Springfield, Mo. – The Springfield‑Greene County Library District is proud to showcase two historic horse‑drawn vehicles at its Library Station branch. The original Springfield Wagon, built by the Springfield‑Wagon Company, and a late‑19th‑century mail hack—an enclosed buggy once used by the postal service—arrived on loan from the History Museum on the Square.
Local craftsmanship on full display
The Springfield Wagon Company earned a reputation for quality that reached far beyond the Ozarks, according to the museum. Its sturdy design helped transport families, goods, and livestock across the region during the era of westward expansion. The mail hack, a compact, weather‑proof vehicle, illustrates how residents of southwest Missouri stayed connected before the advent of automobiles and telephones.
Educational materials help residents learn
Library Station staff have prepared interpretive panels that explain each vehicle’s construction, use, and role in the community’s development. Visitors can read about how the wagon’s wooden wheels and iron rims were suited to the rough roads of the 1800s, while the mail hack’s small size made it ideal for navigating narrow town streets to deliver letters and parcels.
Community access is the priority
“We believe our collection should be accessible to the community, not just to those who walk through our museum doors,” said Sean FitzGibbons, executive director of the History Museum on the Square. By placing the artifacts in a public library, the museum hopes to reach families, students, and history enthusiasts who might not otherwise visit a traditional museum setting.
Haley White, branch manager of Library Station, added, “We’re especially proud to showcase a piece of our community’s history and celebrate the fact that the iconic wagon was made right here in Springfield.” The transportation theme of the branch makes the exhibit a natural fit, and the library plans to keep the vehicles on display for the duration of the loan.
From museum to library and back again
Before arriving at Library Station, the wagon and mail hack were displayed at the Route 66 Car Museum. Both pieces originally belonged to the Springfield Art Museum’s collection before being donated to the History Museum on the Square, which facilitated the current loan.
Admission to Library Station is free, and the library encourages residents to explore the exhibit during regular hours. The display not only preserves two valuable artifacts but also reinforces Springfield’s rich transportation legacy, reminding citizens of the ingenuity and hard work of earlier generations.
Looking ahead
The library intends to develop additional programming around the exhibit, including school field trips, hands‑on workshops, and talks by local historians. By integrating the vehicles into everyday library use, the district hopes to foster a deeper appreciation for Springfield’s heritage and inspire future generations to value their local history.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
