Public History at UCM

07/31/2026

07/28/2026

07/28/2026

One of our very own interned this summer with The Missouri State Archives. Here is what they had to say:

Evan Weirich

University of Central Missouri, History/Political Science double major
Favorite project: Missouri State Penitentiary records

“One thing I learned this summer is that even the smallest documents and files can hold a life time of history, they can tell us how people lived, worked, and thought in a period which seems so far away. For many people as well, these documents may be the only pieces of them that have survived to this day, making this work that much more important, because every individual’s story deserves to be remembered and told.”

Way to make Mule Nation proud, Evan! 🔴🤘⚫️

Photo credit to

04/21/2026

It’s , and we’re celebrating the National Archives’ sixteen Presidential Libraries!

Step inside a Presidential Library and you will discover:
📜 Textual, electronic, and audiovisual records
📸Exhibits featuring Presidential artifacts, documents, photos, and film
📂Digital Artifact Collections
🏛️Virtual and in-person events for all ages

Explore more: https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries

04/21/2026

Ever wonder what the St. Louis riverfront looked like before the Gateway Arch was built? Some of the oldest buildings of the city of St. Louis, dating back to the 1800s, were demolished by 1942, in order to make way for the construction of the Arch. However, it wasn't until 1965 that the construction was completed. During the 1950's the land was used as a parking lot. Pictured is an panoramic view of the riverfront with SS Admiral on the left ca. 1959.
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"St. Louis Riverfront, With Admiral, Prior to Arch, Panorama," 1959, Arthur Whitman Collection (S0732). See more photos of the St. Louis riverfront over time here: https://tinyurl.com/StLouisRiverfront
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04/21/2026

The Truman Sports Complex honors the “county’s most distinguished citizen for all-time.” Even if the Chiefs and Royals move, that matters.

04/21/2026

The Truman Farm Home opens on Friday, May 22!

Learn about Harry Truman's life before politics. At 22, he left the comforts of the city and a good paying job to help his family on the farm in Grandview, Missouri. Having never farmed a day in his life, he had a lot to learn but he had a good teacher. His dad taught him everything he needed to know from planting, plowing, and caring for livestock. On the farm, he learned common sense, how to work hard, and make decisions; all traits that would be valuable in his future life.

The farm will be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours of the home will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 4 pm. The home will be closed from 12 pm to 1 pm for lunch.

The farm is located at 12301 Blue Ridge Blvd. in Grandview, Missouri. Tours are free and first come, first served. The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Check out the National Park Service App and take our self-guided audio tour of the grounds.

The schedule may be adjusted for weather or staffing changes.

Image: Photo of the family in front of the Grandview farmhouse. From left to right: Martha Ellen Truman, Harry Truman's mother; Harriet Louisa Gregg Young, Truman's grandmother; and a young Harry S. Truman in farm clothes. Circa 1907. Credit: Harry S. Truman Library & Museum.

04/04/2026

03/24/2026

Thank you to OAH Lecturer Cassandra Good for her well attended talk yesterday at the University of Central Missouri!