Historic City of Jefferson Hosts Walking Tour of Lincoln University

The Historic City of Jefferson is pleased to announce a special event to celebrate the rich history of Jefferson City and Lincoln University. For over a decade, the organization has been offering tours of its historic neighborhoods, and this year, they are inviting the community to explore another integral part of the city’s heritage.

A walking tour of the historic hilltop campus of Lincoln University is scheduled for Sunday, August 6, from 1-5 p.m. Working together, the Historic City of Jefferson and Lincoln University have organized this event to highlight the University’s remarkable 157-year journey of progress and significance.

Participants will be welcomed at the south end of Scruggs University Center (SUC), located at 819 Chestnut St., where a welcome tent will offer visitors guide booklets containing the history of each building included in the tour. The walking tour will be confined to the hilltop campus. At the same time, an extended trolley tour will also be available, starting and concluding at the MLK parking lot on E. Dunklin St. The trolley tour will encompass the buildings that surround the hilltop campus, offering a comprehensive perspective of Lincoln University’s influence on the area.

The walking tour will begin at the Soldier’s Memorial located on the Quad on LU’s campus, where author Michelle Brooks will briefly talk about the school’s founding. The Soldier’s Memorial is a tribute to the African American veterans of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantry, who pooled their resources to establish LU in 1865, shortly after the Civil War.

Following the introduction, visitors can explore other significant sites on the campus at their own pace. Each attendee will receive a booklet containing brief histories of the buildings featured in the tour at the Historic City of Jefferson Welcome Tent.

Included in the tour is the Inman E. Page Library. Visitors will have the chance to view a collection of historical artifacts and artwork, including a Thomas Hart Benton print, contributing to the cultural and historical significance of Lincoln University.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at the following locations: Hy-Vee, Carrie’s Hallmark, Schulte’s Fine Foods, Click2Sell4U/Kay’s Collectibles, HCJ’s Reclaim Store and online. On the day of the tour, tickets will be available for $18. For those interested in the trolley tour experience, tickets can be purchased in advance at $20 by calling the HCJ office at 573-462-0224 or online.

Ample parking will be available at the south end of SUC, the north side of Foster Hall at 904 Chestnut St., and the north side of MLK Hall at 812 E. Dunklin.

Join us on this insightful journey into the past and witness the enduring legacy of Lincoln University within the Historic City of Jefferson. The walking tour promises to be an unforgettable experience, commemorating the profound impact of education and cultural heritage on the community.

Established in 1983, the Historic City of Jefferson is a prominent non-profit organization in Jefferson City, Missouri. Their primary mission is to preserve the historic buildings of Missouri’s capital city, ensuring that the legacy of the past endures for future generations. Over the years, their efforts have expanded to encompass the preservation of Jefferson City’s fascinating history and the compelling stories of the people who have shaped it. With a dedicated membership of over 400 individuals and local businesses, the Historic City of Jefferson stands as the leading preservation group in mid-Missouri. Committed to promoting the rich history and heritage of Jefferson City, they strive to create a vibrant future while cherishing its cultural significance.

Lincoln University of Missouri is a historically Black, 1890 land-grant, public university that provides excellent educational opportunities to a diverse population within a nurturing, student-centered environment. Lincoln is known for its innovative undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, business administration, criminal justice, elementary education, nursing, business administration, guidance and counseling, and natural science. Located in Jefferson City, Missouri, Lincoln University was founded in 1866 by the men of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries and their white officers for the benefit of freed African Americans. The University boasts an exciting residential life and a full slate of NCAA Division II athletics.