7/19/2025 | Washington State Park | De Soto, MO
Join us at Washington State Park to explore three different time periods and learn how the character of the park and the surrounding area was shaped during each of these eras.
Stop 1: Mississippian History – 2 p.m. at the petroglyph site
Join staff for a tour of the park's petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings made by ancestors of modern Native Americans. Hear about research that has been done on the petroglyph site, possible connections between this site and other archaeological sites, and what life might have been like for the people who made these carvings.
Stop 2: Old Mines History (1700s) – 4 p.m. at the campground amphitheater
Located just south of the park, Old Mines was home to one of the earliest French settlements in Missouri. Join us to learn about the community's establishment, how it functioned commercially, and what life was like there during the 1700s.
Stop 3: Great Depression Era: Washington State Park is Built – 7 p.m. at the campground amphitheater
Learn about the development of Washington State Park in the 1930s. Hear the history of Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1743, and see interesting photos and artifacts from the construction of the park.
This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. For more information, call 636-586-5768.
Washington State Park is located at:
Associated activities
- Interpretive Programs