pony-express-museum

The Ave Maria: National Catholic Weekly

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:02:18 GMT

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Check Out this article from the Ave Maria

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CIRCLE THE WAGONS FREE DAY & ACTIVITIES AT THE PONY SCHOOL FOR YOUNG & YOUNG AT HEART

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:57:02 GMT

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Cost: Free admission all day!

The Museums Association of St. Joseph is once again hosting its annual Free Museum Day. The Pony Express Museum will showcase Pony School, a one-room schoolhouse constructed to 1860s standards. Schoolmarms will teach short lessons much like those presented to students of days gone by.

The Pony School schedule is as follows:

Schoolmarm: 10:00 am – 10:30 am, 10:30 am – 11:00 am

Handwriting: 11:00 am– 11:30 am

Games: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm

Schoolmarm: 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm, 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Handwriting: 2:00 pm– 2:30 pm

Games: 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Executive Director Cindy Daffron says “Join us at Pony School for a unique learning experience as taught by experienced schoolmarms. We’ll also teach Spencerian script, an elegant, lightweight style of cursive handwriting developed in the US by Platt Rogers Spencer in the early 1830s. It’s this style schoolmarms taught in the 1860s. This session will be followed by games popular at the time, because what would a school day be without games?!”

The Pony Express Museum is open all year, 7 days a week except major holidays. The Museum is located in the building where the Pony Express founders housed their stables. Stand in the exact spot where the first rider left St. Joseph heading west carrying mail and other important documents on April 3, 1860. Learn all about the critical role this 18-month endeavor played in our nation’s history. And how our interpretation of endeavor is critical in the Museum’s rank of third of the Top Ten Western Museums of 2026 by True West magazine in its September/October issue.

Join us for Circle The Wagons free day and activities at the Pony School for young and young at HEART

Where: Pony School, 1219 South 9th Street

When: June 26, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm

Circle the Wagons Explore, Discover, Learn Open House

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:53:44 GMT

Circle the Wagons Explore, Discover, learn, open house

The Pony Express Museum is hosting, for the first time ever, an open house inviting all preschool age children and their teachers, families, and caregivers to this special event. Please join us in the Museum lobby for a ribbon cutting kicking off the Museum’s “Explore. Discover. Learn.” (EDL) program. Be sure to grab a copy of My Book to use while going through the

Museum using the EDL icons.

The EDL program has been in the works for 10 years. We are so proud to finally bring it to fruition. You’ll meet some of the families heavily involved in the development of this newest learning program, as they will join us on this special day. The families will distribute commemorative ribbons in five assorted colors for children to take home as souvenirs of the occasion.

Be sure to stop into the east community room for open house activities. We’ll partake in lemonade and cookies. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and interact with some of our volunteers.

Executive Director Cindy Daffron says “We are so excited to present this newest method of passing history on to the newest generation. This program provides yet another technique to share the Legend and the Legacy of the Pony Express. Please join us to watch as children utilize this new educational tool. Thank you to the many volunteers involved in the development of this program.”

Join us for Circle The Wagons explore, discover, learn, open house

Where: Pony Express Museum

When: August 29, 2026, 10 am – noon

Cost: Free admission all day

Circle the Wagons Music and Fun at the Pony Bar/Goetz Museum

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:47:26 GMT

Circle the Wagons Music and fun at the pony bar/goetz museum

Back by popular demand, we’re hosting another session of fun at the Pony Bar & Goetz Museum! Once again, we’ll have music such as the player-piano in the Board Room. Take a step back in time to experience children’s favorite games of days gone by, such as Shut the Box, checkers, chess, and cards.

We’ll also serve a light lunch at 11:30, serving guest favorites Mareck Sandwiches until we run out. We’ll round out the light meal with chips and Rocky Mountain Soda Co.’s Root Beer and Sarsaparilla. Upgrade your sodas to floats; and for $20 you may keep the glass mug with the Pony Bar logo!

