The Western Historical Manuscript Collection, a joint collection of the University of Missouri and the State Historical Society of Missouri, supports the research needs of University faculty and students, Missouri residents, and the general public, by collecting, preserving, and making available to them various primary source materials documenting the history of the, the state, and the region. The St. Louis office of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection concentrates on collections documenting the history of St. Louis and the surrounding area.
Due to space considerations WHMC stores some collections off site. WHMC notes this information in its online inventories and advises researchers to check this and contact the office in advance of a research visit. It takes about two work days to retrieve off site records.
Each of the four University of Missouri campuses--Columbia, St. Louis, Rolla and Kansas City--houses a branch of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection. WHMC collections transfer between campuses via the inter-campus courier service. WHMC also loans microfilmed collections through interlibrary loan. WHMC materials may not be removed from the reading room, but the staff will make photocopies and copies of photographs. Please consult the fee schedule via the link below.
The Western Historical Manuscript Collection remains open and free to the public, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Tuesdays until 9:00 p.m., contingent on the library hours. WHMC resides in room 222 of the Thomas Jefferson Library.
Western Historical Manuscript Collection
222 Thomas Jefferson Library
University of Missouri-St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
Phone: (314) 516-5143
Fax: (314) 516-5853 (mark all documents "WHMC/Archives")
E-Mail: whmc@umsl.edu