Do you keep a diary? Lucky for the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Butler Gunn did. Join Associate Archivist Jaime Bourassa as she describes Gunn's life and the contents of his diaries. All of the diaries can be read online, beginning here. Read more »

Many steps go into creating a new collection at the Missouri History Museum—join curator David Lobbig as he takes us through the process in this two-part series. In Part I, you learned the types of information curators gather about new objects. In the second part, learn how objects are cleaned, labeled, and transported to our conservation lab. Read more »

Many steps go into creating a new collection at the Missouri History Museum—join curator David Lobbig as he takes us through the process in this two-part series. In Part I, find out what kind of information curators gather about new objects.

For more Behind the Scenes videos, view our archives. For more and other MHM videos, bookmark or subscribe to the Museum's YouTube page. Read more »

Sometimes libraries and museums acquire items from collectors. In other cases, people donate objects and papers from their own lives. In this video, librarian Emily Jaycox shows the wide variety of items given to the Archives as gifts over the years. From yearbooks to restaurant menus, these items are “not available in stores.” Read more »

While researching Civil War documents, archivist Dennis Northcott came across dozens of letters describing the plight of the 55th Massachusetts infantry, the group of African American soldiers depicted in the 1989 Oscar-winning movie Glory. Watch the video to learn more and to hear an excerpt from one of the letters. Read more »

Last year, Art Hill in St. Louis's Forest Park staged a moving 10th anniversary memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001. The hill was covered with large flags, each dedicated to someone who lost his or her life in the attacks. Missouri History Museum (MHM) curator Sharon Smith shares the tragic story behind one flag, and describes why it was important that MHM preserve a piece of the memorial. Read more »

Ever wonder how libraries and museums acquire their collections? In some cases, they connect with individual collectors. In this video, librarian Emily Jaycox shares how one prominent St. Louisan—William K. Bixby—contributed to the Missouri History Museum Library and Archives. In addition to contributing to Museum collections, Bixby served as Missouri Historical Society president from 1907 to 1913 and again from 1925 to 1930. Next time you visit the Museum, stop by his namesake, Bixby’s restaurant. Read more »

Every object has a story, but some have more dramatic tales to tell. Watch this video to learn how a pocket watch saved a soldier’s life. For more fascinating objects and stories from the Civil War, visit The Civil War in Missouri exhibition, open at the Missouri History Museum through June 2013. Read more »

The Missouri History Museum Library and Archives is a tremendous resource for those studying their family history. In this video, MHM associate archivist Dennis Northcott shares how he discovered a document relating to his great-great-grandfather. Interested in finding your own ancestors in the Museum's archives? Get started here. Read more »

Underneath It All, an exhibition about the evolution of women's undergarments, opens in June at the Missouri History Museum. Senior curator Shannon Meyer gives us a sneak peek at some of the items that may be included in the exhibition. For more Behind the Scenes videos, view our archives. For more and other MHM videos, bookmark or subscribe to the Museum's YouTube page. Read more »