JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A diverse schedule of events is slated for May in southeastern Missouri state parks and historic sites.
- Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Centennial Celebration and Old Mill Days at Montauk State Park.
One hundred years ago, Montauk was formally established as a state park. To celebrate, the park will host several special events throughout the 2026 season, beginning with Old Mill Days. This annual event features guided and self-guided history tours, as well as games and other activities. Presenters will demonstrate historical skills such as blacksmithing, archery, Dutch oven cooking, weaving, rope making, wood carving, beekeeping and more! There will also be an arts and crafts fair showcasing the finest products that local artisans have to offer, including homemade pottery, jewelry and clothing. All activities will take place around the old Montauk Mill at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. Admission is free, and registration is not required.
- Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – 1860s Children’s Day at Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site.
Children of all ages are invited to Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site Saturday, May 16, for 1860s Children’s Day. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., children will have the opportunity to learn what life was like in the 1860s by participating in common chores and games of the period. Activities will include washing clothes with a washboard, dipping candles, making corn shuck dolls, walking on stilts and more.
Children’s Day is free and open to the public; there is no need to register. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site is located at 312 Dawson Road in New Madrid.
- Saturday, May 16, at 8:30 p.m. – Starry Sky Night at Onondaga Cave State Park.
Onondaga Cave State Park invites the public to meet in front of the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg to view the unobstructed night sky and learn about some of the celestial objects that can be seen. Astronomy experts will be demonstrating the use of telescopes and identifying stars and planets. The rain date for this program is May 23.
The primary source of funding for the state park system is half of the dedicated constitutional tax of one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The tax provides about three-fourths of the division’s budget for operation and development of state parks. All additional funding for Missouri’s Division of State Parks comes from revenues generated in the state park system and some federal funds. For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri’s Division of State Parks is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.