The Richardson Memorial Library and Museum Archives retain resources that document the Museum’s history, enrich its identity, and inform its collections and programs. Notable holdings chronicle the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the Museum’s art collections and exhibitions. Auction catalogs constitute nearly a full third of the Library’s holdings, numbering over 45,000.
Richardson Memorial Library
Library holdings mirror the Museum’s encyclopedic art collection. The Richardson Memorial Library preserves and provides access to an expansive collection of books, journals, and auction catalogs, as well as a number of important research databases. The latter include Ancestry Library Edition, Anthropology Plus, JSTOR, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Contact the Library
The Library is open to the public Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 am–4:30 pm.
Library staff also respond to reference inquiries received by telephone and email.
Location: Level 3, South Building
314.655.5252 | librarystaff@slam.org
Museum Archives
Purpose
The Archives preserve and provide access to institutional records documenting the Saint Louis Art Museum’s campus, its events, exhibitions, and activities. Holdings chronicle museum history from the founding of the Saint Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, through its development as the City Art Museum, to its current activities as the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Access
Archival materials are open to both staff and public researchers by appointment only Tuesday-Friday, 10 am–4:30 pm. One week’s notice is recommended for appointments. Contact the Archivist with research inquiries or to schedule an appointment.
Contact
Email: jenna.stout@slam.org
Phone: 314.655.5452
Location: Level 3, South Building
Explore the Archives
Guides to Archives
For an overview of archival holdings and museum history resources, see the Museum Archives research guide.
Finding Aids
To explore institutional records and collections of the Museum Archives, consult our Finding Aids.
Appraisals
The Museum does not appraise works of art. To find a qualified appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, 800.272.8258, www.appraisers.org; the Appraisers Association of America, 212.889.5404, www.appraisersassoc.org; or the International Society of Appraisers, 312.981.6778, www.isa-appraisers.org.
Fine Art Conservation
To find a conservator, consult the American Institute of Conservation’s Guide to Hiring a Conservation Professional.
The nearest regional conservation facility to greater St. Louis is the Ford Conservation Center.