Missouri State Archives

Today’s #NationalBisonDay, celebrating the huge ungulates (hooved animals) symbolic of the American prairie! Although hunters extirpated bison from Missouri long ago, we now once again have a few captive and semi-captive herds. (P.S. Don't call them buffalo! Buffalo live in Africa and Asia!) The bison in this 1987 image from our Division of Tourism Collection were photographed in Barton County’s Prairie State Park.

Are you an educator with students participating in the Missouri State Archives-sponsored 2021 central region National History Day in Missouri competition? Consider attending this virtual webinar hosted by the Missouri State University's Department of History on Friday, Nov. 13!

In November, Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich ancestry, traditions and achievements of the United States’ earliest inhabitants. European settlement forced the removal of most native peoples living in Missouri by the mid-1830s, but they left a rich legacy that is still existent to this day. Shown here is a dancer in native dress at the 1998 Missouri State Pow Wow from our Division of Tourism Photograph Collection.

Last Friday, we were visited by three of the 10 agents of decayMold, Fire and Water. Though we managed to keep them at bay, we always have to be vigilant to keep our collections safe! The full cast of culprits includes: 1. Inappropriate Temperature... 2. Inappropriate Relative Humidity 3. Light 4. Pests 5. Physical Forces 6. Contaminants and Pollutants 7. Water 8. Fire 9. Theft, Vandalism and Dislocation 10. Neglect See more

Election Day is here! Be sure to make your voice heard and vote, like President Truman in this photograph from our Publications Non-Portrait Collection.

Happy #NationalAuthorsDay! To celebrate, enjoy this selection of records documenting some of Missouri’s better-known wordsmiths. #MayaAngelou #KateChopin #RobertHeinlein

We had our very own #ArchivalHorror this Halloween season when a drain pipe running above our records center decided to spring a leak last week. Never fearour intrepid conservators were quickly on the scene! After assessing the minimal water damage, they removed the wet records, placing them on drying racks in our conservation lab and processing area.

In our sixth and final #StaffFeature for #AmericanArchivesMonth, we’re shining the spotlight on our conservation lab! The Local Records Program maintains Missouri state government’s only full-scale document conservation lab. Professional conservators evaluate, treat and house paper-based local and state government records. Their efforts dramatically affect the strength, stability and appearance of old paper. In addition to their time in the lab, conservators routinely advise officials on disaster preparedness, environmental controls, housing, displays, pest management and other preservation issues.