Museum Archives: Archival Holdings

The entire archival collection comprises approximately 2,900 cubic feet, and dates from the 1880s to the present. Chief among the holdings are the records of all museum directors. Their correspondence and other files document the museum’s growth from the founding of the St. Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, through its development as the City Art Museum, to its present activities as The Saint Louis Art Museum. 

Selected externally created collections are part of the Archives. Some of these collections include:

Art Department Records of the 1904 World's Fair

Halsey Cooley Ives Papers

Morton D. May Papers

Thelma & Bert Ollie Memorial Collection of Abstract Art by Black Artists Files for Research and Education

The Museum Archives houses institutional records from the following departments. Certain departments, including Conservation and Registration, also maintain their own historic documentation in-house as it relates to permanent objects in the art collection.

Board Secretary / Controller's Office

Building Operations, Engineering, & Environmental

Business-Finance 

Curatorial

Conservation

Community Relations / Public Relations

Development [RESTRICTED]

Design

Director's Office

Education (now Learning & Engagement)

Exhibitions & Collections

Human Resources [RESTRICTED]

Information Technology

Library

Museum Shop

Protection Services

Publications

Registration

Special Events - Program Office