Current Exhibits
Growing Together: Fisher-Price Toys Across Generations
October 4 2024 – August 31, 2025
Step into the world of Growing Together, an exhibit celebrating the legacy of Fisher-Price. Discover the fascinating history behind one of America’s most beloved toy makers and explore a curated collection of vintage Fisher-Price toys—from the iconic Little People playsets to cherished classics like the Play Family House, Barn, and Castle. Perfect for families and nostalgia lovers, this exhibit invites visitors of all ages to relive childhood memories and experience the magic of toys that have inspired generations.
Eugene Field: A Life in Letters and Travels
January 17, 2025 – October 26, 2025
Discover the remarkable life of Eugene Field, the celebrated “Poet of Childhood,” through an intimate exploration of his travels and personal history. Eugene Field: A Life in Letters and Travels showcases rare letters, original Field family artifacts, limited edition books authored by Eugene, and captivating photographs that trace his footsteps—from his St. Louis roots to destinations around the world. Uncover the stories behind his inspirations and gain insight into the places and people that shaped his enduring legacy.
Just A Note: Music During the 1800s
March 19 – August 10, 2025
Eugene Field lived in a time of great innovation within the field of music. The mid-1800s witnessed the first time in which music shaped daily life, from parlor room performances and popular instruments to sheet music and the rise of music as a commodity. Here in St. Louis, the growing population embraced this new product with great enthusiasm. Join us and discover the soundtrack during the lifetime of Eugene Field in Just a Note!
Behind the Feathers: A Century of Weatherbird History
June 14, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Explore the legacy of America’s oldest continuously drawn daily cartoon in Behind the Feathers: A Century of Weatherbird History. Since 1901, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Weatherbird has offered wit, commentary, and charm to readers across generations. With special insights from current Weatherbird artist Dan Martin, this exhibit showcases the evolution of the iconic character through original artwork, historic headlines, and memorable moments. Discover how this feathered figure has reflected the news, culture, and humor of the times for over a century.
Upcoming Museum Exhibits
Turn of the Head: Dolls of Bygone Days
August 22 – November 2, 2026
From childhood companions to silent witnesses of time, dolls have long held a powerful presence in our lives. Yet beneath their painted smiles and delicate dresses lie stories that evoke something deeper—fascination, nostalgia, and sometimes unease. This intimate exhibit explores dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries that spark curiosity and stir the imagination. With worn faces, haunting eyes, or simply an uncanny presence, each doll on display invites visitors to consider the layers of memory, craftsmanship, and cultural expectation that define their peculiar charm.
Between Dreams & Reality: Eugene Field and the Battle of 19th-Century Art Movements
November 7, 2025 – July 12, 2026
Explore the clash of two artistic giants—Romanticism and Realism—through the lens of 19th-century poet and author Eugene Field. This exhibit reveals how shifting ideals shaped literature, art, and Field’s own creative journey during a time of sweeping cultural change.
Sanctuaries of the City: Faith Near the Field Home in the 1850s
November 14, 2025 – June 14, 2026
Come explore the diverse spiritual landscape surrounding the home of Roswell Field in mid-19th century St. Louis. During the 1850s, the city was home to a growing tapestry of faith communities—including Catholic and Protestant congregations, early Jewish synagogues, and Black churches—each shaping the social and cultural fabric of the neighborhood. Sanctuaries of the City highlights the nearby houses of worship that stood as places of refuge, identity, and resistance in a rapidly changing America.
A Turn of the Key: The Whimsical World of Wind-ups
January 30, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Enter the charming world of mechanical playthings! A Turn of the Key showcases the museum’s delightful collection of wind-up toys, including treasures once owned by Eugene Field. From their ingenious inner workings to their artistry, this exhibit traces the evolution of wind-up toys.
From Landmark to Legacy: 90 Years of the Field House Museum
February 27, 2026 – April 25, 2027
Step into nine decades of history with this commemorative exhibit celebrating the Field House Museum’s 90th anniversary. Since opening its doors on December 18, 1936, the museum has grown from a preserved family home into a vibrant cultural landmark. This special exhibition honors the visionaries who saved the house, the stories that have shaped it, and the community that continues to sustain it. Through photographs, artifacts, and archival materials, visitors will explore how the Field House has evolved—preserving the past while inspiring future generations.
Crossroads of Cultures: Immigrant Stories in 19th-Century St. Louis
February 27 – October 11, 2026
In the 1800s, St. Louis stood at the heart of a nation in motion—a city shaped by people from many walks of life seeking freedom, faith, and opportunity. Crossroads of Cultures explores this dynamic era through the stories of German and Mormon immigrants, two of many communities who passed through or took root in the Gateway City. Learn what brought them here, how they adapted to a changing city, and how their experiences echo those of other groups who helped define the diverse fabric of 19th-century St. Louis.
In the News: Eugene Field’s Life in Print
July 31, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Explore the witty and poignant world of Eugene Field’s newspaper career through his celebrated column Sharps and Flats. This exhibit highlights Field’s role as a pioneering personal columnist, contextualizing the newsworthy moments he captured with humor, heart, and social insight. Visitors can pen their own takes in a “Letter to the Editor” interactive and browse historic headlines in our Front Pages of the Past collage.
Carondelet Connections: The Field Family’s Footprint in a Riverfront Town
October 23, 2026 – April 25, 2027
Uncover the lasting legacy of the Field family in the historic town of Carondelet, Missouri. From early property ownership to street names that still echo their influence, this exhibit explores the intertwined stories of a frontier town and a prominent St. Louis family.
Denotes ADA accessible exhibits