About
MUSEUM OPEN WED-SATURDAY
10:00 TO 4:00
YEAR AROUND!
Proud Member of
Old Trails Regional Tourism Partnership
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Kansas City Historical Society
Pony Express Museum
Civil War round Table of Western Missouri
Legends of America
American Association for State and Local History
Triple A Travel Guide 2010
Days Open- Wednesday through Saturday- 10:00-:400 p.m.
901 West Royle Street, Richmond, Missouri 64085
Open Year Around
Mission Statement
Our mission is to collect, preserve and present the history and culture of the people of Ray County, Misouri and the families who pioneered the area to make it the County it is today.
Through our exhibits, research facilities and many other services and eents, the museum seeks to inspire visitors in matters of local history.
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The Ray County Historical Society was established in the 1950’s. It became a large group of the community who wanted to not only preserve our history of Ray County, Missouri, but to educate the next generations of our past.
In 1973, we found a home for our Ray County Museum. Built as a Poor farm in 1910, this stately Georgian, brick building was standing on its original 25 acres on a small bluff and looking out toward our town square. The County owned the building and willingly agreed to allow us to use this for our museum.
In 1974, we had our ground-breaking of our ‘ gem’ in the heart of Ray County. Governor Kit Bond and several other State Representatives helped us celebrate that day in October. When we first opened, there were four displayed rooms. All restored to their natural beauty, and furnished with special artifacts. Now, we have 37 rooms displayed and more coming!
From the early 1800’s to the 1940’s, we have special artifacts, the history of Ray County displayed in one building.
Three floors of displays, varied in themes, and guided tours, walking tours, visitors from around the globe!
We offer a ‘full service’ to our guests. From booked teas in the formal parlor, to costume rental, gift shop and historical publications for sale, and, of course events.
The museum is open year around. The tours are free, but a donation is always appreciated.
- Civil War room
- Period Doctor’s office
- One Room School Room representing the 90+ schools in the area in this period
- Authentic parlor
- Old Farmers Shed complete with a “Go-Devil”
- Wildlife room
- Conservation Room
- Clothing displays of beautiful gowns and men’s clothing. We have one of the best displays of vintage costumes in the country. Displayed for easy viewing and study.
- Climate controlled Quilt room
- Lower floor is a beautiful open Reception area where you will be treated with period pieces along with fully accessible historical library. Books containing family histories, County history, etc.
Make your plans to include coming to the beautiful grounds and tour our ‘themed’ rooms to let your children and yourselves enjoy the peace and calm of yester-year.
Please feel free to contact me at:
FREE TOURS/ADMISSION- (DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED)
FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT 
CONTACT THE CURATOR
KAREN BUSH
TO BOOK THE FORMAL PARLOR. TEAS, MEETINGS, RECEPTIONS
RED HATTERS, SORORITY, ORGANIZATIONS
816-776-2305-MUSEUM
If you belong to a group, organization, schools, please contact me and we will be more than happy to accommodate!
DAYS/HOURS
WED-SATURDAY- 10:00-4:00
SPECIAL TOURS- PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
We have a full time curator and volunteers are there to help with tours.
Come and join us, see why we’re so proud of the ‘old girl’!
Volunteers to help man the museum, or, just to help with an event are More than welcome.
Of course, we offer membership to our Historical Society with a newsletter (The Mirror) included.
You can send your subscription or donation by check or money order to:
Ray County Historical Society
PO Box #2
All back issues of our mirror are $5.00 per copy
We’re located on the West side of the town square.
901 West Royle Street (next to the Fairgrounds)
BOARD MEMBERS- 2009
Jim Carter- President-scrpnjc@hotmail.com
David Blythe-lawsonreview@juno.com
Karen Windsor Bush- Secretary, raycountymuseum@yahoo.com
Jan Jackson- Treasurer
Mac Proffitt
A.J. Phipps
Jean Hamacher
Hal Middleton
Don Forlow
Bruce White
Rod Fields
Terri McWilliams
Carter Rogers
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Disclaimer
This
website and the information it contains are provided as a public service.
Restriction of Liability
We make no claim, promise or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this website. As history and history research goes, there are always different sides of an issue. We weren’t there and have to depend on written and oral history by others before us.
No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory for freedom from computer virus is given with respect to the contents of this website or its hyperlinks to other Internet resources.
Adding content by a contributor does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by RCHS.
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