Weekend Trip #1 to Carthage, MO

St. Louis Historic Sites History Meetup Weekend trip #1 of 2026 will be May 1-3 to Carthage, MO. Carthage is in southwest Missouri and is part of the Joplin, MO metropolitan area. HOTEL Information: Carthage is small and does not have a lot of hotels! They are also on Route 66 and this is the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The Boots Court Motel (original Route 66 motel) is already booked. They are expecting a lot of traffic in May - June - July! I have a block of rooms reserved at: Days Inn Carthage 1441 W Central Avenue, Carthage Free breakfast included Phone: 417-358-3900 When you call to reserve your room, make sure you tell them you are part of the St Louis Historic Sites group to get the price deal. We have 2 Kings rooms reserved with a price of $85 a night (before taxes). We have 8 Queen rooms reserved with a cost of $95 a night (before taxes). YOU MUST CALL AND RESERVE YOUR ROOM!! You have until April 20! Then they will release the rooms to the public. Also, if all our rooms are taken, you will have to hope there are still rooms available. Our rooms will be on the 2nd floor and there is no elevator. If you are worried about carrying your luggage upstairs, you can request a room on the main floor. https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/carthage-missouri/days-inn-carthage/overview?CID=LC:iqv0j1dklijly45:50450&iata=00093796 We are still working out details but the following are all options: Friday evening: Either Red Oak II open air museum or Battle of Carthage site (location of early Civil War battle) Sat am: Could be going to Joplin History Museum. Sat lunch Sat pm: Civil War Museum Sat pm: Battle of Carthage Civil War site or Red Oak II open air museum Sat night: Stone's Throw Theater Sunday: Historic Phelps house (confirmed) Self-led walking and driving tours of historic districts Kendrick House Jasper County Courthouse Stone's Throw Theater has a dinner show Saturday night (not history, but something to do with the St Louis Metro East Community Theater group). To sign up for the show, see https://www.meetup.com/thursday-night-community-theater/events/313206445/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=242852914 Joplin is 30 minutes away and has a history museum. You can also see (but not tour) the Bonnie & Clyde apartment. More details to follow in February.