About This BlogThe Artifact of the Month column will feature artifacts from the park's collection, some on display, some that are in storage. Artifact of the Month is intended to give you a sneak peek behind the scenes into the history of these fascinating items. The St. Louis Recorded Archives Transcription Project
September 18, 2020
In 1938, the National Park Service and the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds Office sponsored Works Progress Administration projects to translate and transcribe portions of the colonial archives of St. Louis. The transcriptions were indexed by proper name and by subject matter. A staff of researchers transcribed 2503 legal instruments over the course of 17,810 hours. The staff transcribed the documents onto the 5x8 index cards which compromise this collection. Food Preparation Tools
October 11, 2019
Cooking dominated the time and energy of the average woman in America during the early 1800s. As the century progressed, so did the technology in food preparation. This month’s featured artifacts are three devices used in the mid to late nineteenth century to alleviate physically arduous and tedious food preparation tasks. The artifacts are a meat grinder, an apple peeler and a cherry pitter, all of which are made of iron. Arch Iconography
July 18, 2019
Standing 630 feet above the Mississippi River is St. Louis’s most iconic landmark: the Gateway Arch. In contemporary culture, the Gateway Arch is iconographic and is distinctively the symbol of St. Louis. Gateway Arch National Park’s museum collections house a variety of Arch themed objects that may not appear to be historic. Collectively, however, these items represent the importance of the Arch as its image appears on many types of objects used in everyday life. Cast Iron Tools
April 01, 2019
The tools and equipment used in everyday life in nineteenth and early twentieth century America were varied and numerous. Rural and small town life presented many challenges. The park has a sampling of different types of tools used for different purposes- iron shears used for making clothes, an iron candlestick and an iron bullet mold. These are typical items used by people living in rural areas after they moved West. Political Campaign Buttons
February 08, 2019
Campaign buttons can help solidify an iconic image that represents a historic election. The 1896 presidential race between Republican William McKinley and Democrat William Jennings Bryan was one of the most exciting presidential campaigns in American history. The Gateway Arch National Park is lucky to have four examples of campaign buttons from that election in its collections. Report of the Jury of Award from the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Architectural Competition, First Round
October 09, 2018
Report of the Jury of Award for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial architectural competition, First Round Victorian Mourning Brooch
September 28, 2018
Victorian society dictated strict rules for the observance of rituals related to death and dying from which evolved a mourning fashion, particularly aimed at women, that included social etiquette, clothing, and jewelry. Featured as this month’s artifact from the park’s collections is a brass and enamel mourning brooch for a child that came from a prominent St. Louis family. The Architectural Competition Booklet
September 28, 2018
The Architectural Competition Booklet for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Competition Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
July 06, 2018
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper was an American illustrated literary and news magazine founded in 1855 and published until 1922. It gave a vivid picture of typical American life during the decades of its publication. The Gateway Arch National Park has in its collections many samples of Leslie’s magazine, which feature illustrations from wood engravings. Antique Silver Vanity Cases
April 25, 2018
After World War I and into the 1920s, women found new social freedoms as some public behavior became more relaxed. Women now smoked and used personal accessories to primp in polite society. Like most jewelry and other adornments, they were intended to flaunt the wealth and privilege of their upper class owner. The three examples from the collections discussed below are all sterling silver cases with interesting motifs. Zither
January 25, 2018
The zither became a popular folk music instrument in Bavaria and Austria in the early nineteenth century and later in the United States. Our museum collection has an interesting zither from the 1880s. Holy Bible and Concordance
September 27, 2017
The feature artifact of the month from our collections is a beautifully bound Holy Bible and Concordance published in 1878 by Henry S. Cook of Baltimore. Application for U.S. Citizenship, 1850
September 26, 2017
An 1850 Application for citizenship filed in the Old Courthouse Woven Coverlet
July 12, 2017
A woven coverlet is a type of bed covering with a woven design in wool colored yarn on a background of natural linen or cotton. Coverlets were woven in almost every community in the United States from the colonial era until the late nineteenth-century. From the museum collections, this month’s artifact is an eighteenth century design woven cotton navy blue and white coverlet with a Star and Nine Diamond quilt pattern. Nineteenth Century Wool Paisley Shawl
April 04, 2017
A wool paisley shawl is our featured Artifact of the Month. The shawl is from the nineteenth century and has a forest green background with a floral design featuring a mustard or gold color and white flowers. The ends of the garment are finished with fringe. Nineteenth Century Women's Clothing
