Jefferson City Museums

(Jefferson City, Missouri - MO, USA)

Located on the first floor of the very imposing Missouri State Capitol Building is the aptly named Missouri State Museum. This is a major cultural attraction in Jefferson City, being established way back in 1919.

Another worthy distraction is the Cole County Historical Museum, which stands right next to the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site and a small group of churches. Antiquities, paintings, historic artifacts and various collections of valuable treasures are displayed within the multiple themed rooms.

For something a little more unconventional, consider visiting the Missouri State Highway Patrol Safety Education Center. This attraction first opened its doors to the general public in 1982 and provides a very extensive selection of information dedicated to various topics related to the state's highway patrol.

Missouri State Museum

Address: 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 751 2854
The Missouri State Museum is operated and managed by the state's Department of Natural Resources. Inside, the onsite collection of historical artifacts numbers close to 70,000 items, with collections including everything from Civil War flags and the uniforms of soldiers, to state wildlife, models of the city and various art works. The main exhibition spaces include the Foundations Gallery, the History Hall, the Missouri Veterans' Gallery and the Resources Hall, where you will find out how the natural resources of the area have influenced the development of Jefferson City.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Museum

Address: 2500 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65109, USA
Tel: +1 573 636 8737
Opened in the year 1978, the state's very own Veterinary Museum is actually the only museum of its kind in the whole of the United States. A sizeable collection of historic artifacts relating to veterinary medicine is housed here, with some of these items dating all the way back to the early years of the 16th century. In total there are around 40,000 different artifacts and related objects, ranging from historic operating equipment and surgical instruments to bones, embryos, old drugs, actual vet diaries and even some giant hairballs.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday - by appointment
Admission: free, donations suggested

Cole County Historical Museum

Address: 109 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 635 1850
The Cole County Historical Museum is easy to find and resides on Madison Street. The building itself is particularly attractive and was built in the early 1870s, by Governor Gratz Brown. Each of the rooms contain different themes and collections, such as the Goller Room, which is home to antique furniture, oil portraits, a historic Penny Farthing bicycle, a display case with Cybis porcelains and the resident gift shop, which sells an array of inexpensive goodies, such as postcards, books and general collectables. Elegant antiques furnish the Drawing Room, including a giant gold-leaf mirror from France, while notable ball gowns, china plates and crystal goblets are all on display within the Delong Room. Civil War memorabilia, extravagant bedroom furniture and children's toys are additional highlights.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 13:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, children four years old and under are free

Missouri State Highway Patrol Safety Education Center

Address: 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 526 6149
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Safety Education Center comes with displays relating to traffic safety, the work of the Crime Laboratory Division, the dangers of drink driving, general law enforcement techniques, the use of illegal drugs, notorious criminals and their weapons, and antique handcuffs. There are also five old patrol cars, including a Model A Ford Roadster from 1931 and two Chevrolets, dating from 1942 and 1953.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Museum of Missouri Military History

Address: 2303 Militia Drive, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 638 9603
Although fairly small in size, the Museum of Missouri Military History does come with some very interesting exhibits and free admission. Visitors will be able to learn all about the work of the Missouri National Guard service, which has its origins in the summer of 1808, when it began its life as the Missouri Militia, and today comprises the national guards of the state's army and air force service. Exhibits concentrate on the days of the Civil War, the troops who fought during both World Wars, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and the famous Desert Storm operation. There are also displays about the devastating floods of 1993 and the constant fight against terrorists.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 15:00
Admission: free