History Museum on the Square

Wallace White, a runaway slave and Union soldier, helped fight in some of the most important battles in the Civil War.

Born in 1844 in Kentucky, Wallace was soon separated from his family and sold to a farmer by the name of John White. One day during the Civil War, as Wallace was working in the cotton fields, soldiers from the 6th Missouri Cavalry rode by and encouraged him to join them. After much encouragement, White left with the group, riding a mule and wearing only his working clothes and the padlock from his shackles.

White spent the remaining duration of the war in unofficial service for the Union. He fought in many battles, including the Battle of Pea Ridge and the Siege at Vicksburg. After the war, he settled in Greene County, near Cave Springs, where he farmed and raised a family with his wife Annie Looney. Though he did not receive a pension because he was not an official member of the Union, he continued to attend reunions of the 6th Missouri Cavalry.

Wallace White died on September 26, 1931, at the age of 87. This Saturday marks the 95th anniversary of his death.

📸 Pictured below: A photo of Wallace White and his wife Annie on their farm, taken on October 27, 1926.

📝 Text co-written by History Museum on the Square Intern, Ada Montgomery, and the HMS Team.

We strive to accurately identify and credit photographers, creators, and copyright holders whenever possible. If you have additional information about this image, we'd love to hear from you.
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The Route 66 Series temporary exhibit will end Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. We have traveled through time over the last 5 years and shared many of our local stories along Route 66. Thank you to our series sponsors, O'Reilly Auto Parts and - Ozarks Studies Institute.

Happy family weekend, Bears! If you're looking for something fun to do off campus this weekend, stop by the History Museum on the Square for a visit.

All students who present a valid university ID receive discounted admission! 🐻

📸 Pictured below: A westward-facing, black and white aerial negative of the Southwest Missouri Teacher's College, now known as Missouri State University, taken by Betty Love. (ca. 1950).
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📍Route 66 is well known around the Springfield area, but many people don’t fully realize the impact that it has on our city. One of the main sources of tourism here in Springfield is Route 66 travelers—tourism in turn impacted the growth of our city’s population and economic growth. More tourists meant more business coming through the city and led to a major boost in local commerce, population size, and economic development.

🗺️The presence of Route 66 in Springfield created an identity of an iconic, historic roadside culture that still permeates through the city—from classic car enthusiasts and festivals to the Giraffe Stone architecture that can call Springfield home.

Pictured Below: A view of St. Louis St. near Jefferson Ave.; businesses featured in this photo include Hotel Springfield, Black's Cafe, Happy & Co. Millinery, H.L. Hoover Music Co., Hurlburt's, and the Colonial Hotel (ca. 1927).

📝 Text co-written by History Museum on the Square Intern, Ada Montgomery, and the HMS Team.

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Greetings from Route 66! 👋🌴

Historic postcards, produced from the 1960s to 2000s, are among the many artifacts featured in our Miles of Memories exhibit.

Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial is an in-depth look at the history, culture, and impact of Route 66. This showcase explores the many different aspects of a road trip down the Mother Road, from the iconic diners and motels to the unique roadside attractions.

The finale of our four-year-long exhibition series is sponsored by O’Reilly Automotive and the Ozark Studies Institute, supporting our celebration of Route 66 with historic pictures and memorabilia—all diving into the history of Route 66 unique to the Ozarks.

Visit us before Sunday, September 20th, and discover the lasting impact and legacy of America’s Highway!

📝 Text co-written by History Museum on the Square Intern, Ada Montgomery, and the HMS Team.

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We loved welcoming the students from Academy of Exploration to the History Museum on the Square yesterday! Thanks for spending the day exploring Springfield’s history with us. 📚🏛️

Check out the photos from their visit!

⏰ One hour left of our 3rd Annual Service Fair on the Square! Stop by soon to meet with all of our lovely community partners, and maybe you'll get a discount on admission to the museum for one day only!

⏰The 3rd Annual Service Fair on the Square is here!

Be sure to stop by Park Central Square today from 10 am to noon so you can meet with some wonderful organizations and discover all the ways you make a difference in our community!
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