Located at 101 Washington Street just off the Courthouse Square in Downtown Doniphan the Museum and Gift Shop are open Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until Noon.  Closed Sundays and Holidays.  A Full Timer Curator supervises a staff of Volunteer Docents who man the Information Desk and assist visitors in touring the Museum.  A well stocked Gift Shop sells local crafts and history books.  The Ripley County Historical Society Library is also available for Geneological Research by Appointment.

 An exhibit from the Missouri State Archives celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Missouri Department of Conservation will open on April 8 at the Current River Heritage Museum.

"By the 1930s, Missouri’s forests, rivers and wildlife were in trouble.  The state had once been the home of abundant game, huge stands of timber and vast tracts of rich soil.  However, after centuries of exploitation by hunters, farmers and builders, many of the state’s precious natural resources were nearly used up. As early as the 1880s, settlers, railroads, and timber companies had cut much of the virgin forests in the Ozarks.  As a result, erosion washed soil into streams and rivers, damaging both land and water.  Meanwhile, market hunters had depleted much of the state’s wild game population; by the 1930s, deer and wild turkeys had nearly vanished from Missouri.

“Featuring photographs, documents and publications, as well as materials provided by the Conservation Federation of Missouri, this exhibit promises to highlight how the citizens of Missouri voted to clear the way for a new era of sound practices based on science and research.

“A Legacy of Conservation offers a look back at stories from the rich 75-year history of conservation in Missouri. 

This exhibit will be on display at the  Museum through April and May.”

OUR CONTINUING EXHIBIT:

         "MOMENTS IN TIME"

             A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY OUR LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER, RON KELLEY. 

          RON KELLEY IS BEST KNOWN BY DNAP MEMBERS FOR HIS ICONIC PHOTOGRAPH OF THE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD SHOWN BELOW, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON SALE IN THE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP.  STOP BY TO SEE HIS AMAZING WORK THROUGH SEPTEMBER! 

"The Heritage Homestead" by Ron Kelley

CHECK OUT OUR BOOK SALE

New books -

"Whispers from the Maple on the Hill" by Harvey D. Shell, depicts life during the Depression and World War Ii in Southeast Missouri.

"18 Minutes and a Lifetime - A biography of Christopher Dale Sifford" by Linda Sedrick Pearson. Sifford was Governor Mel Carnahan's personal assistant and was killed with him in the plane crash in 2000.

Also featured is "That's the Way It Was" by Thelma McManus - a collection of interviews of Ozark folks born in the 1800s.

These Books Are Normally $19.95 Ea., But Through May 31, 2010, Are Only $14.95 Each.

Newly Published Work by Local Author!

"As I Have Journeyed"

By

Jerry Klenn

$20.00 plus $1.25 tax

$3.50 shipping & handling (if ordered by mail)

Make check payable to "Museum Gift Shop"

       View of the Gift Shop Area at the Front Entrance

Local Artifacts are just a few of the items on display in the Current River Heritage Museum.

 Picture of the First Steam Locamotive to Arrive at the Doniphan Station in 1883

An Early Map Referencing the Irish Wilderness Settlement

Check Out Our Listing on

VisitMO.Com

Check Out Our Listing on

VisitMO.Com

Main Gallery-Current River Heritage Museum

        General Exhibits in the Lower Gallery

       School Room Exhibit in Lower Gallery

  Navy Sextant-Part of the Militaria Exhibit in the Lower Gallery

     The Big One from Our Camera Collection

One of the Earliest Photos in Our Collection of the Current Ripley County Courthouse Early 20th Century Circa 1900 to 1920

Earliest Bridge over Current River at Doniphan 

A Mexican War Sword Used by Ripley County Confederate Officer