Last updated: 5/29/2011
1617 West Oak Street
Carthage, MO 64836
PO Box 593
Carthage, MO 64836
Seasonal as given on our website: www.powersmuseum.com
Local history museum for Carthage, MO area featuring rotating exhibits on local annual themes and traveling exhibits on Missouri history. On and off site programming devoted to local history, musical performance, oral history projects, reference library and archives.
On site is a Museum Gift Shop featuring books, family tree charts, posters, Route 66 and Jefferson Highway souvenirs, and reproduction holiday items. The Powers Museum Shop stocks books, gift items, family tree charts and a variety of reproduction items such as holiday goods, greeting cards, old-fashioned postcards, Missouri educational items and much, much more. Most of our merchandise can not be found elsewhere in Carthage and much of it is purchased from specialty companies who only supply museums and historical sites.
The museum's small Local History Reference Library is open until 4:00 PM (on days the museum is open to the public -- appointment needed during winter) for self-directed consultation. Access to additional research resources housed elsewhere in the museum (such as archival collections and vertical files) requires an advance appointment for use. (Tip: Those seeking to do genealogical work should consult the resources at the Carthage Public Library or the Jasper County Records Center. The museum does not have birth/death/marriage records nor census or local newspapers.)
Small clubs are encouraged to meet at the museum in our library/meeting room and tables and chairs for groups up to 12–18 people can be provided. A program by the Museum Director or a gallery tour can be arranged as well and is encouraged. There is no fee for daytime use of the meeting room; however donations are appreciated. Please contact the museum for fee structure (when meals are served and/or meeting is held at night) and information on other restrictions. Reservations are required well in advance and no meetings are allowed from mid-December through early-March.
The museum has presented dozens of public exhibits since 1988. Currently the museum is involved in several special educational projects including one Teaching American History Grant, the Carthage Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, and two on-going, multi-institutional research projects devoted to U.S. Highway 66 and the Jefferson Highway. Museum staff is available to talk to school and adult groups about these activities and the museum
The Powers Museum is a gift from Marian Powers Winchester to the City of Carthage. At her death in 1981, Mrs. Winchester left a bequest "for the establishment and operation of a museum for the citizens of Carthage and the surrounding area." She requested the museum's name honor her parents Dr. Everett Powers (1869–1954) and Marian Wright Powers (1880–1969).
Based on post civil war period to contemporary: decorative arts & fashion, local businesses, art,
medical
Based on 18th & 19th century documents, photographs, business records, family correspondence.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: Yes
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
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