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The white farmhouse at the Jesse James Birthplace, seen past a split-rail fence

Historic Sites

Two hundred years of Missouri, kept in place.

Clay County preserves five sites where the story is still standing — the farm that raised the James brothers, the bank tied to the raid that made them famous, an 1870s church and schoolhouse, and a working farmstead from 1927.

Plan a history day Hours & admission (opens external site)

These aren't reconstructions. Visitors walk the same farmyard where Jesse James was born in 1847, and stand in the Liberty bank preserved as it looked in 1866. The county's historic sites team keeps each place open, honest, and in context — no theater, just the real thing and the people who can tell you about it.

Experience
The white farmhouse at the Jesse James Birthplace behind a split-rail fence Museum Kearney Jesse James Birthplace The James family farm — the farmhouse where Jesse was born, a 20-minute film, and the world's largest collection of James family artifacts, from Jesse's boots to Frank's surrender letter. 21216 James Farm Rd, Kearney · 816-736-8500 Visit the farm →
The brick Jesse James Bank Museum building on Liberty's historic square

Museum Liberty

Jesse James Bank Museum

On Liberty's historic square: the site of the nation's first successful daylight peacetime bank robbery, in 1866 — attributed to the James gang, never solved, and preserved as it stood that February afternoon.

103 N Water St, Liberty · 816-736-8510

The white historic Mt. Gilead Church near Kearney

Weddings & rentals

Mt. Gilead Church

An 1870s country church near Kearney, rentable for weddings, reunions, showers, and picnics. Call to view and reserve.

15918 Plattsburg Rd, Kearney · 816-736-8500

The white one-room Mt. Gilead School with its front porch and flag

Living history Field trips

Mt. Gilead School

A one-room 1870s schoolhouse where classes still run 1880s-style — slates, McGuffey's readers, and a teacher in period dress. Four-hour program for up to 30.

15918 Plattsburg Rd, Kearney · 816-736-8500

The brick farmhouse at Pharis Farm framed by autumn trees

Special events

Pharis Farm

Donald Pharis's 1927 farmstead east of Liberty — 160 acres shaped by an early advocate of soil conservation. Open during special events.

20611 EE Highway, Liberty · 816-736-8500

Plan a history day

The James story, start to finish, in one afternoon.

Begin at the farm where the story starts, end at the bank where it turned legend. The two museums are about 20 minutes apart, and Mt. Gilead is on the way.

Build this itinerary
1

Jesse James Birthplace

Morning · film + farmhouse trail

2

Mt. Gilead Church & School

Midday stop · 10 min drive

3

Jesse James Bank Museum

Afternoon · Liberty square · 15 min drive

History, live and in person

Demo events
All events
AUG 02 One-Room School Day at Mt. Gilead 10:00 AM · Mt. Gilead School, Kearney AUG 15 Lantern Tours of the James Farm 8:00 PM · Jesse James Birthplace AUG 30 "The Liberty Raid: 1866" — History Talk 2:00 PM · Jesse James Bank Museum, Liberty