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Contact Us:660-388-5941 115 E 2nd St |
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The Historical Society was founded in 1956 by a group of people with a strong interest in preserving the heritage and history of Chariton County. The first county museum opened in the 1960's in the Lincoln School--a former Negro school, and now Peace Lutheran Church in Salisbury.
The increasing number of artifacts collected soon out-grew that space, and the present museum building--the former Fellow’s Hatchery, became available in 1971. After considerable renovation the present museum opened to the public in the late 1970’s. The present museum location has had a varied and glorious past that goes back to before the turn of the 20th century.
The museum actually encompasses four adjoining buildings all built prior to 1893.
Present | 1893 | 1899 | 1910 | 1916 |
Library & Veterans Room | Storage Building (16') | Millinery & Grocery Store | Warehouse | Laundry Ironing & Dry Clean with wash room behind |
Little Dixie Room | Blacksmith Shop (15') | Blacksmith Shop & Wagon Shop | Produce | Produce |
Hutchinson Tool Room | Carriage Repository (15') | Harness Shop | Produce | Produce |
Main Street Room | Grocery Store with IOOF hall in upstairs | Dry Goods & Grocery Store with IOOF in upstairs | Vacant with IOOF hall in upstairs | New & 2nd Hand Furniture with IOOF hall in upstairs |
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in preserving the history of Chariton County, Missouri. Since its conception in 1956, the Society has strived to preserve the history of Chariton County through its collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and other memorabilia.
The success of the Society depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses who support our efforts with their donations and membership dues. We encourage you to join with us in this endeavor by initiating your membership in the Chariton County Historical Society.
Membership is $15 annually.
Membership benefits include:
You can easily become a member of the Chariton County Historical Society by using our Membership Application below (requires Adobe Reader to view):
The museum is open from the first Tuesday in April, and will close for the winter months on the last Saturday in October. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm or by special appointment. Please Contact Us to schedule a convenient time for you. Guided tours are available, enjoy a scavenger hunt on a self-guided tour or just wander through the many rooms at your leisure.
Admission is FREE- donations are welcome!
There were approximately 203 cemeteries at one time in Chariton County many of which were family plots and now abandoned. We are focusing on photographing the unmaintained cemeteries at the present time. The photographs will be available to researchers through the Chariton County Historical Society and Museum. We are providing an index of the photographed stones in cemeteries that are either no longer active or have been abandoned and a listing of the maintained cemeteries that have been photographed. Photographs we have taken are being placed on findagrave.com
Family burying grounds, how secured
214.090. Any person desirous of securing family burying ground or cemetery on his or her lands, may convey to the county commission of the county in which the land lies any quantity of land not exceeding one acre, in trust for the purpose above mentioned, the deed for which to be recorded within sixty days after the conveyance; and such grounds, when so conveyed, shall be held in perpetuity as burying grounds or cemeteries for the use and benefit of the family and descendants of the person making such conveyance.
Definition: (21) “Family burying ground”, a cemetery in which no burial space is sold to the public and in which interments are restricted to persons related by blood or marriage.
(http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/chapters/chap214.htm)
Click on the name of a veteran to learn more about them.
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. The operation of the museum, and continued collection and preservation of the historic artifacts relies upon membership dues, financial gifts, fund-raisers, bookstore sales, and grants. All donations are tax deductible, and are greatly appreciated. Click below to donate.
Donations may be sent to Chariton County Historical Society at 115 E Second St., Salisbury, MO 65281. We appreciate your support of the Chariton County Historical Society & Museum.
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