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The visitor center was opened in 1991. There are two major themes represented at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site -- the Civil War in Missouri and the culture of the Missouri River Valley. Admission to the visitor center, including its exhibits, audio-visual room and souvenir shop, is free.
Exhibits in the visitor center tell the story of Lexington during the mid-19th century. These include displays about economic growth; dependence on cash crops such as hemp, reliance on slavery, and transportation such as the river trade and Santa Fe Trail. Other displays describe the social growth of Lexington and divisions due to the Kansas Nebraska Act, border warfare and the onset of the Civil War. The story of Oliver Anderson, the builder of the house used as a hospital during the Battle of Lexington, is related throughout the exhibits. Other exhibits describe the Civil War in Missouri and the Battle of Lexington.
Visitors can watch a 17-minute video about the Battle of Lexington as seen through the eyes of Susan McCausland, who witnessed the battle from her house. This video provides an introduction and overview of the Battle of Lexington. Copies are for sale at the gift shop, which also offer postcards, history books and Civil War related items.
Knowledgeable interpreters conduct guided tours of the historic Anderson House and battleground on the hour. To get the most out of your visit and to better understand what occurred here in 1861, take a tour inside one of the best antebellum homes in Missouri. Each tour takes approximately 50 minutes and includes the cellar, first floor and second floor of the Anderson house, where there are several sets of stairs and uneven terrain. For those unable to climb stairs, informational booklets with descriptive text and photographs are available.
Costs for guided tours are $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for students (ages 6-12) and under 6 are free. We have a maximum rate of $12 per family.
Group rates (15 or more) are $1.50 per adult and $.75 per student (ages 6-12). Contact the historic site in advance at 660-259-4654 for a group tour so that your needs may better be accommodated. If you are bringing a school group, consider using the lesson plan available on the interpretive programs.
Winter Hours (Off-Season)
From November through February, the visitor center is open Wednesday through Saturday and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer Hours (On-Season)
From March through October, the visitor center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From March through April 15, the center is open on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April 16 through October, Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
