The Missouri History Museum Traces Its Roots Back To 1866, The Year That The Missouri Historical Society (MHS) Formed In St. Louis And Began Its Work Of ?Saving From Oblivion The Early History Of The City And State.? In The 1880s, MHS Announced Its Intent To Gather Donations Of Historical Artifacts For A Public Museum. The Resulting Response Overwhelmed Existing Storage Space And Led The Organization To Search For A New Home For Its Collections. The Missouri History Museum Then Opened To The Public In 1892.
At The Turn Of The Century, Planning For The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition?Better Known As The 1904 World?s Fair?Coincided With A Renewed Push For The Missouri History Museum And MHS Collections To Gain A More Permanent Home. Proceeds From The Fair Led To The Creation Of The Jefferson Memorial Building, Which Would Include Space For The Missouri History Museum. An Estimated 230,000 People Attended Opening Festivities When The Building Was Dedicated On April 30, 1913.