The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology showcases the state’s geologic history and the Missouri Geological Survey hopes it will become a mainstay stop along Missouri’s Historic Route 66.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Missouri Geological Survey is currently renovating its Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology. The project will expand the museum’s overall space while improving public access. The division is developing new exhibits that will go on display for visitors over the next year. The museum is located within the department’s Buehler Building at 111 Fairground Road in Rolla.
“This will be the largest renovation and investment in our museum since its founding more than 20 years ago,” said Carey Bridges, state geologist and director of the Missouri Geological Survey. “We welcome the public to see the work we have already completed and to come back to see our progress over the next year. Once completed, we plan to debut a new exhibit annually, providing new content and opportunities to come and learn more about Missouri geology and the work the division is doing.”
The museum was originally created by repurposing a conference room and office adjoining the building’s front lobby. As part of the recent renovation, the walls separating the front lobby from the museum were demolished, allowing for exhibits to fill what was previously an underutilized waiting room.
“Removing the interior walls has nearly doubled the size of the museum, which now covers around 1,500 square feet within the Buehler Building,” Bridges said. “We also installed new stone flooring made of Missouri-sourced rock. This adds an appropriate geologic flair while creating another chance for museum visitors to learn something new about Missouri geology.”
Making up the new flooring is polished Missouri granite and Phenix Marble, a hearty building stone likewise used for the Missouri State Capitol’s construction. This limestone famously contains fossils of ancient sea creatures.
“Our geologists closely inspected each tile for fossils,” Bridges said. “We have strategically placed the tiles to showcase the best fossils where they can be seen most easily. We plan to develop a fossil guide so museum visitors can find these just like visitors in the Capitol.”
Another renovation goal is to improve the museum’s public access. Prior to the remodeling, museum guests needed to ring a doorbell to be granted entry through a locked door. The secure employee entrance has been relocated, so visitors can now enjoy easier access to the museum.
“This is a win-win for the museum and our team in Rolla,” Bridges said. “The new entrance not only creates less confusion for the public, but it also improves the Buehler Building’s overall security. Under the old arrangement, nothing prevented museum visitors from accessing other employee-only areas of the building.”
Two new exhibits are in development for the museum. The largest will showcase exceptional geologic sites at various Missouri state parks and explain the natural geologic processes that created them. Among the destinations planned for this exhibit are Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Taum Sauk Mountain, Onondaga Cave and Ha Ha Tonka state parks.
Another exhibit will share the division’s work by spotlighting a key project or initiative. Bridges said this exhibit is being designed with transportation in mind and will travel to each Missouri State Fair for temporary display. Moreover, this exhibit will be updated annually in time for the fair, creating a rotation that will bring new content into the museum.
“For this exhibit’s first year, we plan to share the success of the Missouri Hydrology Information Center within our Water Resources Center,” Bridges said. “We already have some ideas for future years. Potential topics include highlighting our work with critical minerals, raising awareness about geohazards or other ongoing efforts by our programs. You’ll be able to see what we select each year by visiting the Womans Building at the state fair.”
Going forward, Bridges said the division is planning to invest in interactive technology to further enhance the museum’s exhibits.
“We have purchased one touchscreen kiosk for the museum and submitted a grant application to purchase more,” Bridges said. “Our museum is located just off Interstate 44 and is within sight of Historic Route 66. Our team will be developing content for these devices that will take people to the bottom of some of Missouri’s deepest sinkholes or to the overlooks from some of our tallest mountains. By showing out-of-state visitors some of the amazing geologic sites we have within Missouri’s state parks, we hope to inspire them to stay longer during their trip or to come back again and explore more of what our great state has to offer.”
Learn more about geology in Missouri on MoDNR’s Geology webpage.
