On a hill
overlooking the Ray County Fairgrounds stands an old brick building of curious
proportions. Built in 1910, in the shape of a "Y", every room has an outside
view. The total cost of $19,491.00 was spent to create County Home (Poor
Farm). This three-story building has a total of 54 rooms and its unique design
earned County Home a place on the National Register of Historical Places.
In the 1970's this unique building became the Ray County Museum sponsored
by the Ray County Historical Society. The displays are varied and of great
local interest. Rooms preserve Ray County's rich heritage and particular
historical events, some of which are
The Civil
War, World War I and II. Other subjects and events represented in the
vast 54 room museum are
Indian
Artifacts, The Shotwell Parlor(1800's), Coal Mining, Black History, Country
Kitchen, Governors, The Daughters of the American Revolution, Quilts, Country
School, Post Office, Costume, Doctor, Wildlife, and
The Mormon
History Exhibit Room,
replica
of the Golden Tablet , funded by the Mormon Church. A very extensive
genealogical library is located just off the Main Entryway. The Ray County
Historical Society, in conjunction with the Ray County Genealogical Society,
maintains regular hours to help historical researchers. The Ray County
Museum is rated at the top for county museums in the State of Missouri. It
is open year round, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and
closed on the holidays. Admission is FREE. Group tours are available
with advance reservation.


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