Civil WarSpecial Exhibits
Simple objects and images can tell powerful stories that evoke strong feelings. A propaganda poster from the Second World War, a sepia-tone photograph in a family album, and a pair of beaded moccasins each reveal intimate details about the people and the cultures from which they came. Recognizing the potential power of images and objects, many of Missouri's museums, libraries, archives, and educational institutions have drawn upon their diverse cultural resources to create digital exhibits. These exhibits use artifacts, photographs, works of art, and historic documents to illustrate stories, ideas, and themes from the state's rich past. The Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative makes this rich selection of stories easily accessible to the people of Missouri through this online exhibit webpage.
All Special Exhibits
 |
American Regionalism: Visions from the Heartland Contributed by: University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology This online exhibition presents important American Regionalist paintings, prints, and drawings in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art and Archaeology. This artistic movement represented everyday life in the heart of the United States during the 1920s through the 50s and later. |
 |
Art to Enchant: Illustrators and Shakespeare Contributed by: Washington University Libraries Special Collections Images from illustrated editions of Shakespeare's works. The editions range from 1744 through 1986. |
 |
Deafness in Disguise Contributed by: Becker Medical Library, Washington University Deafness in Disguise presents images, illustrations, advertising pamphlets, trade catalogs, patents, rare books and other material pertaining to mechanical and electrical hearing devices from the 19th and 20th centuries. Of particular focus are hearing devices that were designed for concealment or camouflage within everyday items. |
 |
Dramatic Images Contributed by: University of Missouri-Columbia University Archives Exhibit drawn from a collection of action, still, and cast photograph negatives from plays performed by the UMC Missouri Workshop Theatre between 1927 and 1951. |
 |
Early Manuscripts by Charlotte Brontė: "The Secret" and "Lily Hart" Contributed by: University of Missouri-Columbia Special Collections An example of a Bronte manuscript written in the tiny handwriting that is a characteristic of almost all the Brontė juvenilia. |
 |
Frisco Travel Exhibit Contributed by: Missouri State University Special Collections and Archives Department Selection of ephemera, documents, postcards, photographs, and artifacts documenting the Saint Louis-San Francisco Railway. The items were used in creating the MSU Archives and Special Collection's Frisco Travel Exhibit in 2008. |
 |
Heart of the University: MU Libraries Contributed by: University Archives, University of Missouri-Columbia A digital exhibit on the history of the University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries. |
 |
Hezzie Goes to War: World War I through the Eyes of a Mid-Missourian Contributed by: University of Missouri Museum of Anthropology; State Historical Society of Missouri World War I through the eyes of John Hezekiah ("Hezzie") Pattrick through his letters home to Mother and Dad, his photographs and postcards, and items worn, used and collected by him. |
 |
Kirksville Cyclone Contributed by: Pickler Memorial Library Special Collections, Truman State University Centennial photo exhibit of the destruction wrought by Kirksville's April 1899 tornado. |
 |
Lasting Impressions: German-Americans in St. Louis Contributed by: St. Louis Public Library An ongoing exhibit of pictures, family histories, recommended websites, suggested readings, and other resources highlighting German-Americans' contributions to life in the St. Louis area. |
 |
Lincoln and the Dome Contributed by: Pickler Memorial Library Special Collections/Archives, Truman State University The creation and restoration of Allyn Cox's cartoon for a segment of "The Hall of Capitols" mural in the United States Capitol |
 |
Medicine in the Jungle: Dr. Thomas Dooley and Earl Rhine in Laos Contributed by: State Historical Society of Missouri An digital exhibit documenting how Dr. Thomas A. Dooley and his American assistants, Earl Rhine and Dwight Davis, took medical care, American friendship and humanitarian aid to people in Laos. |
 |
Meet Me at the Union Contributed by: University Archives, University of Missouri-Columbia Images of the University of Missouri Memorial Union from its planning and construction to its completion. |
 |
Mineral Area Historic Building Landscape through an Architect's Eyes Contributed by: Missouri Humanities Council KRJ Architects This study examines the Mineral Area historic building landscape, and how it was influenced by the availability of materials, labor, and cultural background of the builders. |
 |
Missouri Tigers: The many faces of Mizzou's mascot Contributed by: University of Missouri-Columbia Exhibit featuring images of the University of Missouri's mascot from its beginnings in the 1890s through the end of the 20th century. |
 |
Mizzou on Canvas: A Portrait of Leadership Contributed by: University Archives, University of Missouri-Columbia Some oil paintings of University of Missouri curators, deans and faculty, presidents and contributors that can be found in many of the buildings on campus. |
 |
