Gain a deeper insight into the development of St. Louis and the surrounding area as you browse the photographs and artefacts collected in the Missouri History Museum. The collection was begun by local residents in 1866 "for the purpose of saving from oblivion the early history of the city and state". It has a priceless selection of local objects marking significant moments in the city’s history.
In the permanent collection you’ll find a beautiful antique Chinese desk from the World’s Fair, which was held on the site in 1904. The neoclassical building that was constructed to house the museum in 1913 and now acts as its entrance was placed at the gates of this renowned exhibition. Look upwards as you enter and you’ll catch sight of another local treasure: the model of the Spirit of Saint Louis plane, the first to cross the Atlantic.
The museum has three main galleries, two of which are dedicated to the city’s history while the third leads visitors through the World’s Fair using photographs and other artefacts from the early 20th century. The displays are not just limited to photographs and historical relics – there is also a range of videos, games and interactive exhibitions for children and the young at heart.
As well as the permanent collections, the Missouri History Museum has a full calendar of events throughout the year. From temporary exhibitions covering everything from the Ice Age to Gridiron, to poetry readings, jazz recitals and a whole series of curators’ talks that are worth checking out if you happen to be in the area. To find out what’s on, it’s a good idea to visit the informative museum website before you visit and plan your trip around anything you might want to see.
The website also lists opening times and entry fees for the temporary exhibitions, which are usually inexpensive. The permanent collection and entry to the museum building is free of charge. The museum is open daily and can be reached by taking the Metro from downtown St. Louis in the direction of Forest Park. There is limited parking available on site, but this tends to fill up quickly.
