MoHistory

People are often surprised to learn that the Missouri Historical Society is home to the third largest collection of Thomas Jefferson Papers in the US. Only the Library of Congress and the University of Virginia have larger collections. Our position as a major repository for Jefferson materials can be attributed to renowned philanthropist and collector …

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Maya Angelou’s words “Still I rise” remain etched into the hearts and the minds of all who have read her poetry. The daughter of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson, Marguerite Annie Johnson graced the world with her presence on April 4, 1928. Due to hardships within her parents’ marriage that led to their divorce, …

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Since it was first celebrated in 1970, Earth Day has evoked images of our world’s natural beauty—lush green fields, sparkling blue water, golden rays of sunshine. These are the idealistic, pure visions of a world free from human damage, the seemingly ultimate goal of environmental-based living. These images, though, can also give the impression that environmental …

Continue reading "Ivory Perry, Lead Paint, and a History of Environmental Racism in St. Louis"

Few figures in American history ignite passions quite like Thomas Jefferson. Even in his own time, he was a man who had fierce defenders and passionate detractors. Those passions haven’t cooled, even today, almost 200 years since his death. In part, these passions are fueled by the contradictions of Jefferson’s character. For many people, he …

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Census records are an invaluable resource for genealogists, historians, and researchers delving into any number of topics. These records allow individuals to gain insight into everything from careers, education level, and marital status to larger neighborhood and population trends. On April 1, 2022, the 1950 Census was made available to the public. This is the …

Continue reading "5 Things We’re Already Learning about St. Louis from the 1950 Census"

The few scholars that mention Virginia Irwin—a war correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch during World War II—usually only describe her articles about Russian soldiers during the Battle of Berlin. But it’s worth reexamining all the stories by such a skilled writer. Irwin specialized in human-interest stories, which evoked sympathy and helped readers identify with …

Continue reading "Virginia Irwin: A Writing Showcase"

Listen to an episode about China at the 1904 World’s Fair on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. In 1904, St. Louisans were excited about the World’s Fair for many reasons. Some were excited about going on heart-stopping rides while others wanted to see the latest scientific breakthroughs. And others still were excited to use …

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Every March for Women’s History Month, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) asks this seemingly straightforward question: Can you name five women artists? A few well-known names may come to mind—perhaps you thought of Georgia O’Keefe, Grandma Moses, or Frida Kahlo. But could you name five? NMWA found that many people couldn’t! …

Continue reading "#5WomenArtists: St. Louis Edition, Part 2"

We’re hosting our signature fundraiser, Threads, on April 9, 2022, and this year it’s all about the accessories! Several of St. Louis’s professional and student designers have been tasked with creating a 21st-century design inspired by accessories from the Missouri Historical Society’s textile collections. From hats and shoes to other outfit add-ons like parasols and jewelry, check …

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John O’Fallon barely knew his father James, but the lingering tales of his father as a “reckless, debt-ridden adventurer” certainly contributed to John’s lifelong obsession with business success. While in his early 20s, John heard from his famous uncle William Clark about the incredible amount of goods moving through St. Louis, and headed there in …

Continue reading "The Namesake of O’Fallon, Missouri"

Listen to an episode about W. C. Handy and the “St. Louis Blues” on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. If there is one song that is most closely identified with St. Louis, it would be “St. Louis Blues,” by W. C. Handy. It’s been recorded more than 1,800 times and is, after all, the …

Continue reading "How Nights under the Eads Bridge Led to a Classic St. Louis Song"

Listen to an episode about Miriam Coste Senseney on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. Do you have a 5-second rule in your house? That when you drop food on the floor, you can pick it up and eat it if it’s within 5 seconds? What about expiration dates? Will you drink milk after it’s …

Continue reading "St. Louis’s Food Safety Crusader"

In the early 1900s, a staggering number of men spent their days gathered in saloons, escaping their responsibilities on an ocean of booze. Some lost their family’s income one beer at a time, while others rendered themselves so stammering drunk they couldn’t make it to work. Beer buckets even let them take “one for the …

Continue reading "Carrie Nation’s Hatchetations"

This year marks the 165th anniversary of Scott v. Sandford, one of the most famous US Supreme Court decisions. On March 6, 1857, the court ruled that a Black family from St. Louis, Dred and Harriet Scott and daughters Eliza and Lizzie Scott, were personal property, not citizens. The Scotts’ court case demonstrated how Black …

Continue reading "Dred and Harriet Scott’s Freedom Suit"

Dr. Gerty Cori, a Washington University in St. Louis professor and the recipient of the 1947 Nobel Prize for medicine, was asked to sum up her beliefs on a radio program in 1951. She said, “I believe that cynicism and despair are inimical to first rate achievements in art and science. . . . Honesty …

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“The Barn,” the loving nickname given to the Arena by St. Louisans, is actually quite appropriate. It opened in 1929 as a proud new home for the National Dairy Show, an annual livestock prize contest. Although it featured the show just once, the name stuck on St. Louis’s huge new entertainment space. For 70 years …

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The life and career of Joseph William “J. W.” Postlewaite is elusive and fascinating. For years he and his various bands and orchestras entertained audiences across the St. Louis area. He composed and published works that proved popular in the Midwest. However, his identity as a Black man was either accepted or hidden, depending on …

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Listen to an episode about Satchel Paige on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. St. Louis is the home of many baseball legends, players like Stan Musial, Dizzy Dean, and Bob Gibson. But there’s one legendary pitcher who had a long and storied history with the city of St. Louis, even though he never played …

Continue reading "An All-Star Pitcher for the Ages: Satchel Paige"

Listen to an episode about Nathan B. Young on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. Nathan B. Young Jr., a prominent African American judge in St. Louis, passed away in 1993 at the age of 98. It’s amazing to think about what he experienced over those years—from the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Depression to …

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Often called Missouri’s first Black city, Kinloch has faced more than its share of struggles, but those who grew up there are proud to have called it home. The story of Kinloch illustrates the complex legacy of housing discrimination and segregation within St. Louis, as well as the ways Black communities came together and supported …

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