The Missouri Historical Society presents their research by types of collections, the types of services they offer such as well as ways to contact them if help is needed. “The Missouri Historical Society (MHS) serves as the confluence of historical perspectives and contemporary issues to inspire and engage audiences in the St. Louis region and beyond” (Society). Their mission statement speaks volumes because of the simple fact that their target audience is not only the St. Louis region, and this message also stands out because they mention sharing perspectives which isn’t commonly seen.
The Missouri Historical Society website doesn’t have a direct time or reason their archine was founded, however, they do mention what collections they do have. MHS has the “William Clark Papers and Meriwether Lewis Collection, Thomas Jefferson Collection, Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company Records (1904 World’s Fair), and the Charles Lindbergh Papers” (Society). These specific documents within the MHS archive are noted as the “highlights of the archives” (Society).
Documents in the archive might need a deep dive into what was going at that time in the World, or more specifically, in that particular space during that specific time in history. The people who might be name dropped in documents might need context given to understand better.
As stated in the mission statement, MHS strives to serve the St. Louis community and beyond. Considering I haven’t done a deep dive into the website itself, I can not tell yet whether the website itself is accessible for not only those of St. Louis but of the entire world. I can imagine the answer would be no just considering the fact that not all documents have been digitized.
The citizens of St. Louis have a stake on the content, as well as the government of St. Louis since they would be the main funder. Another stakeholder might be the descendants of the participating parties of who is mentioned in the archive.
Society, Missouri Historical. “Research | Missouri Historical Society.” The Missouri Historical Society Is … Missouri Historical Society and Was Founded in 1866., https://mohistory.org/research. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.