Explore Nearby Museums
 Updated: 5/13/2019 
Lawrence County Historical Society Museum
Mt Vernon, Missouri
Description

Free museum focused on history of Lawrence County, Missouri

Sections of the museum focus on the chronological history of the county, including its citizens' involvement in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm.

The "Hall of Time" also offers a glimpse of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, among other eras. One display highlights items common to this area during the Depression.

History

The Lawrence County Historical Society was organized May 19, 1961, for the purpose of promoting interest in our heritage and gathering and preserving records of Lawrence County and its people.

Artifact Collections

The Adamson Cabin was built before the Civil War - most likely in the 1850s - and was moved to this location. Volunteers have restored the dogtrot-style cabin and offer living history there during Apple Butter Makin' Days each year. The museum features numerous displays on Lawrence County history. Among the highlights are an 1865 hearse and the original statue of Lady Justice, which was removed from the top of the Lawrence County Courthouse in 1994 and was used as a model for the statue that now sits atop the courthouse clock tower.

Research Collections

Most of the Society’s genealogical collection is housed at the Walter C. McCanse Library, at Mt. Vernon, Mo., and is available for in-person research. The Society does not have a paid staff to handle research requests. It does, however, publish queries in the newsletter and on this site. The Society’s collection includes census microfilm, printed census records, published material, family manuscript collections, Wills (1845-1917: Microfilm), indexes, the Western Historical Manuscripts Collections pertaining to Lawrence County, Cemetery inscriptions, microfilmed newspapers, and several thousand obituaries from various Lawrence County newspaper on index cards. In 2013, it opened a reading room on the second floor of the Lawrence County Courthouse, where additional information is available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. It is closed on days the courthouse is closed.

Governance

The Society was incorporated on June 15, 1970, under the laws of the State of Missouri as a not-for-profit corporation, with a three-member Board of Directors.

The Society meets the third Sunday of every other month. Meetings are held in January, March, May, July, September and November. The annual business meeting and election of officers is in November.

Services

Membership in the Society is open to any interested person. Yearly dues are $10.00, or $15.00 for member and spouse. Membership includes a subscription to the Bulletin. The Bulletin is published quarterly.

The gift shop is open during museum hours, offering the Historical Society's complete collection of research publications and Lawrence County memorabilia. Included are indexed census records, tombstone inscriptions from every known cemetery in the county, marriage records, funeral home records, and other publications.

Gift Shop
Street Address
11110 Lawrence 1137
Mt Vernon, MO 65712
Mailing Address
PO Box 406
Mt Vernon, MO 65712
phone: 417-466-3446
e-mail: lawrencecountyhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
home page: www.facebook.com/Lawrence-County-Missouri-Historical-Society-196925253654757/
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Hours of Operation
Memorial Day weekend through October

Tours and visits by appointment can be arranged.

Sunday1 PM - 4 PM

Closed during the winter.

Admission

Free

Museum Type(s)
History
Historical Society
Staff
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

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2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

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Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

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Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

Athens, Ohio

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Saturday, March 29 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

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Hosted by: Ohio Museums Association

"Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential

The heart of innovation is transformation – shaking up our established way of doing things by introducing new methods, new ideas, and new approaches to both obstacles and opportunities

Museums across Ohio are not just adapting, but innovating to reach their full potential and better serve their communities. No matter their role, museum professionals are introducing forward-thinking perspectives and initiating creative solutions to launch the field into a future where museums can remain trusted and relevant community cornerstones

How can your museum stay true to mission and serve your community in new and meaningful ways? How can we as museum professionals meet the challenges of the future with reinvigorated enthusiasm

Join us in Athens, March 29-31 as we explore these topics and more at the 2025 Ohio Museums Association’s Annual Conference: Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential.

For more information, please email oma@ohiohistory.org.

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

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North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

Sunday, March 30 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

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Hosted by: North Carolina Museums Council

Museums Unwalled: Expanding Horizon

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The primary objective is to provide a platform for museum professionals and others working in the industry to share ideas, best practices, resources and innovative approaches that demonstrate how museums can reach audiences in and beyond our physical spaces. We aim to inspire attendees to think broadly about the potential of their institutions and to foster a spirit of innovation and community engagement.

By facilitating discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will empower current and future museum professionals and to expand their impact, embrace new challenges, and create meaningful connections with their audiences and communities.

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

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Monday, March 31 - Thursday, April 3, 2025

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Hosted by: Arkansas Museums Association

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The goal of the conference is to support and foster the museum community through a mix of speakers as well as workshops, practical and informative presentations, in-depth discussions, and examples of projects and initiatives that are relevant to museums in Arkansas. Arkansas Museum Association members take ownership in the conference experience as presenters, speakers, panelists, facilitators, and workshop leaders.

For more information, please email arkansasmuseums@gmail.com.

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