The Missouri State Museum has some new virtual features because of the COVID-19 pandemic that its director said will be able to serve school groups and other people even after things return to normal at the state Capitol.
Tiffany Patterson, director of the Missouri State Museum and Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, said the Jefferson City museum is still open to the public, but there are no Capitol tours being given at this time.
The museum recently announced the launch of virtual Capitol tour videos - a series to introduce visitors to the history and artwork of the the Capitol: "The videos can be used instead of a class field trip or to prepare for an in-person visit."
The videos are available at mostateparks.com/page/85051/educational-resources and on YouTube through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Topics covered include the state capital's move from St. Charles to Jefferson City, the state seal, the half-round paintings that line the Capitol's hallways - called lunettes - the art of Thomas Hart Benton in the Capitol, the art of the House of Representatives' chamber, and the history of the State Museum itself.
The State Museum is also offering virtual question and answer sessions with a museum educator for schools and other organizations who want to learn more after watching the videos. Those sessions can be scheduled by emailing the museum at [email protected] or calling 573-522-9019.
The new virtual options are completely post-COVID-19 creations that were put together with no extra money from the museum's budget and resources, Patterson said.
Given that a lot of schools can't make it to the Capitol, Patterson said, the videos will continue to be useful after the pandemic and the museum will continue to produce videos as well as promote exhibits on Facebook at facebook.com/MissouriStateMuseum.