oldest building standing in th...
08/28/2026

The seventh installment of “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is on the 1884 Mess Hall. The oldest building standing in the core of the military post, the Mess Hall was the one of first new brick buildings constructed as part of an effort to rebuild Jefferson Barracks to modern standards. The one-story building originally had arched windows, multiple entranceways, and a metal roof and served as the dining facility for soldiers stationed here. In the 1930s, alterations were made to the Mess Hall when it was converted into the main post exchange for Jefferson Barracks. In the 1990s, the building again underwent significant renovation and has since been used for offices of the Missouri Air National Guard.

August’s “From the Archives” is on our pair of M1917 Trench Boots from the First World War. When the United States enter...
08/23/2026

August’s “From the Archives” is on our pair of M1917 Trench Boots from the First World War. When the United States entered the conflict in 1917, the Army needed a new boot to withstand the unforgiving conditions of trench warfare. Building on earlier American designs like the Russet Marching Shoe, the new M1917 Trench Boot was similar to footwear used by their European allies. Unfortunately, distinct shortcomings made themselves clear early on in its durability, insulation, and comfort, prompting US Army leadership to design an improved standard-issue boot in early 1918. After approval by General John Pershing, a Missouri native, the improved M1918 Trench Boot, or “Pershing Boot,” began to be issued to American troops up through the end of the war. This pair here is the earlier 1917 model.

For our sixth “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now,” we have the iconic Double Barracks buildings from the 1890s. The five br...
08/23/2026

For our sixth “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now,” we have the iconic Double Barracks buildings from the 1890s. The five brick barracks were built between 1894 and 1898 to serve as housing mostly for soldiers of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. During the 1890s and 1900s, Jefferson Barracks was extensively rebuilt to meet the needs of a modern army, and these barracks replaced the aging frame and limestone buildings from the time of Civil War. Although some have different dormers, cupolas, windows, and ornamentation, each of the five barracks were built according to Quartermaster Plan 41-A, with a three story center and double two story wings with porches, enough to quarter a full troop of cavalrymen. They have housed soldiers and served as offices for over a century, including during the Spanish-American War and both World Wars. Today, they are occupied by various units of the Missouri Air National Guard.

We hope everyone has been having a great summer so far! Here are a few updates from the museum.- We have officially begu...
07/23/2026

We hope everyone has been having a great summer so far! Here are a few updates from the museum.
- We have officially begun work on our newest project in Jefferson Barracks: the restoration of the 1909 Hospital Corps Sergeant’s Quarters. Our mission is to return this historic home to its original condition. For ways you can help out, consider donating to the museum, attending one of our events, or volunteering to help.
- We have more Saturday Speaker Series presentations coming up! In August, Julie Nicolai will speak on slavery and the Underground Railroad, and in September, NiNi Harris will cover the Camp Jackson Affair.
- On October 23, our museum will be hosting a trivia night to celebrate Jefferson Barracks’ 200th birthday! The event will also help raise funds for the restoration of the Hospital Corps Sergeant’s Quarters. Call the museum or visit the front desk to sign up!
- August 8th is Junior Historian Day at Jefferson Barracks. Visit the museums here at Jefferson Barracks Historic Site for a fun, interactive, and educational experience!

For more information on hours, exhibits, and events, please visit mcwm.org

Our fifth installment of “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is on the 1909 Post Hospital! By the twentieth century, the ol...
07/22/2026

Our fifth installment of “Jefferson Barracks: Then & Now” is on the 1909 Post Hospital! By the twentieth century, the old Civil War hospital at Jefferson Barracks was showing its age and lacked many of the features expected of a modern military hospital. In 1903, amid the ongoing reconstruction of Jefferson Barracks, proposals were put forth to build a new hospital for the post. Work started in 1907, and the main building was completed by 1908; a rear addition was finished in 1909. By 1910, a new medical complex had taken shape surrounding the hospital, including the Recruit Examination Building, the Hospital Corps Sergeant’s Quarters, and the Hospital Isolation Building. The 1909 Post Hospital would then serve the military post during both World Wars, treating sick, wounded, and recovering soldiers. After the Second World War, the hospital became a school, and it eventually was purchased by Melville School District for maintenance and administration use.

We want to say thank you to our wonderful guests, talented speakers, and dedicated volunteers for a memorable weekend at...
07/21/2026

We want to say thank you to our wonderful guests, talented speakers, and dedicated volunteers for a memorable weekend at the Jefferson Barracks Bicentennial Symposium! From July 10th through 12th, we celebrated and explored the two hundred year legacy of Jefferson Barracks with engaging presentations, tours of the historic site, and great food and fellowship. We also would like to express our gratitude to Ashlynn Couch of Call Newspapers for our front-page coverage and her photographs of our event! Here’s to two centuries!

For more information on hours, exhibits, and events, please visit mcwm.org

This month’s “From the Archives” is on a colored portrait of Missouri Civil War soldier, John Oliver. Born in Ohio in 18...
07/21/2026

This month’s “From the Archives” is on a colored portrait of Missouri Civil War soldier, John Oliver. Born in Ohio in 1846, Oliver and his family eventually settled in Putnam County, Missouri by the start of the Civil War. In 1864, Oliver was enrolled in the local 45th EMM Regiment, but in August, he joined the 42nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment. While in the 42nd Missouri, Oliver guarded railroads in Missouri, performed garrison duty at Fort Donelson, and operated against guerrillas in Tennessee and Alabama. His regiment mustered out of service in June 1865, and Oliver returned home to northern Missouri, where he married later that year and began making a living as a farmer. He raised 8 children and lived until 1933.

Address

222 Worth Road
St. Louis, MO
63125

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+13148451861

Website

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