Upcoming Events

The Thursday Evening Speaker Series is a free, monthly lecture series open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unless otherwise noted, programs will be held at the Missouri State Archives, located at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City. The series is underwritten by the Friends of the Missouri State Archives.

[Presentation Videos from past events are available at the following location:
Missouri State Archives Presentation Videos.]

At War with King Alcohol: Debating Drinking and Masculinity in the Civil War

Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 7 p.m.

Liquor was essential to military culture as well as healthcare regimens in both the Union and Confederate armies. But its widespread use and misuse caused severe disruptions as unruly drunken soldiers and officers stumbled down roads and through towns, colliding with civilians. The problems surrounding liquor prompted debates among military officials, soldiers, and civilians as to what constituted acceptable drinking. While Americans never could agree on precisely when it was appropriate to make or drink alcohol, one consensus emerged: the wasteful manufacture and reckless consumption of spirits during a time of Civil War was so unpatriotic that it sometimes bordered on disloyalty.

Presented by author Megan Bever

Jefferson City Serendipity: Discoveries from a recently acquired Civil War-era map of Missouri's capital

Saturday, December 12, 2026 @ 11 a.m.

Missouri State Archives employees presented to a SUV meeting regarding the Civil War era map

The 5th Ohio Light Artillery battery arrived in Jefferson City, Missouri on its first assignment early in the days of Civil War. Before leaving for the Battle of Shiloh, a lieutenant drew a map of the town and its fortifications and mailed it with a gossipy letter to friends in Cincinnati.

Hidden for generations, a random social media post led the State Archives to a map dealer’s website. While the unique, time-sensitive details of the map provided answers, they also presented questions. But it was the accompanying letter that provided unheard observations about the town, debunked a local legend, and tied romance to a success story. Through community support, the Missouri State Archives was able to acquire these 4 pages. Dedicated research into each line and location has revealed hidden histories and untold narratives which cross the nation and hemisphere.

Presented by Archives staff Michelle Brooks and Audrey Meservey

A Million Woeful Steps: The Forced Migration of Slaves to Texas

Thursday, January 14, 2027 @ 7 p.m.

In 1861 and early 1862 hundreds of slaves were forcibly moved from what became the Missouri Burnt District to Texas. The onset of Civil War in western Missouri found the enslaved community standing on quicksand. For most, the future held a journey, to hell or hope. For those liberated by Kansas regiments and ferried to Kansas, the future held hope. But for those, force migrated to Texas, a darker future lay ahead.

This narrative shares the detailed story of those slaves taken to Texas. The reasons, the route, the circumstances, and the destination are shared from the personal perspective of those making the journey. For the first time, this presentation illuminates a previously unknown episode of Missouri’s history.