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Missouri's Main Streets are places steeped with history. From local significance to national connections, each local Main Street in Missouri contains its own collection of traditions, heritage, and cultural expressions. Each local Main Street program celebrates, represents, and preserves their history in different ways through the historic preservation ethic within the Main Street Approach™.
Be a partner with MMSC through Heritage Circle to support MMSC in providing educational opportunities and resources to continue to celebrate and preserve their history.
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The History in Missouri's Main Streets | |
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"Ivers Square and the new City Hall, housed in the rehabilitated historic Court of Common Pleas and Carnegie Library buildings, are where Cape Girardeau comes together to celebrate. Ivers Square is named after an enslaved man who joined the Union Army on the first day African Americans were eligible to do so in Missouri. The repurposed courthouse and library located near the square, are places that represent the spirit that has shaped Cape’s dynamic and inclusive community for over 160 years."
Liz Haynes, Executive Director of Old Town Cape
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"The Sedalia Trust Building has been an architectural anchor in Downtown Sedalia since 1888 and it symbolizes perseverance for our entire community. The Great Depression only closed this bank’s doors for a period for six months in 1932, but two fires in 1997 forced it to remain empty for over two decades. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Brian and Kathi Smith and their entire CSC Construction Group, LLC team, the Sedalia Trust building reopened in May of 2023."
Joleigh Cornine, Executive Director of Sedalia Main Streets
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"The oldest building on Downtown Lebanon’s Commercial Street began as a leather shop and home to its owner-operators. A beloved landmark across from the U.S. Post Office, the building survived two fires that destroyed neighboring businesses.
In 2022, Downtown Lebanon awarded a façade grant for the structure’s restoration. Work is underway and the Vintage Flower Market continues as the charming ground-floor tenant. An apartment occupies the second floor. This was a flower shop directly east of the building."
Cynthia Coffman, Executive Director of Downtown Lebanon
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The Ways Main Streets Celebrate and Show Off Their History | |
Sedalia Main Streets hosted a walking tour in partnership with the Sedalia Historic Preservation Commission, with the assistance of Pettis County Historical Society, for participants to learn about the history of Sedalia and its public buildings. | |
While their community is known for celebrating President Truman and the Westward Trails, this year Independence Square Association is celebrating a local business that started production in 1923. They introduced Polly’s Pop PopFest celebrating all things that pop. From our local iconic soda and its bottling plant in their historic district to popcorn, pop tarts, cake pops, and bubbles, the festivities were enjoyed by the community. The evening ended with a pop concert and fireworks. | |
Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. (HDLI) has an annual tradition of offering collectible ornaments that feature iconic historical buildings or landmarks. This is a great way to add some historic charm to your holiday decor. Purchased ornaments, while also supporting HDLI's efforts to preserve the history of their beloved downtown. | |
In Cameron, Missouri, the Cameron Municipal Band performs a 10-week concert season every summer at 8 p.m. on Thursdays from June through August. The concert takes place in beautiful McCorkle Park, the town square in downtown Cameron. Since 1866, children have danced to the concert band’s music on the apron at the front of the pavilion and people of all ages have partaken in a pleasant small-town tradition of music and community. | |
In Trenton, Missouri they are keeping the history of their community’s roots preserved. The railroad, specifically the Rock Island Railroad, was a main terminal that brought out-of-town passengers from as far away as New York and Chicago, livestock, and workers who some can still say “I worked for the railroad.” You can see a snapshot of what it was like in Trenton with passengers in “Fancy attire” frequenting shops and restaurants depicted on a mural and visit Grundy County Museum to see an actual Rock Island Train car. | |
The Approach That Makes the Difference | |
Missouri Main Street Connection empowers communities through the Main Street Approach™ which was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America. By using preservation-based economic development, downtown districts in Missouri are thriving and making an impact on their community.
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You are invited to support Heritage Circle through a monetary donation. Your donation will have a lasting impact in the creation of memories in your community and many others. Your donation supports communities across Missouri and celebrates the importance of community culture, the value of local history, and embraces traditions that make each community irreplaceable.
Your donation can be made monthly or annually in whatever amount you choose. Please choose the frequency of your donation to Missouri Main Street Connection today by clicking on one of the buttons below.
As a gift of appreciation, you may receive an exclusively designed lapel pin, handmade ceramic mug, or other gifts that show our gratitude and your support in preserving your community.
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Select Frequency Of Donation | |
YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Missouri Main Street Connection is a statewide, 501c3, not-for-profit organization and is the leading statewide nonprofit organization devoted to preservation-based economic development. Through the Main Street America® movement and our partners, we empower community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and sustaining Missouri historic commercial districts in both rural and urban settings. | |
Appreciation gifts include a Heritage Circle pin, handcrafted mug, bookmarks featuring Missouri Main Street communities, and more. | |
Missouri Main Street Connection is a statewide, 501c3, not-for-profit organization committed to fostering renewed vitality and sustainability in historic commercial districts across the state of Missouri.
Missouri Main Street Connection is an equal opportunity organization.
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