MHS Panoramic Views (360 Tours)

Want to explore the museum? Take a look at these 360 degree panoramic views of our galleries and exhibitions to experience our collections and learn more about us. View the statue of Jefferson at our South Entrance, our modern North Entrance, and our popular World's Fair and Lindbergh exhibits.Our permanent galleries, Seeking St. Louis: Currents 1764-1904, and Seeking St. Louis: Reflections 1904-2000, tell the story of a fascinating city representing more than 200 years of dreams, ideas and efforts.

North Entrance | South Entrance | World’s Fair | Lindbergh | Lindbergh | Currents—Home | Currents—Peril | Currents—Clark Council Room | Currents—Civil War | Currents—Labor | Reflections—Playground | Reflections—Landscapes | Reflections—Expressions | Reflections—Workers | Reflections—Citizens

North Entrance: Built in 1913 with the proceeds from the 1904 World’s Fair, the Jefferson Memorial Building (today known as the Missouri History Museum) was the first national memorial to Thomas Jefferson.  Built at what was the main entrance to the fairgrounds, the building commemorated Jefferson’s role in the Louisiana Purchase.  Decorative elements of the 39,000 square-foot Beaux Arts memorial include Karl Bitter’s statue of Jefferson, a nine foot portrait carved from a 40 ton piece of marble, which sits on top of a polished granite pedestal underneath a richly decorated terra cotta ceiling.  Other architectural features include six Tiffany pendant light fixtures, stone columns and decorative wall castings. View the panorama.

South Entrance: In 2000, an expanded Missouri History Museum, featuring the Emerson Center, opened to the public.  The Emerson Center is home to Seeking St. Louis, an exhibition examining the people, events and issues that have shaped this community in the past and which continue to impact the region’s future.  The Emerson Center also includes educational classrooms, an auditorium, museum shop, award-winning Meriwether’s restaurant, and special exhibition galleries. View the panorama.

World’s Fair: When the World’s Fair, known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, opened on April 30, 1904, visitors from all over the globe traveled to St. Louis.  Fair-goers were dazzled by the magnificent spectacle that transformed St. Louis into the center of the world. While at the Fair, attendees were enthralled by the promise of what the burgeoning 20th century would offer—elaborate displays trumpeted the latest advances in technology, fine arts, manufacturing, science, civics, foreign policy and education. The exhibition will boast over 250 artifacts and objects, as well as interactive “Pillars of Knowledge” to educate and entertain the whole family. Like original Fair-goers, museum visitors will view such objects as furniture from the Chinese, German, French and Irish pavilions; fine and decorative arts; and scientific and industrial technologies that were unveiled at the fair. Period clothing of Fair-goers, utilitarian garb of Fair workers and native dress of people who were part of the Fair’s “living displays” will represent various roles people played in the Fair’s success.  View the panorama.

Lindbergh: In May1927, lone pilot Charles A. Lindbergh flew his airplane, the “Spirit of St. Louis,” from New York’s Roosevelt Field to Le Bourget Field in Paris.  This historic first-ever, solo transatlantic flight changed the course of the 20th century.  Due in no small part to burgeoning radio, film and print technology, Lindbergh was hailed a global hero and quickly attained the world’s adoration. The exhibition also examines the dark side of Lindbergh’s fame and frankly addresses the controversies surrounding Lindbergh’s isolationist stance during WWII. View the panorama.

Lindbergh: After the glory of his transatlantic flight, Lindbergh served as an aviation ambassador.  Flying the “Spirit of St. Louis,” he embarked on a tour of the United States with stops in all of the then continental 48 states during the late summer and early autumn of 1927.  A 20 by 14-foot floor map of the route allows exhibition visitors to follow Lindbergh’s grueling schedule of 22,350 air miles, 75 cities, 69 banquets and 1,285 miles worth of parades.  Citizens in each state bestowed on him new honors and gifts.  Many of these items will be in the exhibition, such as a beautiful turquoise and silver thunderbird pendant from New Mexico, gold-plated membership cards from numerous organizations, a leather case of fishing lures from Montana and a silver “loving cup” from the Motion Picture Fraternity bearing engraved signatures from Hollywood celebrities of the day. View the panorama.

Currents—Home:  For the earliest residents of St. Louis, “home” meant many things: work site, shelter, gathering place.  This section features artifacts related to the homes of residents from the 1760s, 1770s, 1870s and 1890s, including the city’s founding family, the Chouteaus. View the panorama.

Currents—Peril: St. Louis endured its share of danger and catastrophe, including the Great Fire of 1849 and the tornado of 1896. Artifacts explore the horror and heroism of these tragedies. View the panorama.

Currents—Clark Council Room: Visitors will see artifacts related to transatlantic explorer William Clark’s tenure (1808-1838) as a federal Indian agent in St. Louis.  Clark’s presence in St. Louis made the city a key site in the United States government’s acquisition of Native American lands in the West. View the panorama.

Currents—Civil War: During the Civil War, Missouri was engulfed in the same discord that was tearing the rest of the country apart. Though a slave state, Missouri was bitterly divided internally between those with pro-slavery sentiments and those against slavery who believed in preserving the Union. Soon, Missouri became a battleground for Federal soldiers and its own state troops. View the panorama.

Currents—Labor: In the past, St. Louis was described as being "First in Booze, First in Shoes, and Last In The American League.”  This section explores St. Louis’ main industries, as well as the General Strike of 1877 when hundreds of workers protested for better pay and shorter working days. View the panorama.

Reflections—Playground:  St. Louis is home to many public parks, including historic Forest Park. These urban green spaces have served as the communal “back yards” for generations of people from across the region. View the panorama.   

Reflections—Landscapes:  Nearly 2 million people reside in the St. Louis region.  The actions of these men and women leave a lasting impact on the area. This sections addresses issues such as the public housing, suburban sprawl and urban renewal. View the panorama.

Reflections—Expressions:  Many of America’s most talented musicians, playwrights and artists have called St. Louis home. Scott Joplin, Josephine Baker, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Tennessee Williams, Katherine Dunham and T. S. Eliot are among the talented men and women who made their mark on the cultural landscape. View the panorama.

Reflections—Workers: Whether they are among thousands toiling in a factory or a lone entrepreneur launching an enterprise, most St. Louisans depend upon jobs to survive.  This section puts a face on individual workers who have built St. Louis—including those who erected our most famous landmark, the Gateway Arch. View the panorama.

Reflections—Citizens:  The 20th century saw the rise of pride and protest among Americans who refused to endure discrimination and marginalization.  African Americans, women, people with disabilities and gays and lesbians are among the newly empowered groups demanding equality in St. Louis. View the panorama.