Pony Express Museum Executive Director Cindy Daffron says “We sure hope to see you at this fun event, regardless of if you’re a regular at our events or this your first visit! We love sharing the experiences we create at these and other events. Come visit the Museum and see our ongoing improvements!”

Ms. Daffron closed with “Our many thanks to our great donor for making this fun event happen!”

Join us for Circle The Wagons Music and fun at the pony bar/goetz museum

Where: Pony Express Museum’s Pony Bar/Goetz Museum

When: August 29, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm

Cost: Free admission all day

Articles About This Event

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity with 1900's Wagon & Props

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:15:00 GMT

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Cost: Free admission to the Museum 9 am – 5 pm both days, thanks to special donors!

Join us as we reveal the ‘new’ covered wagon on the grounds outside of the Community Room! We are providing props and costumes to stage your photo with this 1900’s wagon, complete with a cover! The wagon will be filled with items families would have carried during the Westward Expansion.

Put on your bonnet and apron or pioneer hat and step BACK IN TIME with a photo of you and your family, recording your day in history!

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America with us during our free admission days. Enjoy this opportunity to see your family sporting Wild West duds, and check out the wagons in our Pop-up Exhibit in the East Community Room!

Join us for Circle The Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Where: Pony Express Museum Outside of the Community Room on the West End

When: June 26, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm

Second Day: June 27, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm

Pictured is Beck and Joan Irwin, who traveled to trade in our old wagon and pick up our wagon from South Dakota from Hansen Wheel & Wagon. It is an exciting time for families to wear bonnets and aprons, hats and other apparel. Fun for all ages and many memories and smiles!

Circle the Wagons Music with Ben & Dorothy

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:09:15 GMT

Circle the Wagons Music With Ben & Dorothy

Performances: Every 30 minutes with guitar and accordion

Ben will offer chess time: Come learn to play chess or play chess with Ben. Ben loves playing chess and has several wins to his credit.

10:30am - 11:00am
11:30am - 12:00pm
1:30pm - 2:00pm

Ben is a professional chess winner!

Cost: Free admission

Lunch will be provided by a sponsor, featuring Marek’s sandwiches with root beer or sarsaparilla drinks. Floats and commemorative mugs are available for sale.

Please join us for some fun playing cards, checkers, chess, and shut the box games with music!

Join us for Circle The Wagons Music with Ben & dorothy

Where: Pony Bar/Goetz Museum, featuring Dick & Mignon’s Soda Shop, 1224 S. 10th St.

When: May 1st and July 11th, 2026

Time: 10am - 2pm with a lunch break from 12pm - 1 pm

Circle the Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:17 GMT

Circle the Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

The Lee Shifflett Family will bring artifacts from the 1960 Re-ride. Just like the first Pony Express ride, the re-ride left the stable doors on April 3, 1960. We will show movies of this event which documents the rider leaving St. Joseph headed to Salt Lake City, Utah. We will also share footage from 1967.

We will recognize Lee’s brother, Raymond, who participated in the re-ride. We will toast the event, read names of those participating in the re-ride, and share cake. Come join in the celebration!

Please join us as we relive the day’s events through newspaper articles and other exciting items!

Cost: Free admission

Event Hosted by Tuesday Night Talks (TNT) and Commerce Bank.

Where: Pony Express Event Center - 1220 S. 10th St.

When: April 26, 2026

Time: 1:30pm

Join us for Circle The Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

Circle the Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:47:46 GMT

Circle the Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Join Huston and Megan Wyeth for a step back in time with the Wyeth Company. They are graciously lending their 1915 Wyeth Annual Catalog, Saddle Edition from the Wyeth Hardware & Manufacturing Company, St. Joseph, Missouri, USA, No. 112. We will proudly display this catalog near the horses in the stalls right after the “Moment in Time.”

We will add to the Stormy Dodger wooden horse display. The display will include Louis Killackey’s story about his wooden horse.

Please join us and enjoy the stories and new exhibits.

