Morgan County Historical Society & Museum: A Journey Through

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The Morgan County Museum is housed in the  former Martin Hotel. The Martin Hotel was  

established in 1854 and closed in the 1960's. It was the longest running inn west of the Mississippi.  

Samuel and Elizabeth Martin came to Missouri from Virginia by oxen caravan in 1853.  

Within one year of their arrival they purchased a block of land for taxes and a log structure.  

They moved the log structure to the present location and established the Martin Hotel a picture of the log hotel is displayed in the lobby. 

Throughout the museum there are many items original to the hotel.  

The Morgan County Historical Society purchased the hotel in 1966 from Foster Young  Brown, Martin's grandson. Foster operated the hotel succeeding Lucy, a daughter of the Martins (Foster's aunt).  

The hotel registers show the many guests,  they include, P.T. Barnum, Frank James, Grover Cleveland, and Harry and Bess Truman.  

The many rooms to view include two war rooms filled with uniforms and other items from Morgan County residents that served. Other rooms are a chapel, a parlor, and a barber shop, as well as rooms that remain original to the hotel.  

The Hotel was placed on the National Register of Historical Sites in Washington D.C.  

in 1978.  

The museum is a wonderful trip back through the history of the Martin Hotel, Versailles, Morgan  

County, and the families that built it with hard work, determination and the pursuit of happiness.  

A vision of the past connects us with our roots and leads us with the strength and determination  

of our ancestors to provide a better future.  

The Morgan County Museum has 26 rooms to tour with memorabilia from businesses, families, and  events that built Morgan County, some from as far back as 1850's, with a few items dated prior to that.  

There is a research and genealogy room that has preserved and recorded court records, probate records, family lineage, and much more from various resources dating back to the incorporation of not only Versailles, but other communities that are a part of the history of Morgan County.  

The museum also includes a gift shop where many items can be purchased. Souvenirs, glassware, and  

T-shirts. and much more.  

The Morgan County Historical society compiled and published books containing information on the  

Railroads, Mills, and other historical events of  Morgan County. We also offer books by a variety of  

local authors. The books are available to purchase in our gift shop.