January 06, 2017
Fashion has always been a powerful component of American society and women’s clothing has demonstrated a wide variety of style. New style fashions generally took shape quite steadily, reaching an extreme form and then reverting more rapidly, giving way to a new emphasis, and the beginning of another fashion from century to century. Womens fashions from the Edwardian era (1901-1912) are reflected in two examples of women’s daywear shirtwaists from our clothing collections Lithograph of Mohongo, an Osage Woman
September 22, 2016
This lithograph from the collection is of an Osage woman named Mohongo, or Sacred Sun, from a portrait by Charles Bird King. The image was part of a set of books called, “History of the Indian Tribes of North America” by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, 1836-1844. Household Goods
September 21, 2016
Dramatic expansion in population, wealth, income and territory were matched by an unprecedented increase in consumer goods in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It was mostly the woman’s role to be in charge of the domestic sphere of the family. Studying the use of household goods has been an important source of investigating the domestic life of the past. Three of these objects are discussed here- a copper bed warmer; walnut pepper mill; and a cast iron sad iron. Robert E. Lee's Map of the Harbor of St. Louis
September 21, 2016
This document brings together a fascinating combination of people who lived and worked in St. Louis at the same time: two famous Civil war generals from opposing sides, the father of modern gastric study, and one of the best known explorers in American history. Two Nineteenth Century Kerosene Lamps
July 14, 2016
Oil/kerosene lamps were often used as much for ornamentation in a room as for a source of light. They reached their peak in artistry in the second half of the nineteenth century, which became the golden age of American oil lamps. Coffee Mill and Spice Caddy
May 10, 2016
No matter what era in history, people have always needed food processing items to prepare life-sustaining foods for themselves and their families. Our museum collection has two examples from two different periods of those types of items. One example is a cast iron and wooden coffee grinder (JEFF 5239) dating to the 1880’s-1890’s. The other is a tin spice caddy (JEFF 8097) dating to the 1850’s Two Pairs of Late 19th Century Spectacles
December 01, 2015
Whether used for scholarly, fashion or corrective reasons, eyeglasses were indeed one of the world’s most important inventions. One of St. Louis’s many successful industries in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was eyeglass production. This month we highlight from our collection interesting examples of spectacles made by two different St. Louis companies-Erkers Eyecare and Abel&MacDonald. Graniteware Coffee Boilers
September 30, 2015
Graniteware is a type of metal used mostly in the construction of kitchen items such as pots, coffeemakers, and dinnerware. An inexpensive and durable metal, it was first made possible in the 1800’s. It is also known as enamelware. The park has two excellent examples (JEFF 681 and JEFF 789) of mottled and speckled blue and white large-capacity, chuck-wagon sized coffee boilers made of enamel coated tin that are believed to date back 115 to 140 years. 1904 World’s Fair Souvenirs
August 10, 2015
In 1904, St. Louis welcomed the world to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition with great enthusiasm. Everyone who came wanted the experience of a lifetime. They sought souvenirs in quantity to remember their visit to the Fair. Those souvenirs still represent the success and excitement of the World’s Fair in St. Louis. The park’s collections contain several fascinating examples of these mementos. Beaded Purses
April 29, 2015
Beaded purses are works of art, statements of personal taste, and status symbols. They combine the look and feel of a jeweled surface with the flexibility of fabric. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial has two beautiful examples of beaded purses from the Victorian era in its collections. Whether hand-crafted or commercially produced, beaded purses have been in vogue in North America for well over two hundred years, and in Europe for much longer. Samantha Packwood Saddle
January 23, 2015
This beautifully preserved saddle from our collections is of great interest because it was used by a young lady riding a mule headed west in a wagon train along the Oregon Trail in 1844. William Packwood and his family were from Springfield, Illinois, and had to join two different wagon trains to reach their final destination. Their journey took them through St. Louis along the Oregon Trail to what is now Olympia, Washington. Mrs. Packwood’s side of the family was related to Meriwether Lewis. His grand journey west with William Clark, encouraged the family to seek a better way of life in what was then called Oregon. This sidesaddle, used by their daughter, nine year old Samantha Packwood, remained in the family’s possession until the 1980’s, when Samantha’s great-great-grandson donated it to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Ladies' Hand Fans
August 20, 2014
The origin of hand fans can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt. The folding fan originated in Japan in 637 and were first used in China, Japan and India. Italy imported folding fans from the East through Venice, a major trading center for the Orient. Their popularity spread through Europe. The vogue of ladies’ fans continued into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and spread to America. By 1865, the fan was an indispensable fashion accessory for the emerging middle class, reaching the peak of its success in the Victorian era. We are fortunate to have an array of ladies’ fans from the early twentieth century in the collection that show the variety of materials and designs of this very important accessory. General Electric Radio
