Wyeth-Tootle Mansion

06/13/2026

In 2027, St. Joseph will mark a remarkable milestone—the 100th anniversary of the Missouri Theatre, one of our city’s most iconic architectural treasures.
This historic photograph captures Edmond Street in its golden era, with the Missouri Theatre’s towering vertical sign glowing above the bustle of downtown. Opened in 1927, the theatre was designed as a true “movie palace,” complete with ornate detailing, grand interiors, and the kind of marquee that made every night feel like a premiere.
For generations, the Missouri Theatre has been a place where St. Joseph gathered—first for silent films and vaudeville, later for concerts, community events, and performances that continue to bring the arts to life in our city.
As we approach its centennial year, we celebrate not only the building itself, but the memories, stories, and shared experiences it has given our community for nearly a century.
Here’s to 100 years of lights, music, and magic in downtown St. Joseph.

06/12/2026

Today we’re spotlighting one of St. Joseph’s earliest and most influential institutions: the St. Joseph Gazette and its sister publications, the Herald and the later Gazette‑Herald.
The Gazette began publishing in 1845, followed by the Herald in 1852, serving a growing frontier community hungry for news, civic updates, and national reporting . In August 1900, the two papers merged to form the Gazette‑Herald, headquartered at the busy corner of 7th & Edmond—a crossroads of commerce, conversation, and community life. The Gazette‑Herald continued publication until March 29, 1902 .
This historic photograph of the newspaper staff captures a moment in time when journalism was built on ink‑stained hands, long hours, and a deep commitment to documenting the life of St. Joseph. These were the people who shaped the stories, preserved the milestones, and kept the community connected.
As we continue to explore and share the city’s past, images like this remind us how vital local journalism has always been to the heartbeat of St. Joseph.

06/11/2026

Today we’re taking a step back into St. Joseph’s entertainment history with this 1926 photograph of the newly remodeled Electric Theater—a beloved landmark once located at 712 Edmond Street.
Originally opened in 1910 as the Majestic Theater, the venue hosted silent films and vaudeville acts before being renamed the Electric Theater in 1915. By 1926, the building was completely rebuilt into what locals fondly remember as the “new Electric Theater,” complete with a brilliant 550‑bulb marquee sign that lit up Edmond Street.
For decades, the Electric Theater was a weekend tradition for St. Joseph families—cartoons, newsreels, Three Stooges shorts, serials like Flash Gordon, and double‑feature B‑movies filled the screen. Many still recall the smell of Wakely’s orange drink and hot dogs drifting from the snack stand just west of the theater.
The Electric Theater closed its doors after its final shows on October 28, 1961, and the building was later razed in 1977, but its memory remains a bright part of our city’s cultural story.
Sharing images like this helps us preserve the vibrant history of St. Joseph’s neighborhoods, businesses, and gathering places—one photograph at a time.

06/10/2026

Behind the scenes at the St. Joseph Museums, an exciting preservation effort is underway. Many of the historic Edmond Eckel blueprints—fragile, oversized documents that capture more than a century of architectural history—are currently being digitized as part of an ongoing multi‑year project.
These blueprints offer an extraordinary window into the growth of St. Joseph and the surrounding region. Schools, public buildings, commercial blocks, and community landmarks were shaped by the hands of architects like Eckel & Aldrich and their collaborators, leaving a visual record of how our communities were built.
One example currently being digitized is the Union Star School blueprint set, originally created in 1914 and revised in 1953. Preserving the architectural story of a rural Missouri school that served generations of students .
Digitizing these materials ensures they can be safely accessed by researchers, educators, preservationists, and community members—without risking damage to the delicate originals.
We’re proud to help safeguard these irreplaceable documents and share the architectural legacy of northwest Missouri with future generations.

06/09/2026

Take a step back in time with us as we highlight a unique piece of St. Joseph’s downtown history: Jim Nikes’ Sanitary Lunch, once located at 721 Edmond Street.
This small but lively lunch counter served the community through the 1940s and 1950s, offering quick meals just steps from the Missouri Theater. Before becoming Sanitary Lunch, the building housed several early businesses—including the St. Joseph Candy Kitchen, W.R. Woodworth Optician, and Edward Brandow Stationery—reflecting the steady commercial heartbeat of Edmond Street.
During World War II, the space even supported humanitarian efforts when it was used by the Greek War Relief Association, a reminder of the strong immigrant presence that helped shape St. Joseph’s cultural landscape.
Historic photographs capture the classic counter seating, bustling atmosphere, and storefront views that once defined this downtown favorite. Today, these images help preserve the story of everyday life in mid‑century St. Joseph.

06/08/2026

Members, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is here. Join us on July 2 at 6 PM for the Grand Re‑Opening of the Wyeth‑Tootle Mansion during our Annual Membership Meeting—a night that marks a new chapter for this beloved St. Joseph landmark.
Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the meeting beginning at 6 PM, followed by an All‑American Picnic Dinner catered by Spanky & Buckwheat’s.
This special evening celebrates the Mansion’s America 250 renovation project, made possible through a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council. Members will be the first to explore three newly opened historic spaces—closed for decades—along with refreshed exhibits and updates throughout the first and second floors.
Get your tickets now! https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/zk38ew
We look forward to welcoming you back into the Mansion as we reopen its doors and step into its next era together.

06/05/2026

Today, we celebrate and honor someone who has been a steady, trusted, and deeply valued part of the St. Joseph Museums family for many years. Please join us in thanking Anita Sontheimer, Financial Services Manager, for her remarkable dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Anita’s work has supported every corner of the Museum—from daily operations to long‑term sustainability—and her care for this organization has made a lasting impact on our staff, our members, and our community. As she begins her well‑earned retirement, we wish her joy, rest, and all the wonderful adventures ahead.
Please join us in thanking Anita, for everything. You will always be part of the St. Joseph Museums story.

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

If you had your picture taken at the Frog Hop Event last week, those are all now available for download here! They are located in the album - Rewind to the Frog Hop - 2026. Thank you all for attending and supporting your St. Joseph Museums!

05/30/2026

A HUGE thank you to everyone who attended Rewind: A Time Travel Soiree to the Frog Hop with us last night! It was a “hopping” good time!! Also a great big thank you to our sponsors - Gray Manufacturing, Clarios, Commerce Bank, News-Press Gazette, Matt Cathey Shelter Insurance, Veritas Buildings, John Josendale, Eileen Dyer and Carol Meyers!