Above: The front of the Missouri History Museum facing Lindell Boulevard, courtesy of Sophie Grus.
When people think about the city of St. Louis, they tend to first think about the Gateway Arch. Then, they might think about baseball or maybe they think about something more historical like the Lewis and Clark expedition. Either way, a person is probably not thinking about museums—but they should be! St. Louis has an incredible array of fantastic museums ranging from history to art to music and everything in-between.
While any one of St. Louis’ institutions could be discussed, I want to write about one of my favorites, and one that I believe offers something for everyone, the Missouri History Museum. As a piece of St. Louis history in its own right, the museum has resided in Forest Park for over 100 years and the historical society that oversees it has been keeping the city’s past safe for more than 150 years. Today, it continues to be a vital part of the city and county’s community.
The Missouri Historical Society formed in 1866 in the aftermath of the Civil War, but the museum didn’t open its doors until 1892 in downtown St. Louis. When the 1904 World’s Fair opened in the city, the society made sure that revenue from the fair went towards the creation of a memorial to Thomas Jefferson and included a public museum building. The Missouri History Museum opened after a dedication of the building on April 3, 1913. It has resided there ever since.
In 1987, residents of St. Louis and St. Louis County voted to include the Missouri Historical Society in the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD). The ZMD originally formed in 1971 as a government entity to provide tax support to the then struggling cultural institutions in the city. The inclusion of the history museum gave it much needed tax support, which helped support the society’s mission. In the decades since, they’ve expanded the museum building and added a library and research center as well as Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.
Besides residing in Forest Park—St. Louis’ pride and joy (sorry, Gateway Arch)—the History Museum features constantly changing exhibits on national topics with a community focus. Currently, the museum is showcasing the exhibits “Mighty Mississippi” and “Beyond the Ballot: Suffrage and St. Louis.” Both of these exhibits highlight what makes this museum impressive—collections and community collaboration. In “Mighty Mississippi,” the museum features a wide-array of artifacts from their extensive collection to help tell the story of the Mississippi River in St. Louis. Any visitor walking through the exhibit’s entrance will be immediately immersed in the underwater world of the Mississippi River. They use sounds and large moving images to give the feel of being on the river. After exploring that world they’ll emerge in a space that examines the ways people have used the river to their advantage. It’s an eye-popping way to look at a topic Missourians have enjoyed since the state’s beginnings.
And, in “Beyond the Ballot: Suffrage and St. Louis,” the museum partnered with a local illustrator to bring to life the many women who have impacted the city of St. Louis since its founding in 1764. Visitors will immediately be confronted with dozens of images of women of all types who’ve influenced and changed the city and the surrounding area since its founding. As visitors wind through the exhibit, they can see the women who have been a part of every single piece of St. Louis history—and learn how they pushed the state to ratify the 19th Amendment. It’s a colorful and fun take on a relevant topic.
These exhibits are constantly changing. I’m always returning to the museum to see what’s new. I’ve learned about St. Louis and Route 66, the Civil Rights Movement in the city and explored the city through life-size versions of panoramic photographs. Every single time I visit, I learn something new through beautifully designed and crafted spaces.
Additionally, the museum caters to its younger audience with the History Clubhouse. This award-winning space is designed specifically with children and families in mind. You can explore downtown St. Louis with 15 foot replicas of iconic buildings, ride a trolley, or eat at a café. All while learning a bit about St. Louis history.
I promise you’ll find something to love when you visit the Missouri History Museum. And if not, well… you’re still in Forest Park!
The Missouri History Museum is located in Forest Park, at the intersection of Lindell Blvd. and DeBaliviere Ave. There are two small lots adjacent to the museum, but Forest Park offers free parking throughout the area, and two free lots can be found a block from the exhibit next to the Park’s visitors’ center.
The museum is currently open Wednesday through Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm. Because of COVID-19, visitors are required to have a ticket, but tickets are FREE and available online through their website mohistory.org.
Sophie Grus is the curator of exhibits for the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Missouri. She’s designed and opened her own exhibits including “Missouri Trailblazers” and a Missouri Bicentennial timeline illustrated by artist Dan Zettwoch. Sophie earned her BA in history from Missouri State University and her MA in history with a concentration in museum studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She’s interned and worked with other institutions including Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the American Optometric Association’s Archive and Museum of Optometry.
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Sophie Grus is the curator of exhibits for the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Missouri. She’s designed and opened her own exhibits including “Missouri Trailblazers” and a Missouri Bicentennial timeline illustrated by artist Dan Zettwoch. Sophie earned her BA in history from Missouri State University and her MA in history with a concentration in museum studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She’s interned and worked with other institutions including Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the American Optometric Association’s Archive and Museum of Optometry.