The Boone County Historical Society evolved from “Old Settlers” meetings held in the county during the 19th century. In 1963 the Society was formally organized. BCHS opened its first museum facility with the dedication of Maplewood house July 3, 1976. This Italianate style house was built in 1877 by Slater and Margarette Bradford Lenoir and later occupied by their only daughter and her husband, Lavinia and Frank Nifong, MD. In cooperation with the City of Columbia which owns the house and surrounding Nifong park, the Boone County Historical Society, along with other history-minded organizations in Boone County, restored Maplewood for the nation’s bicentennial. Since that time the Society has maintained a cooperative agreement with the City of Columbia to operate Maplewood as an historic house museum.
With the restoration of Maplewood completed, BCHS began to discuss plans to build and develop a history museum adjacent to the historic house in Nifong Park. By the early 1980’s, the Society drafted plans for the museum and began to seek public support for its construction. Construction began in October of 1986 and was completed almost entirely with private contributions, volunteer labor and donated materials.
The Walters-Boone County Museum, named in honor of the Walters Family and major benefactor Raul Walters, opened to the public July 28, 1990. The museum houses history exhibits, offices, meeting space, climate-controlled secure vaults for collection preservation, and a gift shop. The museum is also the home of the Wilson-Wulff Genealogical Library, named in honor of the Wilson and Wulff families, and operated by the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri.
On June 19, 1993, the Society began construction of an addition to the museum with the gift of the estate of Tracy and Pierre Montminy. The Montminy Gallery opened April 24, 1994, and with the addition, the Society is able to present changing exhibits which highlight the work of Boone County regional artists. The Montminy Gallery also provides space for a research library, artifact and photo storage, a black/white darkroom, and a workroom for matting and framing.
The development of the Village at Boone Junction began in 2005 when the Gordon Collins Cabin was moved from the Gordon family farm, now Stephens Park, to Nifong Park. Soon after, in 2007 the Easley Store was relocated to this site from along the river in Easley Missouri. BCHS continues to develop the historic Village at Boone Junction, a planned village of historic homes native to Boone County.
The River-Horse Pavilion, also located on the Museum grounds, was built to house Nikawa, the expedition boat piloted across America by William Trogdon in 2005. A dedication ceremony was held in the fall of 2008.
First-rate facilities, along with the museum’s beautiful setting in 60-acre Nifong Park, have allowed BCHS to conduct a variety of programs and activities. These include Civil War reenactments, Chautauquas, the annual Boone County Heritage Festival, and Christmas celebrations at Maplewood. During the winter months, the Society holds Old Time Fiddlers jam sessions. Bimonthly meetings that include a program on local history are held throughout the year and the public is invited to attend.