Western Historical Manuscripts Collection

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The University of Missouri created the Western Historical Manuscript Collection in 1943 with the mission to collect, preserve, and make available records that illuminate the history of Missouri and the broader region. In active cooperation with the State Historical Society of Missouri, a constantly growing collection of sources has been assembled to document all aspects of life in Missouri and the Midwest. In addition to the more traditional political, military, and diplomatic records, researchers will find information on religion, the arts, education, ethnic and social groupings and movements, all aspects of the economy, and on the lives of both famous and obscure individuals who in totality illustrate the experience and culture of the region.

With the expansion of the University into a four-campus system, and in keeping with the scholarly ideal of sharing all existing records with those who may be interested, the Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis campuses have joined in the cooperative effort with the State Historical Society of Missouri. In 2010, the State Historical Society of Missouri assumed sole management of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection and expanded access to the collection to Cape Girardeau and to Springfield to make the Western Historical Manuscript Collection a truly statewide resource readily available to faculties, students, visiting scholars, and citizens. In doing so, the Collection serves a major function of universities: the preservation and dissemination of knowledge of our past. All citizens interested in this goal are invited to join in furthering its advancement.