Cost: Sponsored free admission both days

We are excited and proud to join in the 250 year celebration of the United States! Please join us as we revisit important Pony Express moments. The Pony Express carried Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address. It was the fastest Express run at seven days and seven hours. The Pony Express also carried a letter to the State of California telling to not secede from the Union.

Join us for Circle The Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Where: Pony Express Museum, 914 Penn St.

When: April 24 & 25, 2026

Time: 1pm - 3pm

Pumpkinfest 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:36:14 GMT

Pumpkinfest 2026

Join us for PumpkinFest 2026

This year's Pumpkinfest will be held:

October 2, 3, 4

Pumpkinfest 2026 Our 30th Year!

Pumpkinfest 2026 is finally here, our 30th year!

We are so thankful to the many sponsors for their support of Pumpkinfest in 2025. Pumpkinfest would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers, generous sponsors, and awesome vendors! Please join us and help make our 30th year of Pumpkinfest the best year yet!

Please view our full entertainment schedule here .

Vendor Information & Applications

Submit your call letter and the application for the vendor category you've selected to complete your vendor application

Pumpkinfest Event INformation, Forms, and APplications

Pony Museum Day Camp 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:28:09 GMT

Pony Express Museum Day Camp 2026

Join us for three days of fun at the Pony Express Museum

K-6th Grade

8:30am - 1:15pm

Please Select from the following dates:

July 13-15, 2026

July 20-22, 2026

Lunch will be provided.

$45 per camper

Scholarships are available

Preschool

9:00am - 11:00am

July 16, 2026
Age Ranges : 3-5 years old

T-Shirt will be provided

*Parent Must Attend

$20 per child

2026 Theme: Harness the Trails

All campers will receive a T-Shirt.

Snacks will be provided.

All craft supplies will be furnished.

Family Day at the Pony Express National Museum

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:41:07 GMT

Family Day at the Pony Express National Museum

Bring the whole family for a day of discovery at the Pony Express National Museum. On February 16, 2026, enjoy free admission, hands-on adventures throughout the museum, and a special pop-up exhibit from the Archives Collections curated just for this event. Watch for more details on Facebook and our website and plan to make history part of your family’s day.

pony-express-museum

The Ave Maria: National Catholic Weekly

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Check Out this article from the Ave Maria

CIRCLE THE WAGONS FREE DAY & ACTIVITIES AT THE PONY SCHOOL FOR YOUNG & YOUNG AT HEART

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Join us for Circle The Wagons free day and activities at the Pony School for young and young at HEART

Circle the Wagons Explore, Discover, Learn Open House

Circle the Wagons Explore, Discover, learn, open house

Join us for Circle The Wagons explore, discover, learn, open house

Circle the Wagons Music and Fun at the Pony Bar/Goetz Museum

Circle the Wagons Music and fun at the pony bar/goetz museum

Join us for Circle The Wagons Music and fun at the pony bar/goetz museum

Articles About This Event

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity with 1900's Wagon & Props

Circle the Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Join us for Circle The Wagons Photo Opportunity With 1900's Wagon & Props

Circle the Wagons Music with Ben & Dorothy

Circle the Wagons Music With Ben & Dorothy

Join us for Circle The Wagons Music with Ben & dorothy

Circle the Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

Circle the Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

Join us for Circle The Wagons Honor & Tribute to the 1960 Reride & Riders

Circle the Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Circle the Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Join us for Circle The Wagons New Exhibit Displays

Pumpkinfest 2026

Pumpkinfest 2026

Join us for PumpkinFest 2026

Pumpkinfest 2026 Our 30th Year!

Vendor Information & Applications

Pumpkinfest Event INformation, Forms, and APplications

Pony Museum Day Camp 2026

Pony Express Museum Day Camp 2026

Join us for three days of fun at the Pony Express Museum ﻿

K-6th Grade

Preschool

2026 Theme: Harness the Trails

Family Day at the Pony Express National Museum

Family Day at the Pony Express National Museum

Join us for three days of fun at the Pony Express Museum