Written by: Leyton Furlong
The Pony Express Museum is one of St. Joseph’s most treasured attractions and draws in visitors from all over the world. Located at 914 Penn Street, the museum is in the restored, original 1858 stables used by the Pony Express’s eastern terminus. It offers people of all ages an opportunity to interact with the history of the Wild West.
A Historic Home for a Legendary Story
Few things embody St. Joseph more than the legendary story of the Pony Express. From 1860 to 1861, men traveled on horseback and braved the unpredictable frontier to deliver mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, in just 10 days, which otherwise would have taken months to be delivered. It’s a story that has been told and retold for generations. It’s probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about St. Joseph. However, the Pony Express Museum is far from limited to local history.
More Than Just the Pony Express
I spoke with the museum’s executive director, Cindy Daffron, who told me that the Pony Express museum was the only museum dedicated to all 2,000 miles of the Pony Express trail. Every Pony Express station is represented in detail, including facts about the food they served. The museum even has a replica relay station that visitors can walk through. The museum isn’t limited to the Pony Express either. Other notable subjects represented in the museum include the California Gold Rush and the Oregon Trail. The museum has a restored covered wagon and various items from the period of westward expansion.
Hands-On History for All Ages
One thing that sets this place apart from other local museums is just how interactive the experience is. In addition to the countless artifacts on display, the museum has no shortage of activities to help visitors relive the history. Just about every tour group starts in the Pony Express theatre to watch a short video summarizing the story of the Pony Express. From there, visitors go into the stable room. When they scan the QR code on the wall, they will be greeted with a booming voice that retells the story of Johnny Fry’s first ride on April 3, 1860. From there, they will be guided through the museum’s many exhibits, each with some kind of activity. One exhibit allows visitors to simulate carrying a mail mochila from one horse to another, and another booth features a preserved excavation site where visitors try to look for items inside that are listed on the exhibit. My personal favorite interactive exhibit is the 20-foot-deep hand-dug well from 1881. Visitors can see the bottom of the well through a glass panel and use a water pump to pull water from the well.
From Pony Express to Wild West Legend
One notable exhibit is dedicated to perhaps the most famous rider (other than Johnny Fry), William F Coy, better known as Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill, who may have been the very embodiment of the Wild West, toured St. Joseph multiple times after his Pony Express career. Overall, the museum is perfect for all ages and groups of all kinds. Whether it be for school field trips or just to kill time, the museum is an experience you won’t want to miss out on. The Museum also has a conference room with a built-in kitchen for meetings or parties. Go to ponyexpress.org for current admission rates and plan your visit.
For more information
Pony Express National Museum
914 Penn Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 279-5059 or (800) 530-5930
Regular Business Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9am t0 5pm
Sunday: 11am to 4pm
Winter Business Hours
(December 1 thru March 1)
Monday – Saturday: 9 am to 4pm
Sunday: 11am to 4pm