History Museum on the Square

Come visit the History Museum on the Square and the many amazing restaurants, shops, theaters and activities on Historic Route 66 in Downtown Springfield!

There is something for your entire family in Springfield, Missouri ~ The Birthplace of Route 66!

We can't wait for you to visit our new temporary exhibit, "Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66's Centennial" and our popular Birthplace of Route 66 Gallery at the History Museum on the Square!

🗺️ The Official 2026 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Map is HERE!

🔗 Check out Route66FestivalSGF.com/maps-guide for a larger, downloadable version as well as the Car & Motorcycle Village Map and the official road closure map!

161 years ago on July 21st, 1865, the first documented shootout of the Wild West happened on the Springfield Square. This legendary story has been sensationalized, but here are the facts:

🤝 The two men involved in the shootout — James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok and Davis Tutt — were acquaintances, but things quickly turned less friendly this day.
💰 Leading up to the shootout, they had been arguing about a gambling debt that Hickok owed Tutt. As collateral, Tutt took Hickok's pocket watch.
⌚ Hickok threatened violence if Tutt was seen walking around the Square with the pocket watch. The next day, Hickok saw Tutt showing off the pocket watch, and the two men drew their guns.
🎯Tutt missed, and Hickok struck Tutt in the chest. He died on the steps of the courthouse.
🏦 Hickok was later acquitted, with a jury ruling of self defense.

To commemorate this famous gunfight, there are markers on the Square that show where they were standing — see Tutt's near College Street and Hickok's near South Street. However, after examining some primary source documents earlier this year, former Greene County Library Local History Associate Claire Porter discovered that this is not the case. To read more about her research, check out this article:

https://www.thelibrary.org/post/new-findings-regarding-the-1865-hickok-tutt-shootout

To learn more about the first shootout of the Wild West, come visit our Wild Bill Hickok & the American West Gallery!

Original photograph by Charles Scholten of Springfield, Missouri, ca. 1865.
Photocopy courtesy of the History Museum on the Square.

Happy !

😎Summer is in full swing, and in the Ozarks, that means spending more time outdoors. Although this summer in Springfield has been fairly overcast and mild so far, temperatures will begin heating up soon.

📷This photo from ca. 1900 shows three ladies wading in a creek near Crystal Cave (.crystalcave). Take some time this weekend to follow suit and take a dip in your local creek, river, or lake!



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.

History Museum on the Square is hiring a First Impressions Coordinator. We need your smiling face, excitement regarding tourism, and history to join our team. Check the link for the job description and how to apply.

Jobs and Careers - History Museum on the Square - Springfield, MO Looking for a museum career? Love history? We're always looking for passionate lovers of Springfield, MO history to work at our museum.

Join us at the History Museum on the Square during this amazing event!

🎉🇺🇸 Happy 250th Independence Day! See you in August!

🎉Happy Independence Day!

🎆 America's 250th birthday calls for celebration! This is how Springfield has celebrated throughout the years:

1️⃣ On July 4th, 1876, a centennial celebration was held at the newly-built Fairbanks Hall on the Drury University campus. On this same day, Springfield politician Pony Boyd delivered a speech from the second floor balcony of the building in which he dubbed Springfield the "Queen City of the Ozarks".

2️⃣ A crowd of people gathers — whether on foot, on wagons, or on top of awnings — in the Springfield Square to celebrate Independence Day in 1892.

3️⃣ Swimmers participate in race at Doling Park Lake on July 4th, 1915.

4️⃣ Traditionally, celebratory fireworks were set off at Doling Park Lake on Independence Day. This photo was taken facing the north end of Doling Park Lake on July 4th, 1922.

Beat the heat before your evening festivities with a visit to the History Museum on the Square! 🎆

As we gear up for a fun-filled weekend of friends, family, and fireworks, the History Museum on the Square team wants to let you know that we are OPEN this Saturday, July 4th, from 10 am to 5 pm!

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Come join our team! History Museum on the Square is taking applications for the Education Manager position. Check the website for details:

Jobs and Careers - History Museum on the Square - Springfield, MO Looking for a museum career? Love history? We're always looking for passionate lovers of Springfield, MO history to work at our museum.

Celebrate America 250 with the History Museum on the Square!
Starting July 1st, our Democracy in Action exhibit panels will be on display in the lobby for all to see. Throughout July, visitors to the museum can explore the history of civic engagement in Springfield as we celebrate 250 years of democracy in the nation we call home!