Welcome to Missouri's History Day State Contest!
Congratulations to all participants in the National History Day State Contest! We’re excited to welcome you to this year’s competition. On this page, you’ll find everything you need for contest day, including category locations, building directions, parking details, and lodging information.
The Welcome Center and t-shirt pick-up will be located at the State Historical Society of Missouri (605 Elm Street). It will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You do not need to arrive right at 8:00 a.m., the Welcome Center will remain open until 2:00 p.m.
Please note that t-shirts will not be mailed. All participating NHD students must pick up their shirts by 2:00 p.m. T-shirts will be available only for students who selected a size during online registration or for individuals who purchased a shirt online. Please pick up only the number of shirts assigned to you.
Be sure to watch for information about our social media contest as well!
We look forward to a fantastic day celebrating your hard work and achievements!
The Welcome Center and t-shirt pick-up will be located at the State Historical Society of Missouri (605 Elm Street). It will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You do not need to arrive right at 8:00 a.m., the Welcome Center will remain open until 2:00 p.m.
Please note that t-shirts will not be mailed. All participating NHD students must pick up their shirts by 2:00 p.m. T-shirts will be available only for students who selected a size during online registration or for individuals who purchased a shirt online. Please pick up only the number of shirts assigned to you.
Be sure to watch for information about our social media contest as well!
We look forward to a fantastic day celebrating your hard work and achievements!
Competition Locations and Building Directions
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State Historical Society of Missouri
T-shirt Pickup 605 Elm Street |
Jesse Auditorium
Awards Ceremony 801 Conley Ave |
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Arts and Science Building
Papers and Performances 902 Conley Ave |
Strickland Hall
Websites and Documentaries 805 Rollins St |
MU Recreation Center
Exhibits 1000 Rollins St |
Parking on Campus
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Parking garages on Hitt, University, Virginia, Conley and Turner Avenues are FREE on Saturdays. Cars may also park for free on campus lots except at residence halls—avoid restricted spaces, “placard parking,” and spaces marked for official cars. Large buses must park in lot RP10. It is best to drop participants off on campus and then park buses. Please make sure to pay the meters if you park in a metered spot.
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Lot RP10
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Category Instructions
- All participating entries will be interviewed in the preliminary (AM) round.
- See Student Interviews for the interview schedule.
- Schedule times cannot be changed once added.
- Finalists for all categories will be posted in their respective judging buildings by 12:45 p.m.
- The final (PM) round begins at 1 p.m. Documentary and Performance students need to be present for the final round to show their film or perform. Exhibit students need to keep their projects and paperwork up for judges. Interviews will not be conducted in the final rounds.
- Please note: It is the student’s responsibility to bring their project and (several copies of their) project paperwork for the judges. Students are responsible for operating all their own equipment, as necessary. Students must also arrive on time for interviews in the preliminary round and must show up to the final round (performance and documentary students) on time if they advance.
- Please note: Students are allowed assistance carrying and placing heavy objects. Help with assembly of exhibits or props, on stage or in the halls, violates NHD rules.
Documentaries
- You will screen your film and complete your interview in Strickland Hall.
- Classrooms are equipped with computers connected to projectors. Login information will be provided.
- Strongly recommended: Bring your own (or your school’s) laptop and a flash drive containing your video file as a backup. Do not rely solely on classroom Wi-Fi or technology.
- While audiences enjoy viewing films on the projector, as long as judges can clearly view your documentary, you are in good shape.
- Bring at least four (4) copies of your project paperwork for judges.
- Bring additional copies if you applied for special prizes judged on contest day.
Papers
- Interviews will take place in the Arts & Science Building.
- Bring at least four (4) copies of your paper for judges.
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Exhibits
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Websites
- You will present your website and interview in Strickland Hall.
- Classrooms have computers connected to projectors; login information will be available.
- Strongly recommended: Bring a laptop or tablet as a backup.
Performances
- Performances and interviews will take place in the Arts & Science Building.
- To ensure everyone can hear clearly, please do not stand in performance hallways unless you are next to perform.
- Remove all props at the end of the contest day.
- Bring at least four (4) copies of your project paperwork for judges.
- Bring additional copies if you applied for special prizes judged on contest day.
People are welcome to view documentaries, performances, papers, and websites during the preliminary rounds (AM). The exhibit hall is open to the public from 8:00-9:00 a.m. and from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in between judging rounds. Only judges should be in the exhibit hall from 9:00-9:30 a.m. during the judge walkthrough. The exhibit hall is closed to the public during student interviews from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Documentaries and performances are also open to public viewing in the final rounds (PM). If extra judges are in the room, special prize judging may be taking place. Please be kind, quiet, and respectful as students display their projects and interviews take place.
Awards Ceremony
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Jesse Auditorium
Evaluation & Feedback Pickup All State Contest evaluations (including judge feedback) must be picked up at the Awards Ceremony.
Important for Teachers/Group Leaders To help streamline evaluation pickup:
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Lodging
There are many great lodging options in Columbia, MO for you to choose from, but we do recommend you make your hotel reservations early, as Columbia hotels are busy in the spring! Stay tuned for 2026 room block information.
- Stoney Creek: $159/per night; located on 2601 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203; Booking: Call-In and mention "National History Day in Missouri Block" ( 573-442 -6400 and select option TWO for guest services )
- Drury Inn & Suites $155/per night; located on 1000 Knipp Street, Columbia, MO 65203 ; Booking: Call-In ( 1-800-325-0720) and refer to Group Number (10174407) or go online: www.druryhotels.com and enter group number (10174407).
- Please note: If these hotels are full, other accommodations in Columbia are listed here.
Food and Recreation
- Explore the Columbia Convention and Visitor's page for dining options in Columbia.
- In addition to local restaurants, there are two food courts on campus in the vicinity of the buildings where National History Day in Missouri judging takes place.
- MU Student Center (901 Rollins Rd, Columbia, MO) open at 9 am: Formerly Brady Commons, the Student Center is located across from the MU Rec Center, and just east of the Strickland Building and south of the Arts & Sciences Building. It includes several dining options and access to the University Bookstore. It can be entered from Rollins Street and Kuhlman Court. Please be aware that all of Mizzou's on-campus dining facilities are cashless. They accept Apply Pay, Google Pay, credit and debit cards.
- Memorial Union (518 Hitt St, Columbia, MO) open at 9 am: Memorial Union is the building with the large, Gothic-style tower just across Hitt Street from Ellis Library. It contains a Starbucks.
Emergency Situations
In case of severe weather such as a tornado, heavy flooding, or other emergencies, NHDMO will share a message with state contest participants. If no emergency message is sent out, assume that the contest will go on as planned.