June 02, 2014
Of all the new products put on the market during the 1920’s, very few had the impact on society than the radio. It is a symbol of the radical advances in technology which created fundamental changes in everyday life. A fine example of this “technology” in the park’s collection is JEFF 7938, a 1930 General Electric Radio J-125 Console Model. Player Piano
May 08, 2014
The rise of the player piano grew with the rise of mass-produced pianos for the home in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A beautiful piece from the JNEM collections is JEFF 8211, a mahogany player piano, c 1903/1905 (with roller) made by the Palmer Piano Company. 1870s Sewing Machine
May 08, 2014
Through most of human history, women spent thousands of hours not only making clothing for their families, but repairing clothing. Because of the time involved in producing clothing many people dreamed of inventing a machine to do the work sewing pieces of cloth together. During the early 1800’s, many sewing devices were invented with moderate to poor success. By the mid to late 1800’s, sewing devices were vastly improved and what we now know as the sewing machine came into existence. Our exhibits in the Old Courthouse include an early model of one of these machines, Our sewing machine (JEFF 6089) was manufactured in the by the Wilcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company 1870s Sewing Machine
May 08, 2014
Through most of human history, women spent thousands of hours not only making clothing for their families, but repairing clothing. Because of the time involved in producing clothing many people dreamed of inventing a machine to do the work sewing pieces of cloth together. During the early 1800’s, many sewing devices were invented with moderate to poor success. By the mid to late 1800’s, sewing devices were vastly improved and what we now know as the sewing machine came into existence. Our exhibits in the Old Courthouse include an early model of one of these machines, Our sewing machine (JEFF 6089) was manufactured in the by the Wilcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company Pearl-Cast Iron Parlor Stove
December 03, 2013
Among the early industries in St. Louis, the manufacture of stoves emerged as one of the largest and most successful. The ever growing market for stoves in the West coupled with the abundance of iron from the area, made stove manufacturers quite wealthy. In the slightly more than 100 years that it existed, St. Louis led much of the country in stove manufacturing. A fine example of a cast iron stove in our collection is JEFF 4750-an 1869 cast iron parlor stove, Bridge, each and Company, Model #7-The Pearl. Pearl-Cast Iron Parlor Stove
December 03, 2013
Among the early industries in St. Louis, the manufacture of stoves emerged as one of the largest and most successful. The ever growing market for stoves in the West coupled with the abundance of iron from the area, made stove manufacturers quite wealthy. In the slightly more than 100 years that it existed, St. Louis led much of the country in stove manufacturing. A fine example of a cast iron stove in our collection is JEFF 4750-an 1869 cast iron parlor stove, Bridge, each and Company, Model #7-The Pearl. Late 19th Century "Log Cabin" Style Quilt
October 29, 2013
Quilts have been a part of history as long as have beds themselves. In Europe, they comforted kings and queens. In America, however, quilts came to be used in vastly different circumstances. Here, pioneers in need of warm bed covers and with little cloth to spare, out of necessity, sewed together scrap after scrap of material to achieve bed-size patchwork panels. One of the many sources of inspiration for quilt patterns was pioneer living itself which contributed to the development of the “Log Cabin” pattern. The Artifact of the Month is an example of a 19th century “Log Cabin” style quilt from the collections. In making these quilted bed covers, women also achieved a level of beauty and creative expression not otherwise found in many frontier homes. The Settlement of Saint Louis or The Founding of Saint Louis by Fernand LeQuesne
September 09, 2013
This large scale painting known as both “The Settlement of Saint Louis” and “The Founding of Saint Louis” depicts the founding of the city of St. Louis by Pierre Laclede in 1764. An Official Daily Program from the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition for Saturday, October 8th
July 19, 2013
The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition was a showcase of man’s progress. It was intended to commemorate a proud past but also point the way to a bright future. In order to assist the many visitors that attended the Fair, daily programs were issued serving as guide books that described the day’s events and provided a map of the Fair. JEFF 2333 is one of those colorful programs from October 8th, 1904. Jukebox
April 30, 2013
The impact of the jukebox on American culture was profound. People now had the freedom to listen to what they wanted to, almost anywhere they wanted. On exhibit in the St. Louis gallery of the Old Courthouse is JEFF 8277, a Seeburg Rex 1937 model art deco style jukebox that holds 20 records. The development of the jukebox is an interesting story. Jukebox
April 30, 2013
