Press Room

This page is for media sources who are interested in reporting on SHSMO. If you are a journalist with specific, topical research needs, please refer to this information about researching with SHSMO materials.

The State Historical Society of Missouri welcomes inquiries from members of the press about SHSMO events, collections and other news.

Contact Information

Media Contact

Beth Pike, Senior Strategic Communications Associate
Phone: (573) 884-7904
Email: pikebe@shsmo.org

General Contact Information

Email: contact@shsmo.org
Website: shsmo.org
Phone: (573) 882-7083
Address: 605 Elm Street, Columbia, MO 65201

Social Media

The State Historical Society regularly contributes newsworthy content on social media. Please view the social media contact page for links to the platforms where SHSMO is active. Follow the Society on these channels for the latest updates.

Press Releases

The State Historical Society distributes press releases to interested press members. If you would like to receive Society press releases as they are shared, please contact Beth Pike. Press releases will also be posted to this webpage, where they are available for up to 12 months.

Available press releases from the previous 12 months.

• March 3, 2020 – Missouri Women: Suffrage to Statecraft Opens March 14 at Center for Missouri Studies
• February 10, 2020 – Foundations Commit $2.5 Million to New Headquarters for State Historical Society’s Kansas City Research Center
• November 11, 2019 – Biographer of Jazz Musician Charlie Parker to Speak at Center for Missouri Studies
• November 5, 2019 – Former Joplin History Professor to Lead State Historical Society of Missouri
• October 22, 2019 – Former US Senator Claire McCaskill to Deliver Inaugural My Missouri Lecture at Center for Missouri Studies
• October 17, 2019 – Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation Commits $250,000 to the State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Kansas City
• October 9, 2019 – State Historical Society of Missouri hosts conversation about life in segregated Columbia for the African-American Experience in Missouri Lecture Series
• September 3, 2019 – State Historical Society of Missouri Launches 2019-20 African-American Experience in Missouri Lecture Series
• August 1, 2019 – Center for Missouri Studies Grand Opening set for the 198th anniversary of Missouri’s Statehood

About the Society

The State Historical Society of Missouri is a membership organization founded in May 1898 by the Missouri Press Association and established as a trustee of the state in 1899. SHSMO collects, preserves, and publishes materials that enhance research and support learning opportunities in the study of Missouri and the Midwest.

Society operations support six research centers across Missouri, in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, Saint Louis, and Springfield. The regional centers allow patrons to view collections and conduct research locally.

SHSMO Mission

The mission of the State Historical Society of Missouri is to collect, preserve, publish, exhibit, and make available material related to all aspects and periods of Missouri history. SHSMO also seeks to generate interest in and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the state and its people through education and outreach.

Collections

The Society actively collects materials related to Missouri history. The Society preserves paintings, political cartoons, fine art prints, photographs, newspapers, maps, and the written records of individuals, families, and organizations.

Since its founding by the Missouri Press Association, the State Historical Society continues to collect daily newspapers in the state. Its collection now includes more than 4,600 plus unique newspaper titles with 56 million news pages on microfilm. The rapidly growing Missouri Digital Newspaper Project provides free online public access to the state’s historic newspapers. Approximately 2.25 million pages between the years 1808 and 1995 are available online.

As of July 2019, collections include:

• 7,000+ oral histories – the state’s largest collection
• 4,600+ newspaper titles – 1808 to the present
• 383,850+ photographs capturing Midwestern lives and places
• 2,000 rare books – oldest published in 1580
• 10,000+ manuscript collections
• 12,000 Civil War manuscript pages online
• 30,000+ pieces of art
• 8,000+ maps dating back to early 1700s

Publications, Public Programs, and Scholarship

In addition to caring for collections and working to provide easier access to records, SHSMO offers programs, lectures, and workshops as well as tours for school and community groups and in-depth orientation for secondary and university students conducting research.

Key Programs

• Missouri Historical Review – award-winning scholarly quarterly published since 1906.
• National History Day in Missouri – about 2,500 Missouri students in grades 6-12 participate in local, regional and national competitions each year.
• Historic Missourians – more than 140 biographies on notable Missourians for young readers.
• African American Experience in Missouri Lecture Series – connects top scholars, historians and genealogists with the public to foster understanding of Missouri’s past and present African American history.
• Missouri Encyclopedia – an ever-expanding online resource for exploring the history and culture of Missouri.
• Our Missouri – a bi-weekly podcast exploring the state and its history, featuring notable experts and scholars.
• Missouri Conference on History – connects scholars and teachers to facilitate sharing the latest scholarship on Missouri history.
• Show Me Missouri Speakers Bureau – promotes public education for rural, urban, and suburban audiences throughout the state of Missouri.
• Awards, Grants, and Fellowships – recognize and promote outstanding scholarship on Missouri history.

Missouri 2021 Bicentennial

August 10, 2021, will mark the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s entry as the 24th state to enter the United States. SHSMO was designated by the Missouri General Assembly as the state's planning agent for the Missouri 2021 Bicentennial commemorating 200 years of statehood.

Visit the Missouri 2021 website to learn more.

Talking about the State Historical Society

Please keep in mind these helpful tips when writing about the State Historical Society of Missouri.

• Do use the full name of the organization: The State Historical Society of Missouri.
• Do use the accepted organization acronym: SHSMO.
• Do use one of the accepted organization short form names: The Society or State Historical Society.

• Don't use “Missouri Historical Society” – this is a different organization, located in St. Louis.
• Don't use “Missouri State Historical Society” or "The State of Missouri Historical Society" – there are no organizations with these names.
• Don't advertise programs, activities, or events as sponsored by the State Historical Society without receiving confirmation of sponsorship.

Logo Guidlines

Please follow these guidelines when using the SHSMO logo.

• Do follow the guidelines listed on this page.
• Do keep enough space around SHSMO logos so they appear clean and uncluttered.
• Do maintain shape and proportion of each SHSMO logo and reproduce assets at a legible size.
• Do request permission to use logos in any capacity other than media purposes.

• Don't use trademarks, names, domain names, logos, or other content that imitate or could be confused with the State Historical Society of Missouri.
• Don't use the trademarks, names, domain names, logos, or other content that imitate or could be confused with SHSMO to make promotional materials like stickers, buttons, or t-shirts .
• Don't use any combination of any part of The State Historical Society of Missouri brand with your name, marks, or generic terms.
• Don't modify SHSMO logos in any way, such as by changing the design color.