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Kirksville, Missouri  >  Kirksville Attractions  >  Historic Attractions

Historic Attractions

Adair County Historical Society Museum
The Historical Museum is filled with many artifacts including several pioneer items, Native American relics and arrowheads, and collections of military objects, including the cannonball that struck the courthouse in 1862 during the Battle of Kirksville.

Attractions Still National Osteopathic Museum
The museum showcases the evolution of Osteopathic Medicine from its beginnings in Kirksville until today. The collection of original documents and other artifacts span 150 years.

Exhibition of Amtrak History
Two Amtrak train baggage cars house train and Amtrak memorabilia including menus and dishes used on passenger trains.

Coal Miner’s Museum/ Novinger Log Homestead
The Coal Miner’s Museum contains coal mining items, farm antiques and memorabilia from local businesses. Trace the history of coal mining in Northern Missouri from its peak into the mid-1900's.

Native American Petroglyphs
Located in Thousand Hills State Park, rock formations containing historic Native American carvings can be found in a sheltered exhibit.

Historic Collections
At Pickler Memorial Library on Truman's campus, the library has a variety of rare books and historic artifacts in their Special Collections, including ancient Cuneiform tablets.

The Cabins
The earliest settlement in Adair County was located near the Chariton River. This site is also the location where a conflict with Native Americans led to bloodshed further up the river.

Ruth Towne Museum
Truman State University houses a wide-range of memorabilia and artifacts from Missouri’s history in the Ruth Towne Museum, located at the corner of Franklin and Normal. The museum also houses the University’s Office of Admission.

Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial, located on Highway 63, commemorates the sacrifices of area men and women who have served in the military. Alongside the Veterans’ memorial is a WW I German Howitzer as well as a Civil War Cannon.

The Battle of Kirksville
In 1862, Kirksville was the site of an important battle which cemented northern Missouri for the Union. The mass grave of executed Confederate soldiers is marked in the Forest Llewellyn cemetery a few blocks west of Kirksville’s Square.