resources/photographs/header_shadow.jpg

Photographs and Images at the Missouri State Archives

The Missouri State Archives is home to approximately 829,500 images and photographs. The formats include, but are not limited to, glass plates, tintypes, lantern slides, prints, negatives, transparencies, 35mm slides and several digital formats. The bulk of the collection covers the late 19th through mid-20th centuries, although the earliest image dates from 1855 and the latest through the present day. Subjects include people, events, places, nature, state government facilities and more.

The collection is organized by the originating agency. Many images are digitized and available on our websites. Click on a Record Group (RG) collection below to learn more.

 

State Agency Collections 

Collection

Approximate # of Images

RG003 Office of the Governor

13,000

RG005 Office of Secretary of State

30,000

RG102 Department of Agriculture

6,500

RG103 Department of Conservation

5,000

RG104 Department of Economic Development

220,000

RG107 Department of Transportation

226,200

RG110 Department of Natural Resources

58,500

RG112 Department of Revenue

22,000

RG114 Department of Corrections and

RG213 Missouri State Penitentiary

200,000

RG115 Department of Health and Senior Services

10,800

RG395 State Capitol Commission

550

RG550 General Assembly

3,800

RG600 Supreme Court and Office of State Courts Administrator

700

 

Federal and Local Collections

Collection

Approximate # of Images

RG650 Little River Drainage District

3,078

RG820 Kansas City Parks and Recreation

2,320

RG960 Civilian Conservation Corps

163

 

RG998 Manuscript Collection (˜ 50,000 images)

There are many images in Archives manuscript collections. Visit the manuscripts webpage to learn more.

 

 

For other agencies not listed above or related questions, contact Archives Reference at (573) 751-3280 or [email protected].

 

 

What is the difference between an image and a photograph?

 

An image is a graphical representation of the visual appearance of someone or something in any medium.

 

A photograph is a still picture created by reflected light projecting an image of someone or something onto a light-sensitive surface like a chemically treated plate, film or an electronic light receptor (digital photograph).

 

Definitions based on Pearce-Moses, Richard. A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology. 7 vols. Archival Fundamentals Series II. Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists, 2005 and related fine arts and humanities literature.