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The Pony Express National Museum, Saint Joseph, MO

Learn about the history of the Pony Express, a mail service on horseback that delivered messages, newspapers, mail and small packages from Saint Joseph, Missouri across the Great Plains, over the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada to Sacramento, California, at the Pony Express National Museum as part of this group motorcoach vacation package. In April of 1860, a lone rider, the first of his kind, left Pikes Peak Stables in Saint Joseph, marking the start of the Pony Express. Today, Pikes Peak houses a modern, interactive and educational tribute to the history and legend of the mail service.

Visiting the Pony Express National Museum

Start your visit to the Pony Express National Museum in the Pony Express Theater featuring a 16-minute live action documentary on the Pony Express. Visitors of all walks of life are sure to be captivated by the exciting, educational and state-of-the-art exhibits that explore the days of the Pony Express. Be sure to stop by the Gift Store to browse items related to the Pony Express National Museum.

The Pony Express National Museum Exhibit Highlights

Exhibits at the Pony Express National Museum chronicle the need, creation, operation and termination of the Pony Express. See the Stables where horses were originally kept at Pikes Peak; the stables were originally designed to have two pair of stalls, separated by an aisle wide enough for a small wagon or carriage. Display horses in the Stables are from the Wyeth Saddle Company, circa 1880 and originally used to display saddles. Learn about the founders of the Pony Express, William Russell, Alexander Majors and William Waddell in Risk Takers (The Founders). Look For M. Jeff Thompson showcases M. Jeff Thompson’s, Mayor of Saint Joseph, famous speech during the inaugural ride of the Pony Express. Join one of Pony Express riders as the journey to California; On The Trail is a 60-foot diorama that will take from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Step inside a replica of a Relay Station and see where riders stopped for a drink, to use the bathroom and change the mochila over to a fresh horse. Meet the Riders features the names of all the riders the Museum recognizes as well as a display case with the names of the better known riders. Discover how the Telegraph brought the Pony Express to an end after only 18 months of operation.

Messick Gallery

The Messick Gallery showcases original works by George Gray, Ken Payne, Gus Shafer and Benton Clark. Highlighted in the Gallery is Charles Hargen’s painting of the first ride of Johnny Fray as he leaves Pikes Peak Stables with the westbound mail.

Shopping at the Pony Express National Museum Store

Stop by the Museum Store to shop for gifts and keepsakes to remember your visit to the Pony Express National Museum. Pony Express memorabilia including books, DVDs, apparel and collectibles are available to purchase.

Travel Tips

- The Pony Express National Museum is ADA complaint.

- Benches are located throughout the Museum for your comfort.

- Camera and video recorders are welcome in the Pony Express National Museum.

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