The missouri historical society will improve the documentation and accessibility of artifacts from the 1904 world's fair and summer olympics, both of which were hosted in ST

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Missouri Historical Society $925,100 on September 1, 2026, through the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to improve documentation and accessibility of artifacts from the 1904 World's Fair and Summer Olympics hosted in St. Louis.

The Museum's conservator will survey the collection of nearly 4,000 objects—including architectural elements from World's Fair buildings, souvenirs, internationally made goods, and medals from the first Olympic Games held in the United States—and prepare condition reports, treatment proposals, and storage recommendations. The Society will hire two full-time collections specialists to research, catalog, and rehouse the entire collection, and contract a photographer to provide photographic and digitization services. Upon completion, the 1904 collection will be accessible to the public online, and the institution will possess a documented understanding of collection condition for the first time in over a century.

Performance occurs at the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis, Missouri, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029.

Louis. The collection features architectural elements from the world's fair buildings, souvenirs, internationally made goods, and medals from the first olympic games held in the united states. The museum's conservator will survey the objects and write condition reports and treatment proposals and make recommendations for proper storage. The museum will hire two full-time collections specialists to assist staff in researching, cataloging, and rehousing the entire collection of nearly 4,000 artifacts, and a contract photographer will provide photographic and digitization services. The 1904 collection will be accessible to the public online, and the museum will have a clear understanding of its condition needs for the first time in over a century.