Welcome to the Pike County Genealogical Society and Museum, a treasure trove of history nestled in the charming town of Bowling Green, Missouri. This institution has become a cornerstone for those seeking to uncover the rich tapestry of Pike County’s past. The society’s journey began in March 1999, when a group of dedicated individuals came together, meeting in private homes to share their passion for genealogy. By 2000, Judge Rochne Calhoun offered them a permanent home, rent-free, in his Ben Franklin building, provided they could renovate it themselves. This marked the beginning of a lasting legacy.
Among the founding members were Marvin and Donna Darnell, Bill and Mollie Price, Claudia Wells, and many others who generously shared their personal collections. By 2012, a new chapter unfolded when the Pike County Commissioners proposed converting the old jail, built in 1883, into a museum. This preserved a piece of the county’s architectural history and provided a venue to showcase its heritage.
Today, the museum is a repository of Pike County’s history, housing a vast collection of records, including cemeteries, plat books, obituaries, and military resources. The Missouri room offers literature on the state and beyond, while ongoing projects like the cemetery project bring history to life by documenting the stories of those who came before us.
The museum’s mission is to inspire interest in genealogy, offering free classes and resources to the community. Its volunteers work tirelessly, from publishing newsletters to preserving cemetery records. This dedication ensures that the stories of Pike County’s past are never forgotten, allowing visitors to delve into their ancestry and connect with history on a personal level.
