The Missouri History Museum has been named the future home of an expansive Josephine Baker collection—more than 450 artifacts amassed over four decades by St. Louis philanthropist Mary Strauss. The trove spans playbills, posters, photos, costume pieces, and even a jar of Baker’s hair product, “Bakerfix,” offering an unusually intimate lens on the global icon who was born in St. Louis’s Mill Creek Valley. St. Louis Magazine
Strauss, who began collecting in the 1980s, considered selling or dividing the materials among institutions before deciding they “belong in St. Louis,” both to honor Baker’s roots and to ensure long-term public access. The Missouri History Museum will steward and interpret the items within its broader collection—with plans to lend highlights to other institutions—so Baker’s story can be told locally and shared worldwide. St. Louis Magazine
Museum president Jody Sowell notes that Baker’s 2021 induction into France’s Panthéon helped fuel a continuing wave of interest. Still, he’s equally intent on foregrounding her St. Louis narrative—early performances, civil-rights advocacy, and a 1952 speech at Kiel Auditorium that challenged segregation. Expect the collection to deepen how the Museum connects Baker’s artistry and activism to the city’s complex history. St. Louis Magazine
“It still had Bakerfix in it. It smelled terrible!” — Mary Strauss, on one of her quirkier finds. St. Louis Magazine
“No, it belongs in St. Louis. Because she is from St. Louis.” — Mary Strauss, on choosing the Museum as the collection’s home. St. Louis Magazine
Why it matters
Baker’s life bridges St. Louis, Parisian modernism, the WWII Resistance, and the American civil-rights movement. Housing this collection in Forest Park gives scholars and visitors a world-class resource anchored in the city where her story began.
Plan your visit
Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112. General admission is free. Current hours: Tue–Wed & Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Mon closed. Check the Museum’s channels for updates on when Baker items will be on view. Forest Park Forever
Follow Missouri History Museum on Instagram and Facebook for updates: they often share short features and announcements related to Baker and other exhibits.