The impact of the jukebox on American culture was profound. People now had the freedom to listen to what they wanted to, almost anywhere they wanted. On exhibit in the St. Louis gallery of the Old Courthouse is JEFF 8277, a Seeburg Rex 1937 model art deco style jukebox that holds 20 records. The development of the jukebox is an interesting story. Pen and Ink Drawing of a Keelboat
February 28, 2013
Paul Rockwood was an American graphic artist, printmaker and lithographer who made many drawings of keelboats, flatboats and other views of early transportation on the western rivers. Keelboats were common rivercraft at the beginning of the 19th century. The history of early transportation on the Mississippi River would be incomplete without a discussion of the important role of the keelboat. Artifact JEFF 1407 is a well-executed pen and ink drawing by Paul Rockwood which depicts the arduous t Who Am I? Children's Book by Lily Swann Saarinen. Artifact of the Month for January 2013
January 01, 2013
A charming children's book by Lily Swann Saarinen, wife of Eero Saarinen and member of the team that won the architectural competition in 1948. Karl Bodmer Aquatint “The Steamer Yellowstone/On The/ 9th April 1833” Artifact of the Month for December 2012
December 06, 2012
Swiss artist Karl Bodmer was one of the greatest painters of the American West. His aquatint engraving "Steamer Yellow-Stone/On The/19th April 1833" is the artifact of the month. His works are remarkable for their careful detail and sensitivity and are recognized as some of the most perceptive and visually compelling visions of America and its peoples. The Gateway Arch Ephemera Collection, Artifact of the Month for November 2012
November 20, 2012
The Gateway Arch Ephemera Collection is meant to document the development of the image of the Arch to become the primary icon of St. Louis. Since 1948, the image of the Gateway Arch has been used in a wide variety of ways and represented on all types of materials. The collection comprises items on which the Gateway Arch design has been used artistically and commercially to promote ideas, products and events associated with St. Louis. "St. Louis" Model Automobile made by George Dorris, Sr. Artifact of the Month for October 2012
October 05, 2012
One of the most popular artifacts on exhibit at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is the 1904 “St. Louis” model of the Dorris automobile manufactured by the Saint Louis Motor Carriage Company. Old Courthouse Square Survey, Artifact of the Month for September 2012
October 05, 2012
This month’s artifact of the month is a survey of the land for the Old Courthouse dated 1826. Campaign Buttons, Artifact of the Month for August 2012
September 19, 2012
Since America is now in the throes of the 2012 Presidential campaign and election, it seems like an appropriate time to discuss examples of campaign buttons from the Jefferson National Expansion collection. Fur Trade Illustration Project Papers, Artifact of the Month for July 2012
September 18, 2012
This month’s artifact of the month is one of the park’s wonderful archival collections - The Fur Trade Illustration Project. This fascinating collection consists of two hundred and fifty pen and ink drawings by National Park Service artists William Macy and James Mulcahy. Jefferson Peace Medal, Artifact of the Month for June 2012
September 17, 2012
This large, silver Thomas Jefferson peace medal was donated to Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in 1964. It is a fascinating piece of the past. These precious medals were given as tokens by explorers to important leaders and chiefs of Native American tribes as a symbol of peace and friendship between the two groups. Read about its interesting history. Terra Cotta Owl Architectural Ornaments, Artifact of the Month for May 2012
August 28, 2012
A pair of 128 lb terra cotta owl ornaments recovered from 121 South Second Street on the Arch grounds by park employee, John Bryan and saved for their architectural interest. Thomas Moran Watercolor, Artifact of the Month for April 2012
April 01, 2012
Thomas Moran Watercolor Indian Wars Widows Project Records, Artifact of the Month for March 2012
March 01, 2012
The collection comprises the records of park historian Don Rickey. In the 1960s, Rickey was planning exhibits for the Museum of Westward Expansion and was searching for information, letters, photos and artifacts from men who were soldiers in the United States Army in the West. Rickey undertook a project in 1962 to contact all the surviving un-remarried widows of Indian Wars Veterans who were still receiving pensions from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Meyer Brothers Drug Company Artifacts, Artifact of the Month for February 2012
February 01, 2012
Meyer Brothers Drug Company Artifacts Titian Ramsay Peale's Insect Specimen Collection Kit, Artifact of the Month for January 2012
January 01, 2012
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 naturalist explorers used in his efforts to document the native species of the American continent. The Emigrant's Guide, Artifact of the Month for December 2011
December 01, 2011
Emigrant's Guide to the West guidebook Prussian Vases, around 1860, Artifact of the Month for November 2011
November 01, 2011
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 place in St. Louis' Old Courthouse. Old Courthouse Deed, Artifact of the Month for October 2011
September 30, 2011
The deed to the land the Old Courthouse stands on. Oath of Loyalty Book, 1868-1871, Artifact of the Month for September 2011
September 01, 2011
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. Nineteenth Century Cameras, Artifact of the Month for August 2011
August 01, 2011
Nineteeth Century Cameras |
Last updated: April 10, 2015