Missouri History Museum

Discover the pieces of St. Louis' past in a history-based guided tour

The Missouri History Museum's Discovery Tours are local excursions designed to entertain and educate. Inspired by the museum exhibitions and programming, these tours explore historic themes at various sites throughout the city and the region. All tours will be led by trained guides with expertise in the tour topic's field.

The Discovery Tours will begin and end at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Most tours will begin at 9:00am and return at 3:00pm. It is requested that all participants meet at the Visitor Service desk in the Emerson section of the Museum at 8:45am.

All of the tours will include deluxe motor coach transportation, tour guide, all admission and donation charges, water, snack and lunch.

It should be noted that there will be frequent, but generally not strenuous walking on every tour. To ensure a great day plan on wearing comfortable shoes, bringing jacket and a camera to capture the wonderful memories that you will be creating on these fabulous adventure.

Rate

$70.00 per person for members of the Missouri History Museum
$80.00 per person for non-members

To reserve your tour or for more information please call 314 361-9017 or email reserv@mohistory.org.

Discovery Tours 2010

St. Louis

Date: Saturday, March 13
Tour Leader: Johnny Rabbitt

Our fair city boasts makers of confections of every kind: pastry, candy, ice cream and more. Join our tour leader who will share his sugar-coated memories of the candy counters and soda fountains of yesteryear. Then he'll take you behind the scenes at some of St. Louis' sweetest spots including the historic Carondelet Bakery, a local chocolate factory and much more. Lunch is included.

African American History, Culture & Community

Date: Saturday, March 27
Tour Leader: Dr. John Wright

Once isolated and segregated, African Americans in St. Louis created thriving neighborhoods and organizations. Your tour begins with the exhibit "RACE: Are We So Different?"at the Missouri History Museum. See how African American traditions in St. Louis have remained as the communities have grown, changed, and moved beyond their original boundaries as you visit the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center, The Ville and Meacham Park neighborhoods, Olive Chapel, AME Church in Kirkwood and more. Lunch is included. 

The Asian Experience

Date: Saturday, April 10
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Asian culture has become an integral piece of the American pie. See how these influences intertwine with life in St. Louis, and carry on in a variety of distinct communities in the city. Begin your day with a private performance of "Race to the Finish Line" at the Missouri History Museum to gain a perspective on the idea of race in modern society. Observe Asian culture in St. Louis by visiting a local Buddhist center, Valhalla Cemetery, the Asian collection at the St. Louis Art Museum and the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Lunch at Wei Hong Seafood Restaurant in University City is included. 

Parks in the City

Date: Saturday, May 1
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Whether green and grand or small and quaint, the stories of these St. Louis parks are a key part of the history of our city and its neighborhoods. Our tour begins at the Missouri History Museum with a presentation by a Trailnet staff member about the socioeconomic value that parks provide to our community. Then, discover the stories of several local parks both old and new, including Forest Park, Fairgrounds Park and the recently opened sculpture park, City Garden, where you will enjoy lunch at the Terrace View Cafe.

Irish St. Louis

Date: Saturday, May 15
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

There's more to being Irish than good luck. Discover the neighborhoods, customs, and contributions of the local Irish population. Your first stop is the Missouri History Museum for a presentation by members of the Irish Arts Society which includes traditional Irish songs and dancing. Then, uncover Irish St. Louis' past and present as you visit the Kerry Patch area of Old North St. Louis, watch a Hurling match, take a drive through the present-day Irish neighborhood of Dogtown and visit St. James the Greater Catholic Church. Lunch at Seamus McDaniel's is included.

Catholic St. Louis: Reflection, Retreat and Study

Date: Saturday, June 26
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

The practice of Catholicism calls some to contemplation or meditation, and others to study. Start the day with a tour of the Vatican exhibition at the Missouri History Museum to learn about the foundations of the Catholic Church and the work of the Pope. Move on to discover how the faithful express their devotion outside the church walls with a visit to the cloistered congregation of the Pink Sisters at Mount Grace Chapel, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, and the peaceful gardens of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, where you will also enjoy an included lunch.

*price includes discounted admission to the Vatican Exhibition at the Missouri History Museum.

Rites and Culture: A World of Catholicism

Date: Saturday, July 10
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Catholicism is prevalent in many countries, each infusing the religion with its own cultural traditions. Begin with a lecture at the Missouri History Museum to discover who founded the churches on our tour, and how each has grown and adapted over the years to accommodate the changing community around them. Explore a few of these unique congregations in our area including the Hungarian congregation at St. Mary of Victories, the Lebanese parish of St. Raymond, and the Hispanic community at St. Cecilia, among others. Lunch at Grbic's, a European treasure, is included. 

Ways of Worship

Date: Saturday, July 31
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Thomas Jefferson said, "The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." Although many St. Louisans identify themselves as Christian, other religious communities including the Hindu and Muslim faiths are well-represented in our city. Your tour commences at the Missouri History Museum with a presentation by the Interfaith Partnership, an organization that promotes peace, respect, and understanding among people of all faiths. Then visit the Concordia Historical Institute Museum, the Daar ul Islam Mosque, Hindu Temple of St. Louis, and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, to learn about the diverse religious practices of our citizens. Lunch is included on your tour. 

Imported Cultures

Date: Saturday, September 11
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Immigrants have been coming to St. Louis for the opportunity to create better lives since the city was founded in 1764. Begin with a lecture at the Missouri History Museum's Library and Research center about the history of a few of our well-established cultural communities. Continue on to explore the neighborhoods, churches and organizations that provide ties to the homeland with stops at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, the Italian neighborhood of The Hill, and St. Stanislaus Church. Enjoy lunch at the Polish Festival held at the Polish Falcons Hall.

Girlfriends Gateway

Date: Saturday, October 23
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

It's Ladies Day Out! Begin at the Missouri History Museum with a tour of the exhibit, Homelands: How Women Made the West, to gain understanding of women's changing roles in the home and workplace. Take in the autumn beauty of our region as you explore the dichotomy of women's work and leisure with visits to Winding Brook Estate Lavender Farm, Wool Gatherings fiber art center, and the beautiful village of St. Albans. Lunch is included at the Hawthorne Inn in the historic town of Labadie, MO. 

St. Louis Beyond the Graves

Date: Saturday, October 30
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

The historic cemeteries of St. Louis contain the graves of the famous and the infamous. Discover their resting places and the stories they have left behind. Start this spooky day at the Missouri History Museum's Library and Research Center to learn about St. Louis' Haunted History. Venture on - if you dare - to the former Missouri Crematory, and Bellefontaine and Calvary Cemeteries to unearth some of the legendary tales buried in the city's past. Enjoy lunch at The Stable, part of the Lemp Brewery complex.

The Woman of the House

Date: Saturday, November 13
Tour Leader: Linda Koenig

Women's roles in the home have changed over time, and according to their status in society. Visit some historic homes to see how the women of the house lived their daily lives. Start at the Missouri History Museum with the exhibit, Homelands: How Women Made the West, and a one-person play about women's history. Examine the lifestyles and household responsibilities of women in the 1800's at the Daniel Boone Home and Village, and other historic homes in the area. Lunch in Victorian style at the Mother-in-Law House Restaurant in St. Charles is included.

To reserve your tour or for more information please call

314 361-9017 for email reserv@mohistory.org