Historic Preservation St. Joseph

08/31/2026

08/16/2026

Downtown Saint Joseph is home to some beautiful architecture. Including the Christ Episcopal Church, who say they’ve been “In the heart of Saint Joseph since 1851” 📍 see this beautiful building in person at 207 N 7th St. Saint Joseph, MO

08/15/2026

08/07/2026

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we reflect on the history that has shaped our nation.

Join us at the Downtown Library on Friday, August 14 at 1 p.m. as genealogy librarian Marina Trifan will be exploring the history of the Eden Musee, a popular Dime Museum during the 1880's and 90's, and the cast of characters that passed through St. Joseph.

For adults. Light beverages and snacks will be served.

07/27/2026

💝 Historical Restoration Enthusiast? This is your rare opportunity to lovingly enjoy Hall Street Bailey–Tootle Mansion, the historic, iconic Victorian residence located at 802 Hall Street in Saint Joseph.

📍Open House | Saturday, 7/25
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Michelle Harris, REALTOR
816-752-1789
ReeceNichols Ide Capital Realty, LLC

07/22/2026

Make Your Voice Heard on the Future of I-229

Yesterday, MoDOT attended the Main Street Saint Joseph board meeting regarding the Future of I-229, the corridor that carries traffic through downtown St. Joseph on the iconic double-decker bridge along the Missouri River.

As part of the project, the existing double-decker bridge will be removed and replaced with a four-lane roadway. MoDOT has stated that they intend to include a downtown exit, but just where that exit might be has not yet been determined. They encouraged those who feel strongly about its location to share their thoughts.
If you believe maintaining convenient access to downtown is important, now is the time to speak up!

Our hope is that the downtown exit remains in the heart of downtown, ideally very close to its current location. (Exit 6A, the Central Business District exit - Edmond St / Felix St). Easy interstate access is critical for our downtown businesses, restaurants, attractions, the Civic Arena, and a future hotel, and the many events that bring residents and visitors downtown. Keeping downtown easily accessible helps support economic growth and encourages travelers to stop and explore St. Joseph.

Your email doesn’t have to be lengthy. Whether it’s a few sentences or a more detailed explanation, every message helps. Public input truly does make a difference!

To learn more about the project, including a project summary, updated design, timeline, news, and to sign up for email updates, visit https://www.modot.org/projects/stjoe229

To share your comments with the project team, email [email protected].

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help shape the future of downtown St. Joseph.

07/20/2026

07/16/2026

In anticipation of the Missouri Theater and City Hall turning 100 next summer, two free Centennial Celebration Series Speaker’s Bureau events will be taking place later this month. On Monday, July 27, join speaker Lori McAlister as she presents "Waylande Gregory – A Genius in Our Town, Ornamenting St Joseph’s City Hall and Missouri Theater" at the East Hills Library Auditorium, located at 502 N Woodbine, from 6-7:30pm. On Tuesday, July 28, join speaker Sarah Elder as she presents “Prohibition & Progress – St Joseph in the 1920s” at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art auditorium, located at 2818 Frederick, from 5-6pm.

Starting in October/November 1926 and completing the assignment in April 1927, a 21-year-old art prodigy from Baxter Springs, KS put his unique creative mark on St Joseph to be admired well beyond his lifetime. Waylande Gregory’s sculpting and plaster casting abilities are on glorious display inside City Hall (plaster ceilings in the Atrium and Mayor’s office) and in the Missouri Theater. Just enter these rooms and your eyes are drawn upward, capturing your imagination and transporting you to worlds created at the hands of Waylande Gregory. Join Gregory enthusiast, Lori McAlister, to track the trajectory of his rise to fame as America’s foremost ceramist in the 1930’s and 40’s and his subsequent fall from favor into obscurity.

The 1920s were indeed roaring in St Joseph. In addition to construction of City Hall and The Missouri Theater, the St Joseph Museums and The Parkway System also came into their own. The optimism and investments of those times is still evident today. Sarah Elder will provide some context for the local enthusiasm and paint a broader picture of this “high tide” before the economic crash and Great Depression brought many plans to a halt.