Our Mission is to Enhance Awareness of Clay County Missouri’s Past through Preservation and Presentation of our County’s History

The Clay County Historical Society & Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum that runs solely on Donations and our Generous Friends, Members and Volunteers. 

We have a wide range of artifacts; all from Clay County, Missouri.  We have 3 floors full of history.  Our historical artifacts range from the 1790s to the present day.  Our goal is to preserve and share the stories of our county’s past with the public.  We are Not only do we have a history within our building but the building itself is rich with history.

Our building is 170+ years old and was originally home to a dry-goods agency, a pharmacy and also a doctor’s office.  In 1963, the building was transformed into the museum we know and love today.  For 60+ years we have served as a museum, ever-changing with new artifacts and updated displays.  Everything we have has been donated or on-loan by the people of Clay County, Missouri.

We offer historical artifacts ranging from Native Americans, the Civil War, World War 1, World War 2, the Mormon Migration, the history of the founding families of Clay County, and so much more. The upstairs of our building, once served as Dr. Goodson’s office, and is still there today; not functioning in the same way of course, but reflective of what it looked like so many years ago. We have a collection of his medical equipment and instruments.

Our lower floor is full of history from the 1800’s when Western Missouri served as the stepping off point for many families heading west into the unknown territories. A loom was donated to us from Watkins Woolen Mill in nearby Lawson, MO. Additionally, we have a variety of old tools used for farming, carpentry, mining and ice cutting.

Come by and Visit Us – Admission is Always FREE, however Donations help keep us going!     

Thank You in Advance!

On Veterans Day and Every Day – THANK YOU!

See Below for Hours of Operation, Contact and Directions