From the collection of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Posted: March 01, 2012 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Twelfth Infantry soldiers and a policeman relaxing at Fort Yates, North Dakota. V101-13
Indian Wars Widows Project Records
JEFF-9015, Record Unit 101
by Jennifer Clark, Archivist
For the first time, the object of the month is an archival collection, so I would like to explain a bit about the nature of archival collections and why an entire set of papers and photographs is cataloged as one unit.
Unlike a single artifact, an archival collection gains significance only in being a part of
Posted: February 01, 2012 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Meyer Brothers Drug Company Artifacts
from left to right: blue canister JEFF-7030, blue bottle JEFF-7010, pestle 7845, mortar 6832, Extr. Raspberry bottle JEFF-6962, Jasmin a bottle JEFF-6990, glass funnel JEFF 7512
by Kathleen Moenster, Assistant Curator
St. Louis was once recognized as the home of one of the leading drug and chemical makers in the United States. A major wholesale drug house was the Meyer Brothers Drug Company
Posted: January 03, 2012 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Titian Ramsay Peale's Insect Specimen Collection Kit
From left to right: pencil JEFF-8397, pencil JEFF-8390, net JEFF 7998, dissecting needle JEFF-8392, glass vial JEFF-8391, tweezers JEFF-8399, box JEFF-7997, paper specimen containers JEFF-8394, card with Titian Peale's name JEFF-8389, net JEFF-8400
by Jennifer Clark, Archivist
January's artifact of the month is Titian Ramsay Peale's insect specimen collection kit. This kit was a vital tool of one of America's early
Posted: December 01, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
The Emigrant's Guide
JEFF-5423
by Kathleen Moenster, Assistant Curator
Manifest Destiny was the catch phrase of the day, and the push to obtain Federal lands, coupled with Government encouragement to settle the West created a climate that spurred the great migration of Americans across the continent in the 1840's, 1850's and 1860's. In September of 1848, reports of the discovery of gold in California reached the East coast and gold seekers rushed to
Posted: November 01, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Prussian Vases, around 1860
JEFF-2016 and JEFF-2017
by Jennifer Clark, Archivist
The artifact of the month for November is a pair of extremely large and elaborate vases that were presented to St. Louis lawyer Charles Gibson as a gift from the Prince Regent of Prussia Wilhelm I (later to be King of Prussia and the first Emperor of Germany). The gift was in recognition of Gibson's work representing the previous King of Prussia, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, in a legal case that took
Posted: September 30, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Old Courthouse Deed
JEFF-890
by Kathleen Moenster, Assistant Curator
The Old Courthouse stands on land donated to St. Louis County (now St. Louis City) in 1816 by Auguste Chouteau and Judge John B. C. Lucas. Despite their political differences, both men believed that a centrally located courthouse was important.
The deed was written on parchment in black ink and signed by Thomas Sappington, William Carr Lane, Pierre Chouteau, Auguste Chouteau, Cerre Chouteau and
Posted: September 01, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Oath of Loyalty Book, 1868-1871
JEFF-894
by Jennifer Clark, Archivist
The artifact of the month for September is a fascinating reminder of the hostility and resentment that remained in the state after the end of the Civil War. This Oath of Loyalty book consists of pages containing the text of the "test oath" and the signatures of men holding (or seeking) public office in the city.
Signing this oath was required by the State of Missouri in order to hold "any office of honor, trust, or profit under its authority; or of being an
Posted: August 01, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
Nineteenth Century Cameras
JEFF-10378 and JEFF-10379
by Kathleen Moenster, Assistant Curator
The golden age of beautiful cameras hand-crafted of fine polished woods, brass and leather lasted from the birth of photography in 1839 to the early part of the 20th century. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is fortunate to have two fine examples of nineteenth century glass plate cameras in our museum collection. These cameras are currently on exhibit in the Gateway Arch visitor center.
The smaller of the two cameras, made by the Century E.K. Company, has a wooden tripod stand with a metal crank that raises and lowers the camera. The camera box bellows is made of metal and wood. The larger camera, made by Victory
Posted: August 01, 2011 | posted by: Jennifer Clark!
by Jennifer Clark, Archivist
Welcome to Jefferson National Expansion Memorial's Artifact of the Month page! Here we will feature artifacts from our collection, some on display, some that are in storage. Our collection is large and varied and includes items relating to: westward expansion, St. Louis history, Lewis and Clark, the creation of the park and the construction of the Gateway Arch.
Though there is a link to make comments at the end of posts, the current NPS webcontent delivery system does not work with this commenting feature at the moment. If you'd like to get in touch with the cultural resources staff with any questions about artifacts on this page, or other artifacts from the collection you can contact us via
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