Discover the pieces of St. Louis’s 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:

$65.00 per person for members of the Missouri History Museum
$75.00 per person for non-members

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

Saturday, March 7- Dine Around the World, Just Around the Block

You may be familiar with some of St. Louis’ ethnic food options. But new waves of immigrants from all over the world are constantly adding to our diversity. Begin your tour at the Missouri History Museum’s Library and Research Center to learn how immigration influenced the cultural landscape of St. Louis’ past. Then, take in a world of delights at Jay’s International Market, and sample tasty treats from a variety of restaurants including the Bosnian establishment Grbic, Thai food from the King and I, and Ethiopian cuisine at Meskerem, just to name a few. Linda Koenig, well-known local guide, will lead this tour.

Saturday, March 14 - Church Windows of Emil Frei Company

For more than 100 years, the Frei family has been creating miraculous liturgical art. What better way to begin your day than with a presentation at the Missouri History Museum by Steve Frei himself, describing the Old World process his family uses to create these masterpieces. Move on to view these stunning works in some of St. Louis’ most impressive churches such as Hope United Church of Christ, St. Francis de Sales, St. John Nepomuk, and St. Francis Xavier. Lunch is included on this tour, led by local guide Linda Koenig.

Saturday, April 4 - Katherine Dunham’s Living Legacy

Katherine Dunham’s influence stretches around the world and back to the St. Louis region. Discover why she chose to live and teach in our area, and how her legacy continues to thrive in our community. Begin at the Missouri History Museum with a tour of the exhibit, Katherine Dunham: Beyond the Dance. Continue to East St. Louis to see Miss Dunham’s home, the Dunham Dynamic Museum, and enjoy a performance by students from the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities. Lunch is included on the tour, guided by Linda Koenig.

Saturday, April 25 - Curtain Call: Theater in St. Louis

 
From Vincent Price to Kevin Kline, St. Louis has nurtured many great theatrical talents. Join St. Louis raconteur Johnny Rabbitt on this tour of great theaters past and present. Your first stop will be at the Missouri History Museum for a tour of the exhibit, Katherine Dunham: Beyond the Dance which includes a short theater piece, “Looking for Dunham”, performed by the museum’s Teens Make History troupe. Then visit the Fox Theater for a behind the scenes tour, go backstage at The Muny and see its prop department, The Gas Light Theater, home to the St. Louis Actors’ Studio, and many more, all peppered with amusing anecdotes told as only Johnny Rabbitt can tell them. Lunch is included on this tour.

Saturday, June 20 - Quilts: Piecemakers Past and Present

 
Quilting has been part of life in America since the 1700’s. Some were made of necessity, some to pass the time, and some to express creativity, skill and even political views. Examine a variety of these folk-art masterpieces at the Missouri History Museum in the exhibit, Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee’s Bend Quilts and Beyond, and view quilts from the museum’s own collection. Move on to the Sappington House and Library for a tour, demonstration and display of historic quilts, and to the Quilting Fox to see how quilting has remained a popular hobby and form of self-expression today. A stop for lunch is included on this tour led by local guide Linda Koenig. 

Saturday, July 18 - Historic Hotels of St. Louis

 
As the “Gateway to the West” St. Louis hosted many lodgers as they set out to seek their fortunes. A talk at the Missouri History Museum’s Library and Research center will discuss the history of St. Louis’ hotel industry. Continue on to explore the sites of accommodations that have come and gone, and those that stood the test of time, including the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, the Renaissance (Statler), the Mayfair, and the ruins of the Lindell Hotel in Tower Grove Park. Well-known local guide Linda Koenig will lead this tour, which includes a stop for lunch.

 

Saturday, August 1 - Official Business: Government Buildings in St. Louis

 
What goes on behind closed doors in these authoritative buildings? We may never truly know, but we can address their outward appearance to understand how form communicates function. Begin with a presentation at the Missouri History Museum which examines the grand architecture of these structures. Proceed to the Civil Courts building, City Hall, Soldier’s Memorial and more to observe these architectural principles in practice. Lunch is included.  Experienced tour leader Linda Koenig will be your guide.

Saturday, September 26 - Police Stories

Robberies! Gangsters! Kidnapping! Art Theft! St. Louis has had its fair share of crime stories. Join Allen E. Wagner, Ph.D., Associate Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UM – St. Louis and author of the book Good Order and Safety: A History of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 1861-1906 for a program at the Missouri History Museum. After learning about early law enforcement in St. Louis, Dr. Wagner, a 20-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, will guide you through some of the city’s most infamous crime stories, involving Southwest Bank, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the former site of the Coral Courts Motel. You’ll also see how officers work the beat today. Lunch is included on this tour.

Saturday, October 17 - Everything Old is New Again

St. Louis is experiencing a boom of urban renewal. Warehouses, hospitals, and houses of worship long left abandoned have been repurposed into hotels, apartments and community spaces. Begin your tour at the Missouri History Museum’s Library and Research Center, formerly the home of United Hebrew Congregation, to learn how this and other local buildings have been transformed. Continue on to explore the old City Hospital, the Drury Plaza Hotel, and other rehabbed buildings to see how the past is becoming our future. Enjoy an included lunch on this tour led by well-known guide Linda Koenig.

Saturday, October 31 - Memories of a Night on the Town

 
Over the years, “going out” to socialize included different activities in different eras. In the 40’s it was dinner and dancing, in the 60’s, jazz and beat poetry. Local entertainer Johnny Rabbitt will lead this tour and offer some memories of his own. Begin your exploration of St. Louis nightlife at the Missouri History Museum’s Library and Research Center, with a look at menus, handbills and advertisements from the mid-1900’s. Then, cruise through the old Gaslight Square area, and revisit some favorite hot-spots including Powell Symphony Hall, The Casa Loma Ballroom, and the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Lunch is included on your tour.

Saturday, November 7 - Behind the Scenes in St. Louis Media

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in front of the camera, behind the microphone, and ready with a story, hot off the presses! Former local broadcaster Donn Johnson, the Missouri History Museum’s Director of Communications, will be your guide on this tour, which begins with a visit to the museum’s Library and Research Center to explore a special media collection and view items from the archives. Then, be a part of the action as you visit a local TV station, radio station, and newspaper. Lunch is included on this tour.

                To reserve your tour or for more information please call 314 361-9017