Mizzourah! MU Football: The Early Years Contributed by: University Archives, University of Missouri-Columbia History of University of Missouri football from 1890 to mid-twentieth century. |
 |
Musicians Local No. 627 and the Mutual Musicians Foundation: The Cradle of Kansas City Jazz Contributed by: Miller Nichols Library, University of Missouri - Kansas City Web exhibit on the history of Kansas Citys Local 627, the African-American Musicians Union founded in 1917 and now known as the Mutual Musicians Foundation. |
 |
Origins and History of the Washington University School of Medicine Contributed by: Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University A digitized version of an exhibit mounted at the Bernard Becker Medical Library in 1991 celebrating the Centennial of the Washington University School of Medicine. The exhibit contains maps, illustrations, photographs, ephemera, and includes numerous faculty profiles. |
 |
Paper Dinosaurs, 1824-1969 Contributed by: Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology An exhibit of original printed materials related to the history of dinosaur discovery. |
 |
Poplar Bluff History Photo Pages Contributed by: Poplar Bluff Jr. High School Pictorial history of Poplar Bluff schools, hotels, community buildings, businesses, hospitals, churches, rivers, railroads, and streets. |
 |
Powerful Grace Lies in Herbs and Plants Contributed by: Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University ; Missouri Botanical Garden Library A joint exhibit between Becker Medical Library and the Missouri Botanical Garden Library that showcases works on herbal medicine dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. |
 |
Propaganda War: World War II Posters Contributed by: Winston Churchill Memorial and Library in the United States This exhibit of World War II posters shows how the media was used to send official messages. Posters also indirectly reflected the values, behavior, and attitudes of the American public. |
 |
Quest for the Cure: Care and Treatment in Missouri's First State Mental Hospital Contributed by: Missouri State Archives Exhibit traces the history and development of Missouri's first mental hospital from 1844. |
 |
Ravenna Mosaic Company: A Retrospective Contributed by: Pius XII Memorial Library, St. Louis University An exhibit on the Ravenna Mosaics Company including the complete mosaics making process. |
 |
Roman Imperial Coin Portraits Contributed by: University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology Roman coins exhibited here show examples of Roman Imperial portraits of the 1st and 2nd centuries after Christ. |
 |
Spiritual Journeys: Books Illustrating the First Two Centuries of Contemplation and Action in the Society of Jesus Contributed by: St. Louis University Featuring early Jesuit works from Pius Library's rare book collection, this exhibit explores the evolution of Jesuit identity over the first two centuries of the Society's existence. |
 |
Terra Incognita Contributed by: Washington University Libraries Special Collections An exhibit featuring early printed accounts of exploration and cultural encounters between what is known as the Old World or Europe and the New World or the Americas. |
 |
Thomas Hart Benton: Murals in the Missouri State Capitol Contributed by: Truman State University Art Department; Missouri State Museum An exhibit which focuses on the Thomas Hart Benton murals at the Missouri State Capitol. This exhibit includes an image gallery, an analysis of the mural, biographical information about Benton, a history of Regionalism, and educational resources for the classroom. |
 |
Ticket to the Past: The First 25 Years of the Missouri State Fair Contributed by: Missouri State Archives Exhibit highlights several aspects of the State Fair, begun in 1901. |
 |
Upset! Truman's Whistle Stop Campaign Remembered Contributed by: Missouri State Archives Collection of memorabilia and records recounting Truman's nomination, the Whistle Stop campaign, election, and inauguration in 1948-1949. |
 |
Voices of World War II: Experiences from the Front and the Home Front Contributed by: Miller Nichols Library, University of Missouri - Kansas City A website created to focus on World War II and how it was experienced in Kansas City through the popular media. |
 |
Ward Parkway "A Grand American Avenue" Contributed by: State Historical Society of Missouri History of the Ward Parkway in Kansas City including its land donors, development process participants, and landmarks and nearby houses, businesses and churches. |
 |
What a Piece of Work is Man: Reading the Body in Medieval Manuscripts Contributed by: St. Louis University A digital version of the exhibition hosted by Pius XII Memorial Library in October 2008. The exhibit explores the ways that the human body was depicted in medieval manuscripts, and what can be learned about medieval society from these depictions. |
 |
Women's Work: Portraits of 12 Scientific Illustrators from the 17th to the 21st Century Contributed by: Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology This collection brings together the work of a group of six historic women scientific illustrators and demonstrates the strong foundation they built by also presenting the work of six contemporary women. |
 |
Y1.9K: Mizzou in 1900 Contributed by: University of Missouri-Columbia, University Archives A glance at the year 1900 highlights significant changes and innovative measures in the history of the University of Missouri. |
