All industrial & heritage museums to visit in Missouri

Explore the impact of industry on society at 15 industrial heritage museums in Missouri. These museums showcase the history of manufacturing, technology, and labor.

Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in Missouri:

  1. City Museum1

    City Museum

     St. Louis, MO
    The City Museum, situated in St. Louis, Missouri, is housed in the building of the former International Shoe Company factory. This unique location adds a touch of industrial charm to the museum, making it a distinctive landmark in the city.
  2. National Museum of Transportation2

    National Museum of Transportation

     Des Peres, MO
    The National Museum of Transportation is a specialized museum that houses a collection of various transport items. These items are predominantly related to land transport, including road and rail. Visitors can expect to see a range of old cars, motorcycles, trucks, trains, trams/streetcars, buses, trolleybuses, and coaches. This diverse collection provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of land transportation over the years.
  3. Anheuser-Busch3

    Anheuser-Busch

     St. Louis, MO
    Within the grounds of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, you'll find the Lyon Schoolhouse Museum. This museum houses a collection of rare mementos that trace the history of the company from its founding to the present day. It provides a unique insight into the evolution of the brewery and its impact on the beer industry.
  4. St. Louis Union Station4

    St. Louis Union Station

     St. Louis, MO
    St. Louis Union Station, a National Historic Landmark in the United States, is a former passenger train terminal located in St. Louis, Missouri. This historic site, once the world's largest and busiest train station, has been transformed into a hotel, shopping center, and entertainment complex. Today, it only serves local transportation: Metrolink.
  5. Kansas City Museum5

    Kansas City Museum

     Kansas City, MO
    The Kansas City Museum is a historic site located in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It was originally built in 1910 as a private family estate by lumber baron and civic leader Robert A. Long. The estate, named Corinthian Hall, was donated by Long's heirs in 1940 to become a public museum. Today, it stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural heritage.
  6. Steamboat Arabia Museum6

    Steamboat Arabia Museum

     Kansas City, MO
    The Arabia Steamboat Museum, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is a unique historical institution that houses a vast collection of artifacts recovered from the Arabia, a steamboat that tragically sank in the Missouri River in 1856. The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the everyday items that were onboard the steamboat when it sank.
  7. Hallmark Visitors Center7

    Hallmark Visitors Center

     Kansas City, MO
    Hallmark Cards, a renowned American company known for its greeting cards and party goods, was founded by Joyce Hall on January 10, 1910. The company's headquarters are located in Kansas City, Missouri, a city known for its vibrant culture and history.
  8. Missouri Mines State Historic Site8

    Missouri Mines State Historic Site

     Park Hills, MO
    The Missouri Mines State Historic Site is a significant industrial monument that spans ten hectares. It is situated in Park Hills, within the St. Francois County of Missouri. This site offers a unique glimpse into the industrial history of the region and the United States as a whole.
  9. Bollinger Mill State Historic Site9

    Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

     Burfordville, MO
    The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is a state-owned property located in Burfordville, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. This site preserves a mill and a covered bridge, both of which were built before the American Civil War. The mill and the bridge are significant historical landmarks that provide a glimpse into the past, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the area and the people who lived there.
  10. Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site10

    Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

     Lawson, MO
    Watkins Mill, located in Lawson, Missouri, is a well-preserved woolen mill that dates back to the mid-19th century. It is protected as the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, which not only preserves the mill itself but also its machinery and business records. This site offers a unique glimpse into the industrial history of the United States.
  11. Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum11

    Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum

     St. Louis, MO
    The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum is situated at 12 Hancock Ave in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri. This location is easily accessible and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the rich history of telecommunication in a historic setting.
  12. Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum12

    Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum

     Maryland Heights, MO
    The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum is situated at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri. This location is easily accessible and provides a unique setting for the museum, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of an active airport.
  13. 13

    Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad

     Belton, MO
    The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad (SHRX) is a unique attraction located in Belton, Missouri. It serves as both a short line passenger railroad and a museum, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich history of railroads in the region. The museum showcases various locomotives, cars, and equipment, providing an immersive experience for railroad enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
  14. 14

    NRA National Sporting Arms Museum

     Springfield, MO
    The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) was established in New York in 1871. Originally, it was an organization that advocated for marksmanship for military personnel. However, in more recent times, it has become a proponent for the right of citizens to own firearms. This shift in focus has made the NRA a significant and influential organization in the United States.
  15. 15

    Pony Express Museum

     St. Joseph, MO
    The Pony Express Museum, located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, is a transport museum that documents the history of the Pony Express. This was the first fast mail line that spanned the North American continent, stretching from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast. The museum provides a comprehensive look into this significant part of American history.