Thursday Nights at the Museum: How St. Louis Shaped Early America
Thursday Nights at the Museum is a weekly series where the museum exhibits are open late and you can enjoy pop-up activities, a cash bar, food and more.
Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 5–8 p.m.
Location: Missouri History Museum, Lee Auditorium and MacDermott Grand Hall
Countless major moments in American history can be traced to St. Louis. As the United States marks it 250th anniversary in 2026, explore how St. Louis shaped America in this four-part series for the Missouri Historical Society. From westward growth to civil rights, music industry and America’s urban landscape, St. Louis has been at the center of it all for the last 250 years.
Part 1: How St. Louis Shaped Early America
Explore the story of westward expansion, the Louisiana Purchase and St. Louis’ unique position in the early days of the United States with Military & Firearms Curator Mike Venso. After the presentation, Mike will be joined by Public Historian Amanda Clark, Curator of Indigenous Collections Brady Wolf and MICDS Upper School History Teacher Changa Bey for a conversation that explores the lives of women and Black communities in this era, as well as the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on Native nations.
Join us in the Grand Hall before our main-stage event to enjoy food and drinks available for purchase from Amighetti’s. Visit a touch table inspired by life in early Missouri. Don’t forget to stop by our Historian’s Corner to hear more stories of early St. Louis.
Schedule
5–7 p.m. | Food and drinks available for purchase.
5–6:30 p.m. | Visit resource tables and the Historian’s Corner.
6:30–8 p.m. | Head to the Lee Auditorium (lower level) and enjoy a conversation on the westward expansion, life for women and the Black community during this era and the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on Native nations.
Join us for additional programs in this series:
March 19 | How St. Louis Shaped American Cities
August 27 | How St. Louis Shaped the Soundtrack of America