Landing After Hours: Salt: The Mineral that Sustains Us

2/4/2026 | Missouri State Museum | Jefferson City, MO.

Throughout history, salt has been linked to fertility, longevity, loyalty and protection. Salt is essential for cell function and is found in almost every part of the human body. Sources of salt have spurred the growth of settlements, including some in Missouri. Numerous saline springs north of the Missouri River attracted settlers moving westward from St. Charles on the Boone's Lick Trail.

Join Lydia Peifer, the museum's education and outreach interpreter, as she traces salt's impact on global and local history. We will explore salt production, the various types of salt and their uses, and how salt has influenced food and language.

This program is part of the Missouri State Museum's Landing After Hours series. This series is held the first Wednesday of each month at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site. Doors to the site’s Lohman Building open at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. Convenient parking is available in the lot next to the Lohman Building, located at 100 Jefferson St.

The program will also be livestreamed on the Missouri State Museum’s Facebook page. Did you know that you don't have to have a Facebook account to view Facebook videos or live programs? Simply follow the link and enjoy.

For more information about this free program, call the museum at 573-751-2854.

Program Time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.

Program Location:

• In person: Lohman Building, Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, 100 Jefferson St., Jefferson City
• Virtual: Missouri State Museum Facebook page