George Washington Carver, who is America’s most famous black scientist, is commemorated at his boyhood home near Diamond, Missouri. This 210- acre national monument, maintained by the National Park Service, includes a museum, a 3/4 mile nature trail, the Carver family cemetery, a large picnic area, and a children’s Discovery Center. Many attractions will soon be housed in a large new visitor center, currently under construction. In addition to the standard attractions, a wide variety of free programs and demonstrations are offered weekly. Annual events at the Monument include Prairie Days, March for Parks, and Carver Days. The George Washington Carver Monument is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Monument is open every day but Christmas Day & New Years Day.   

Neosho National Fish Hatchery
   
The oldest federal fish hatchery in the United States, the Neosho National Fish Hatchery is located inside the city limits of Neosho, Missouri. Constructed in 1888, the hatchery has a park-like setting where visitors can see thousands fingerlings in the hatchery building and thousands of large rainbow trout in the outdoor raceways. The Neosho hatchery is famous for its work with endangered species. Many visitors enjoy watching Fish and Wildlife personnel go about their daily chores on the hatchery grounds. The spacious grounds of the hatchery have long been a popular tourist spot and are equally popular with hikers, birdwatchers, and picnickers. A new visitor center at the hatchery – the first to ever be built at a national fish hatchery is on the drawing board. Special events include a Kids Fishing Derby in June and an Open House in April when area dogwood blossoms are at their peak.

The Matthew H. Ritchey Mansion  (Newtonia)

Having survived two Civil War battles, the 1852 Ritchey Mansion is the centerpiece of Civil War history in the village of Newtonia. Owned by the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association (NBPA), the mansion is open on request to tourists and to the public at special events. Tours include stories of Belle Starr’s escape and of Polly, the mansion ghost. The mansion is an imposing figure, overlooking19 acres of battlefield owned by the NBPA. The Ritchey family cemetery is on the mansion grounds, and a community Civil War Cemetery is just a few blocks away. Both cemeteries are of great interest to genealogists and historians. On the battlefields of Newtonia, First Lieutenant Wells Blodgett, a Union officer, won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. Other union heroes at Newtonia included Brig. General James Blunt and Maj. General Samuel Curtis. Confederate brass included Colonel Jo Shelby and Stand Watie, the legendary Cherokee general. It is believed the 1862 Battle of Newtonia is the only Civil War battle to feature Native American regiments on both sides of the conflict. The 1864 Battle of Newtonia was the last battle in “Price’s Raid,” which sealed the State of Missouri for the Union. The Ritchey Mansion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
   

  
Granby Miners Museum 

The Miners Museum was founded to tell the story of Granby, Missouri, considered by most historians to be the biggest mining town in Southwest Missouri. Granby was founded by miners who came there to dig lead and zinc. The colorful days of the mining era are explained through exhibits of mining equipment, photographs, and a nice ore collection. In addition, the museum also chronicles the history of the town itself. Prominent citizens such as Dick Smith, Billy Johnson, and Naomi Barton are remembered for the contributions they made to the development and prosperity of Granby. Located on North Main Street, the Miners Museum has something for everyone. Of special note is a “household” collection located on the mezzanine which features hundreds of common household items, ranging from kitchen tools to lovely men and women’s clothing. The museum is open “on request,” all year long, but does maintain 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. summer hours in the warmer months.

Reptile World

Home to 100 or more reptiles and other exotic animals, Reptile World offers a zoo-like atmosphere where visitors can see and learn about some of the most unusual and interesting animals on the planet. Although known for its reptiles, Reptile World also introduces visitors to spiders, scorpions and even rabbits. Among the more exotic animals are a Burmese python, bearded dragons, a black forest Cobra, sand boas, crocodiles, alligators, a King cobra, and a very colorful leopard tortoise. Reptile World is also home base for a local reptile club which meets monthly.  A spacious meeting room is provided for special events such as children’s birthday parties.  Reptile World also welcomes school and church groups, and day care visits.

Seneca Casino

The Indian heritage of the Seneca area is kept alive by several tribes. Many tribal events such as Pow Wows and services such as a library and food pantry are funded by Indian operated gaming facilities which offer paper bingo, Off-Track Betting, and video bingo in a casino setting. Video bingo is played 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Eastern Shawnee Tribe’s Border Town Bingo and Casino is a popular tourist attraction that caters to individual gamers and tour busses. The casino also features a Country Kitchen restaurant open to the public.
   

Audubon Center

Wildcat Glades Conservation known as The Audubon Center – This unique area is in its infancy and currently encompasses 60 acres. Nature is the star of this area where visitors may hike trails, picnic, bird watch, and see one of Missouri’s most fragile and rare natural areas – a 27-acre chert glade. The area, locally called “The Nature Center,” has views of Silver Creek Pond and Shoal Creek. The center also includes a river access to Shoal Creek for boating, swimming and fishing activities. Future development and the construction of a nature center are at hand with ground breaking for the center set for late 2004.