You know that St. Joseph is the home of the Pony Express, but there’s much more to this city and its art and history! Whether you love to check out something new or dig into some amazing history, there are many exciting museums to explore in St. Joe.
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art: This is the place to begin your tour of local museums. The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art promotes emerging artists from a four-state region and is nationally recognized for its advocacy of American art. It features an outstanding collection of 18th to 21st century American art, considered one of the best in the Midwest.
Plan one to two hours for your visit to the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, open every day except Monday.
Glore Psychiatric Museum: The largest of its kind in the world, this St. Joseph treasure chronicles the history of psychiatric treatment. You will see historic treatments, artwork by psychiatric patients and therapy methods. It’s a fascinating look at State Hospital #2, which opened in St. Joseph in 1874.
The Glore Psychiatric Museum is part of St. Joseph Museums, which explores the unique history of St. Joseph.
Jesse James Home: Get to know a local outlaw when you visit the Jesse James Home. Originally located at 1318 Lafayette Street, it now sits on the corner of the lot that houses the Patee House Museum. It was here that Jesse James was shot and killed in 1883.
While you’re on site, explore the Patee House Museum, a historic hotel that served as headquarters for the Pony Express.
Pony Express Museum: Visit the stables where the legendary Pony Express began. These stables were the eastern terminus, and today they are full of interactive displays and immersive exhibits. Learn how the riders and community shaped the Pony Express when you explore the Hall of Riders exhibit.
Remington Nature Center: Located in historic St. Joseph, Remington Nature Center offers natural beauty combined with local history for a picturesque experience. The museum is situated on the Missouri River and offers a glimpse into life along the waterway, including a beaver dam exhibit and a 7,000-gallon native fish aquarium. Be sure to check out the indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts!
Wyeth-Tootle Mansion: This showcase of 19th-century opulence and luxury was built in 1879 to resemble the castles along the Rhine in Germany. Explore 43 rooms across three floors of the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, where you will see exceptional woodwork, hand-painted ceilings and ornate decorations in every room.
This museum is open on Friday and Saturday from April to October.
There are many more St. Joseph museums to visit! Make exploring one of these gems a weekly outing and get to know all of the amazing history and art St. Joe has to offer!