Enjoy Holiday Tours at Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site Dec. 12-13

The public is invited to enjoy an 1860s Victorian Christmas during tours of the Hunter-Dawson home. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, tours will be Dec. 12-13 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., with candlelight tours from 6-8:30 p.m. each evening.

The house, aglow with the warmth of oil lamps and candles, will be decorated with fresh greenery, Christmas trees and 1860s style ornaments. Site staff will be wearing Victorian era fashions and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site is located at 312 Dawson Road in New Madrid. For more information, contact the site at 573-748-5340. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Mississippian Cultural Day planned May 12 at Towosahgy State Historic Site

A photo from the Towosahgy State Historic Site in Mississippi County, Missouri, a Mississippian culture settlement. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Discover the secrets of the Mississippian Period of Native American culture at an event May 12 at Towosahgy State Historic Site near East Prairie in Mississippi County. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include activities throughout the day and storytelling by a Native American actor and teacher. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event is free and open to the public.


Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of the mound-building culture that flourished in the area 1,000 years ago. They will be able to tour the site where the village once stood and see various pre-historic artifacts from the area. Visitors can make arrowheads, learn how to make cordage (small rope) from native plants, and test their aim and skill with an atlatl and longbow.

A special feature of the event will be storytelling by Larry Sellers, an actor, educator and Osage tribal member. Sellers portrayed “Cloud Dancing” on the television show “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” in the 1990s. Sellers will tell traditional Native American stories as well as stories of Osage history.

Towosahgy State Historic Site is located 14 miles southeast of East Prairie on County Road 502 in Mississippi County. For more information about the event, call Big Oak Tree State Park at 573-649-3149 or Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site at 573-748-5340. To get to Towosahgy State Historic Site, take State Highway 77 south towards Dorena and turn west on CR 502 (look for signs near CR 502). Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Morning and moonlight walks May 5 highlight Big Oak Tree State Park

Boardwalk through Big Oak Tree State Park, Missouri. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Experience two different sides of Big Oak Tree State Park with morning and moonlight walks May 5. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, both hikes will be on the elevated boardwalk in the park, which is located near East Prairie. The public is invited to attend.

The morning hike, which will begin at 9 a.m., will showcase spring wildflowers, flowering trees and migratory birds. Hikers can look for mushrooms and other wildlife during the approximately one hour long hike. Bring your binoculars, cameras and sense of adventure for this fun-filled morning.

The evening hike, which will begin at 8 p.m., will provide a moonlight setting to learn about the creatures and interesting natural phenomena that occurs during the night. Hikers can listen to the night sounds and have fun with a few activities to test their senses. Learn about the animals that make all the sounds and prepare to enjoy a fun and educational time with friends and family.

Both hikes will begin at the parking lot near the boardwalk and will be approximately 1.5 miles long.

Big Oak Tree State Park is located approximately 15 miles south of East Prairie on Highway 102. For more information about the event, contact Big Oak Tree State Park at 573-649-3149 or Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site at 573-748-5340. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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