Visit and rediscover influences of our past
The decisions of those before you have influenced where you are today
Find your ancestors in our genealogy and Research Library
“Why’s the architecture of our downtown buildings like that?” “Why do so many things in town have that name?” “What was life like here during the Civil War?” “Who was my great-grandmother married to?”
All these questions and more can be probably answered in our Research Library.
The recently preserved Schowengerdt House
Built overlooking Warrenton, this gorgeous three-story home includes period-accurate furnishings, artwork, and more.
It’s also newly restored and preserved and is already hosting small events with more great additions to come.
Recent posts and news
A look back at playtime before screens, when Christmas came in the Sears Catalog
Before screens took over, kids played with catalog-ordered toys, oranges at Christmas, and their own imaginations. A new exhibit at the museum looks back at this era, with items like a toy Jewett car and 1950s farm set on display. Explore the lost art of play this summer.
EXTENDED! New childhood toys exhibit on display through September
Now through August 31, relive your summer vacation with this special exhibit of toys, games, books, and more.
1904 Wabash Train derailment kills 8, injures 50, and rallies Warren County
In 1904, a Wabash Railroad train derailed near Warrenton, killing eight and injuring fifty. The wreck exposed the dangers of high-speed travel on poorly maintained tracks, prompted a major local rescue effort, and led to a legal battle over railroad negligence. It also highlighted ongoing safety challenges facing the rapidly expanding railroad industry.
How the “noble experiment” of Prohibition failed the Missouri Rhineland
Missourians, especially in the Rhineland, strongly opposed Prohibition, resisting both the law and the cultural pressures it brought. Amid widespread defiance, the region also endured harsh anti-German sentiments, as local traditions and livelihoods were targeted during a time of national upheaval.
Warrenton prepares for Taft Day, spectacle may “never be seen here again”
In October 1908, presidential nominee William Howard Taft made a campaign stop in Warrenton, drawing a large crowd from the town and nearby communities. He spoke briefly from his train, leaving a lasting impression on the local residents that affected the election outcome.
Hello? Number please? Warren County’s first telephones arrive
The arrival of telegraph and telephone technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries transformed communication across the country, including in Warrenton. These advances connected communities like never before and laid the groundwork for modern networks.