Mountain Grove History and Arts Council

02/25/2026

02/20/2026

🇺🇸 Help Celebrate America’s Heritage 🇺🇸
Join the Heritage Festival Committee!
Across the “fruited plains” of the USA this year, people will be seeking meaningful ways to celebrate and places to visit that honor the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and our great country.
We invite you to join the Mtn. Grove Heritage Festival Committee as we plan a fun and memorable festival for August 7 & 8. The theme this year is “Red, White, and True Blue.” Although the July 4th celebration of Independence Day 1776 is a key part of our American story, it’s only the beginning—the war for independence spanned several years, and our festival will honor the full journey.
If you’re interested in helping plan the 2026 Heritage festival, which celebrates our nation and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there are many ways to get involved—whether you want to contribute a little or a lot. We already have some plans underway, are brainstorming new ideas, and would welcome your creativity and new ideas.
Join us at the Loft (5th St. and Main) on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. Whether you’re a student of history, a proud American, a storyteller, an actor, outdoorsman, visitor, or vendor, this year’s festival promises to be legendary!

01/28/2026

12/14/2025

TubaChristmas to Carry On 139-year-old Brass Tradition
There will be a live performance of TubaChristmas music in the historic bandstand on the Mtn. Grove square, Tuesday, December 16, at 7:00 p.m. An ensemble of low brass instruments (trombones, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas) will play a selection of traditional Christmas hymns and songs. The performance will last about 30 minutes.
According to Wikipedia, the first TubaChristmas was organized by Harvey G. Phillips to honor his tuba teacher William Bell who was born on Christmas Day 1902, and was held December 22, 1974, in the ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City. TubaChristmas is held in cities worldwide celebrating those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family.
Mtn. Grove has a long musical history beginning with a brass ensemble. In 1885, a Professor Baker who was to run a subscription school to replace the Old Academy also started “the Mtn. Grove Brass Band, the first band in the town, which was ‘able to discourse excellent music greatly to the credit of all concerned.’” This excerpt was taken from a Mountain Prospect news article dated May 14,, 1886, and reports the excitement and optimism the small community of Mtn. Grove was experiencing as businesses began to establish themselves around the square after the civil war.
The best way to enjoy this live Christmas music is with family and friends. Bring your family (and your lawn chairs and blankets). The friends and the Christmas music are waiting for you. TubaChristmas is free and open to the public.
If you play a low brass instrument and you are interested in playing in the TubaChristmas ensemble, please contact David Barbe at 417-838-0311 or [email protected]. Practice starts on Tuesday evening, December 2.

11/14/2025

🇺🇸 Veterans Day THANK YOU! 🇺🇸 – Nov 2025

The 18th annual Veterans Day celebration at school as well as the Mtn. Grove Veterans Day parade were educational, patriotic, and encouraging to all who attended.
Thank you to the VFW Post 3770 and the American Legion Post 30 for organizing the day’s events and presentations. Thank you to the students who submitted the inspiring speeches and essays and to Chief Master Seargent Byron Stuart who emphasized that even those who have not directly served in the military have been touched by the sacrifice of service of a friend or family member who served.
A big thank you to the MG Schools for hosting the assembly in the Arena and gathering all the students together to experience the story of America working together to defeat tyranny around the world. Thank you to Mike Causey for organizing the parade through town, keeping history alive.
We must never forget the sacrifices made by our men and women of the armed forces over the past 250 years since the country’s first battle for independence. The biggest thank you of all goes to them!