New Haven on the Missouri

New Haven can be explored primarily through the Missouri River and the town’s history. At the river, there is an access point, a boat ramp, and the opportunity to fish from the riverbank; there is also a short walking path along the levee in the town center. Museums, Anna Bell Chapel as a historic church, and an annual event offer further points of interest. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on river activities, local history, or a particular date in December.

Missouri River and Trails

The New Haven Access provides access to the Missouri River at river mile 82 in New Haven. There is a single-lane concrete boat ramp, and fishing is possible along the adjoining riverbank. The ramp and riverbank serve different activities: boating on the one hand, and fishing directly by the river on the other. Both are part of New Haven Access.

Another connection to the river is the scenic riverside walking path along the levee in the town center. It is ¼ mile long. While the New Haven Access focuses on the ramp and bank fishing, the levee path is a short walking route. You can choose between the two options based on your planned activity, without combining them into a single route or outing.

Churches and Local History

At 225 Selma Street, Anna Bell Chapel stands on a hill overlooking the Missouri River. Built in 1893, the church served New Haven’s African American community for more than 100 years. Here, a specific year of construction, the long history of a community, and views over the river come together. The former AME Church of New Haven has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992.

Another historic connection to the Missouri River leads back to the town’s beginnings: Philip Miller established a wood yard there to supply steamboats. This became Miller’s Landing, which was later called New Haven. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed the present-day site of New Haven. The expedition’s connection to the present-day site adds a local perspective to the Lewis and Clark exhibits.

Museums and Exhibits

The Springgate Museum displays china from New Haven’s historic Central Hotel. The “New Haven School Days” exhibit also includes a furnished classroom built to scale. The “The Journey Begins” gallery presents a timeline with exhibits on early Indigenous culture, Lewis and Clark, fur trappers, and early settlers.

The John Colter Museum and Visitor Center in New Haven features exhibits with artifacts from the Indigenous peoples of North America. It is named after a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The “Steamboat Room” documents the origins of Miller’s Landing with models, paintings, and photographs. The range of topics covered in these exhibits therefore extends from early Indigenous culture and expeditions to the origins of the town.

Plan Your Visit and Events

Public access to the museums in New Haven is by appointment. Arrange your museum visit in advance. New Haven’s Candlelight Christmas House Tour has been held annually on the first Sunday in December since 1988. If the event is a key part of your trip, check the date for the relevant year before making plans.

If you’re looking for a hotel in New Haven, the reason for your stay can shape your plans: river activities, local history, or the December event each lead to different itineraries. First decide which of these aspects of the town matters to you; museum visits by appointment and the annual event each have a specific planning consideration.

Discover more destinations: Union, Sullivan, Villa Ridge, Saint Clair, Pacific.

For the broader travel overview: Franklin County.