MoHistory

Written by TMH Apprentices Finn Kanak, Ayla Lutzeler, and CJ Turner Everyone in St. Louis knows the tragic story of the Titanic, but have you heard about an equally devastating maritime disaster on the Mississippi River? About 160 years ago, the SS Sultana violently exploded and sank on its trip from New Orleans to St. …

Continue reading "The Sultana Explosion on the Mississippi River"

Written by TMH Apprentices Lucinda Thorn, Mikey Wells, and Marian Williams Al Capone is widely known as the most notorious gangster in American history, but few people today know of the St. Louisan who played a crucial role in his downfall: E. J. O’Hare. Before working with Capone in Chicago, O’Hare was a successful businessman, …

Continue reading "The St. Louisan Who Brought Down Al Capone"

EDITOR’S NOTE: In order to bring a plurality of voices to our storytelling, the Missouri Historical Society frequently asks guest writers to contribute to History Happens Here. The views and opinions expressed by guest contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missouri Historical Society, its affiliates, or …

Continue reading "Saying Goodbye to Lucky Inn"

On January 11, 1865, the delegates of the Missouri State Constitutional Convention passed the immediate emancipation of all enslaved people in the state. This ordinance was passed just three weeks before Congress proposed the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution to abolish slavery, but several years after the earliest attempt during the Civil War. When …

Continue reading "Why Does Missouri Have Its Own Emancipation Day?"

Forest Park is home to so many traditions that are considered quintessential to living in St. Louis—like watching a show at The Muny or riding the train at the Saint Louis Zoo. But, to me, the best one of all is sledding on Art Hill. It’s happy chaos: no rules, no order, and open to …

Continue reading "Sledding on Art Hill: An STL Tradition"

2024 was a transformational year at the Missouri Historical Society. The premiere of MHS’s first new 1904 World’s Fair exhibit in two decades, the debut of Gateway to Pride, and the opening of Ghost Army at Soldiers Memorial made last year one of the most exciting in our 158-year history. But as we’ve said, we’re …

Continue reading "The Year Ahead: 2025 Exhibits at MHS"

We often think of winter holiday traditions as fixed—a collection of rituals that repeat year after year to mark the passing of time. But in reality, holidays are always evolving, shaped by shifting cultural practices and changing societal values. The ways we celebrate, and even the holidays we choose to celebrate, are constantly in flux. …

Continue reading "Winter Holiday Traditions: A Reflection of Changing Times"

This is the third blog post in a four-part series looking at the Ghost Army of World War II. Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II is a special exhibit open at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum until May 26, 2025. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the Ghost Army, was, in …

Continue reading "Setting the Stage: The Ghost Army’s Radio Deception"

St. Louis is home to toys that were developed, tested, and loved right here in our city, so we’re sharing an exclusive peek into our vintage toys and games collection. This compilation is not just a trip down memory lane—it’s a vibrant celebration of the playthings that sparked joy and creativity in the hearts of …

Continue reading "Fun and Games: 5 Vintage Toys in the MHS Collections"

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the images included in this post are sensitive in nature. Please proceed with caution. Unless you know someone buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, you may see only names engraved upon stone. But Jefferson Barracks contains more stories of courage and sacrifice than most people realize. This post marks the 80th …

Continue reading "Our Honored Dead: The Horrific Story Behind Jefferson Barracks’s Largest Group Burial"

Artist Matthew Hastings was born in Washington, DC, in 1834, and came to St. Louis in the 1840s, where he initially lived on Market Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. He was friends with the famous American artists George Caleb Bingham and Carl Wimar. After attending Saint Louis University, he started his artistic career as a …

Continue reading "Artist Revealed: Matthew Hastings in “Last Sale of Slaves in St. Louis”"

When visiting the new 1904 World’s Fair exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, visitors are met with many fascinations. There’s the scale model featuring people walking along the streets, trolleys coming into stations, and shadows of clouds wafting overhead. A visitor can see and read about souvenirs and other artifacts on display. The sounds of ragtime and …

Continue reading "The Family Behind the Iconic 1904 World’s Fair Ice Cream Photograph"

When I think of a doctor making a house call in the 19th century, I imagine someone who arrives in my home and sets an old-fashioned leather case down, preparing to address whatever medical problem has arisen. What I don’t perhaps consider is the popular practice of homeopathy, especially among women, in St. Louis in …

Continue reading "Homeopathic Remedies: Early Female Physicians in St. Louis"

Make Sold on St. Louis your home for local holiday shopping this season! There’s no better place to pick up an STL stocking stuffer or a handcrafted gift for someone special than the store that’s all St. Louis, all the time. With more than 150 local makers, artists, and brands, there’s truly something for everyone …

Continue reading "The Sold on St. Louis Holiday Shopping Guide"

I was part of the team that brought the Missouri History Museum’s new World’s Fair exhibit to life—doing things like writing captions, editing content for interactive media, and compiling a document of what each of the 60-plus participating countries brought to the Fair. That document evolved into an infographic, a map of the world that …

Continue reading "Changing Perceptions at the 1904 World’s Fair"

Today, some 120 years after the 1904 World’s Fair closed, millions of people from all over the world are still obsessed with the Fair. But if you ask them, you’ll find that many of them weren’t introduced to the Fair from a picture in a history book or a description of the Fair’s attractions. Instead, …

Continue reading "A Meet Me in St. Louis Reunion"

The Lemp family, once celebrated for their thriving brewing empire and lavish lifestyle, seemed to have everything—wealth, influence, and a grand mansion that embodied their success. Yet, behind the big, black doors of the Lemp Mansion, a series of personal tragedies quietly unfolded, ultimately shaping the family’s tragic legacy. Johann “Adam” Lemp, born in 1836 …

Continue reading "Death and Despair in the Lemp Mansion"

This is the second blog post in a four-part series looking at the Ghost Army of World War II. Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II is a special exhibit open at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum until January 12, 2025. Of the four tactics of deception that the Ghost Army mastered, sonic …

Continue reading "Going Bump in the Night: The Ghost Army’s Sonic Deception"

As 2024 comes to an end, we hope you’ll celebrate with us through exciting book launches, festive holiday programs, and family-friendly activities to make the most of winter break. When you visit, don’t miss exhibits like Ghost Army at Soldiers Memorial or The 1904 World’s Fair at the Missouri History Museum, where a dress and …

Continue reading "End the Year with 11 Things to Do at MHS"

Rusty. Ginger. Copper Top. If you know a redhead, or are lucky enough to be one yourself, chances are you’ve heard these nicknames before. Redheads hold a special place in cultures around the world. In every shade from deepest auburn to brightest orange, less than 2% of the world’s population are natural redheads, yet they …

Continue reading "Five Famous Missouri Redheads"