222 Worth Road
Saint Louis, Missouri
314-845-1861
The Missouri Civil War Museum is located in the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site in just south of Saint Louis. The facility is the largest educational complex dedicated exclusively to Missouri’s role in the Civil War. The museum is housed in the Jefferson Barracks Post Exchange and Gymnasium Building that was built in 1905. The building was designed as an athletic and activity center for the commissioned officers at the base but became a center for all enlisted personnel. The building was equipped with a full-size gymnasium, a barbershop, an indoor pistol range, and a two-lane bowling alley. In addition, it would have a small store, a kitchen area, recreational rooms, and an athletic locker room. It was designed to assist the veterans in relaxing and keeping active on their off-duty time.
The Museum is located in the Jefferson Barracks Military Complex which is the oldest operational military installation west of the Mississippi River. Originally established in 1826 as the country’s first Infantry School of Practice, Jefferson Barracks received its name in honor of President Thomas Jefferson who had died earlier that same year. Jefferson Barracks was primarily a supportive military installation overseeing the westward expansion in the new acquired Louisiana Purchase and assisted in protecting the early European settlers. Before the Civil War Jefferson Barracks was the desired post for graduates from the military academy at West Point.
The Post Exchange Building was actively utilized prior to World War I until sometime after World War II. During the decades that followed World War II, the Post Exchange started suffering from maintenance neglect and a decline in overall condition. It is also during this time that the Federal government started selling off surplus property such as equipment and land. These reductions are what lead to the purchase of much of the surrounding land by Saint Louis County to create nearby Jefferson Barracks County Park.
In 1988, after many years of maintenance neglect and inactive use, the Post Exchange Building along with some other property, was deeded over to the government of Saint Louis County where an attempt was made to stabilize some of the structures. In 2002, the Missouri Civil War Museum not-for-profit corporation, along with the support and partnership of the Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation Department, began the long and extensive historic restoration of the Post Exchange Building. Although the building became a museum and educational facility, the restoration and implementation efforts placed top priority on maintaining the historic integrity of the building and its original details. The museum contains hundreds of original artifacts from the Civil War. Visitors will see an original Stidebaker hose wagon, A Civil War cannon, a “war horse,” and many other area memorabilia. The museum contains a movie room and several other multimedia presentations. The museum welcomes groups and field trips by students.
Visiting the Missouri Civil War Museum
Visiting Hours
9 am to 5 pm daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Admission;. Reduced rates for seniors, children, and groups of 10 or more. Children under 5 are free
Missouri Civil War Museum Members and Active Military Members are admitted Free
Use the official site of the Missouri Civil War Museum to find the answers to the questions about the Missouri Civil War Museum Site that you may have.
