109 Madison Street,
Jefferson City, MO
(573)-635-1850
Admission: Adults - $3; Seniors $2; children $1
https://www.colecountyhistoricalmuseum.org/
Opened in 1948.
The Historical Society was formed in 1941 and by 1948 they had opened their first museum. They own two adjacent row houses close to the riverfront that were built in 1871. They are across the street from the Governor's Mansion.
The Goller Room on the first floor has permanent as well as rotating displays.
The current rotating display is about the early history of Missouri - pre-European.
The display case holds a variety of items.
The permanent display is full of artifacts such as this 1870 bicycle. It was the first and oldest bicycle in Jefferson City.
This sewing machine is also from the 1870's. It was probably used in the home to complete work for the manufacturing industry.
This spinning wheel was brought on a boat from Germany into Missouri in the 1850's.
This Edison Combination Type Gramophone played cylinder records lasting 2 or 4 minutes. It is from 1905.
This large loom sits in the middle of the museum room.
This Edison Kinetoscope Movie Projector was used in a movie theater in Jefferson City. It dates back to 1900.
On the second floor is the drawing room. The ornately carved writing table was presented to Governor David Rowland Francis (1889-1893) for serving as President of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. The bookcase against the wall is one of the oldest pieces from the Price mansion. It was brought to Missouri by General and Mrs. Price when they moved from Charlottesville, Virginia about 1829-1831. The curtains in the glass door sections are sealed in and have never been removed since the bookcase was built. The marble is from Italy.
A chief fireman trumpet on game table.
Rosewood Square Grand Piano purchased by the great grandfather of Governor Hyde (1921-1925)
This gold leaf pier mirror was made in France from architect's specifications, circa 1854.
An antique rosewood melodeon organ, patented in 1846. This reed organ with original leather bellows is believed to be from the 1840's.
Intricate chandelier in drawing room.
On the remainder of this second floor is their inaugural gown collection. This is the only museum in the country to display inaugural gowns of its state's First Ladies at times throughout the year. This is the inaugural ball gown worn in 1909 by First Lady Agnes Hadley, wife of the 32nd governor. The satin gown has a beaded lace yoke and long chiffon sleeves.
This inaugural ball gown was worn by First Lady Geraldine Dalton in 1961 when her husband became governor. The gown is actually light blue with a slight train, cap sleeves, and lace applique outlined in silver.
First Lady Jean Carnahan worn this black chiffon gown when husband Mel was inaugurated for his second term in 1997. It has black and silver sequins, black bead-work, and silver threads. The black suede shoes are from the 1940's.
First Lady Jeannette V. Gardner, shown in the portrait, wore this gown to her husband's 1917 inaugural ball.
On display in this cabinet are the china and crystal used by Governor Samuel Baker while he was in office, 1925-1929. The collection includes 8 place settings (displayed on the middle shelf) of Heinrich and Company (Serb, Bavaria) china, hand-decorated and painted with 23 K gold over floral-etched design.
And before we leave the DeLong Room we see some antique fans with the language of usage posted!
Missouri was the scene of the Northern-most battle of the Civil War, the first Ironclads, the first battle of an African American regiment, the largest cavalry operation in American military history, and of unparalleled guerrilla war. Therefore it is not surprising that part of the third floor is dedicated to the Civil War in Cole County. 
The large mural below was painted by Jonathan Humfleet and depicts scenes from Harper's Weekly magazine in 1861. In the middle of the painting one sees the old capitol building overlooking the Missouri River.
There is a mock Recruiting Office.
There is a display dedicated to the Civil War musicians.
This jacket belonged to a Confederate cavalry musician.
Civil War artifacts!
This was a surgeon's kit used by a military doctor.
There are two furnished bedrooms on this floor. The Price Bedroom was named for Thomas Lawson Price, a wealthy and distinguished man who brought his family to Jefferson City in 1829-1831.
This walnut child's crib was brought to Jefferson City from Virginia in 1850. It has a hand-crocheted canopy.
This is an 11-piece semi-porcelain toilette set.
And a toilet from later years.
In the hallway is displayed the traditional boxed decoration made from hair of the family members.
The B. Gratz Brown Bedroom holds many furnishings and items that belonged to Governor Brown's family.
This is a typical sewing table that has a special pull-out area to hold the sewing when not working on it.
Also in this bedroom is a low table whose top is this framed bouquet made of wool flowers. Wool flowers were used in wedding bouquets when fresh flowers were not growing.
The fourth and final floor is called Granny's Attic and is basically a view-able storage area. Just like in most attics, these items are meaningful but not currently being used.
This 1948 Hallicrafters Model T67 television was the first TV in Jeff City. It was a working demo unit in a store showroom and could pick up one channel.
A number of the antique items are displayed on shelves.
This Coleman self-heating iron is from the 1930's.
A mixture of dolls lying in an antique crib.
A child's folding chair circa 1860's.
Assay scales used for ore samples.
Our day at the museum was even more complete with lunch at Prison Brews.
We loved the steak salad!
And the bar-stools!
But probably the biggest highlight was our trip to Central Dairy - the go-to place of Jeff City.
We were talked into ordering the banana split! Too much but so good!
Comment: The historical society has done a nice job putting together this museum. There is a wide variety of displays that cover many aspects of history. Probably the highlight for us was the display of inaugural gowns. Unfortunately they rotate them in order to help preserve them so you only see a portion of the collection at any one visit.
A group must have ten visitors in it to be eligible for a private tour but our State Senator's office called the museum and was able to arrange a private tour for the eight of us which was very nice.
If you plan to visit be sure to check the website for days and hours that it is open. There are student groups that go through this museum but fortunately we were not there when the students were!
Central Dairy is a must! Inexpensive and the ice cream tastes so good!
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