Raytown Historical Society

One of Raytown’s best-kept secrets is the Raytown Historical Society & Museum. We don’t mind, though, if you spread the good word!

We were established in 1966 by six community-minded women concerned that the history of Raytown wasn’t being formally documented and preserved. In 1982, our growing membership moved into Raytown’s first firehouse building, giving us a permanent home and the space to display the history of Raytown.

Venture inside the Museum today to find an extensive research center with the history of Raytown families, veterans, businesses, churches, and government. Our collection includes permanent and rotating exhibits, plus Raytown and Raytown South High School yearbooks and other school photos and memorabilia. Our Gift Shop sells many Raytown publications and is stocked with items reminiscent of the trail days.

Our members and the public are invited to visit the Museum and attend our monthly events to hear educational presentations and socialize. Private tours can be scheduled for school classes and other groups. Check out our website for upcoming events and our current hours (see below).

The Raytown Historical Society & Museum is situated along the historic Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails as certified by the National Park Service. And, we are also now a stone’s throw from the new Rock Island Trail. Happy Trails! Hope to see you soon.