History of Fair Buildings

Established in 1899, the Missouri State Fairgrounds is one of the oldest fairgrounds in the nation and serves as a premier agriculture showcase for the Midwest. The Fairgrounds is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with 47 buildings, 5 contributing sites, 7 contributing structures and 7 contributing objects. The grounds feature examples of Art Deco, Mission Revival and Romanesque Revival architecture which serve as exposition halls and livestock barns, among others.

The Fairgrounds, which cover 597 acres in Sedalia, Missouri, is open year-round, providing facilities for horse and livestock shows, art and craft festivals, camping, rallies and other events. During the annual Fair each August, approximately 350,000 visitors enjoy agriculture, educational and recreational activities, a carnival midway and musical entertainment. To learn more about renting the Fairgrounds for an event, visit mostatefairgrounds.com.

The Missouri State Fairgrounds is proud to be a historic facility on the National Historic District. It takes a great team to preserve and maintain all of our historic buildings!

The Missouri State Fair was honored to receive a Preserve Missouri Award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation (Missouri Preservation) in a ceremony at the State Capital in 2019. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the historic preservation of the Coliseum and the Womans Building. There were 9 Preserve Missouri Awards given, along with other individual awards from preservation projects throughout the state. Learn more at The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation website.

Floriculture building. Built in 1930. 8,000 sq. feet
Gerken Dairy Center. Built in 1999. 6,400 sq. feet