In this segment of KSMU's Making Democracy Work series, Ilga Vise talks with Erin Smither, archivist at the Springfield Center of the State Historical Society of Missouri, about the center and what it offers.
The Springfield research center has been in operation since 2014, according to Smithers, and is located on the Missouri State University campus in Meyer Library. There are other research centers in Missouri--in Kansas City, St. Louis, Rolla and Cape Girardeau.
Anyone can make requests online for materials to be sent to the Springfield center.
The MO State Historical Society was founded in 1898 and is housed in Columbia. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and make available materials that enhance research and support learning opportunities for citizens of Missouri and the Midwest. It has a library of more than 400,000 volumes of reference books, 50,000 rolls of newspaper microfilm, 100,000 photographs and 2200 maps.
Funding from the State, plus donations of materials, and membership dues support the work of the State Historical Society.
“Missouri Historical Review” and “Missouri Times” are published throughout the year. To learn more, 836-3782 or smithere@umsystem.edu.
For more information about the Missouri State Historical Society, click here.