St. Louis Mercantile Library

A nonprofit organization

Established in 1846 by civic leaders and philanthropists, the Mercantile exists today as a vibrant community and cultural asset. It is the oldest library west of the Mississippi and the grandparent of St. Louis cultural institutions. The St. Louis Mercantile Library Association has, since its founding, collected, preserved, interpreted, and provided access to broad collections of Americana and cultural history, rare books, fine art, river and rail history, and historic regional business records and newspapers. Through its 176 years in existence, the Library has become a repository of our city's heritage in collections both deep and broad.

Our ongoing mission is to provide research opportunities to the broadest possible audience, from the casual drop-in visitor to student groups of all ages to the most advanced academic scholar. We accomplish this mission daily through special and permanent exhibitions, digital access, in-person archival consultations, print publications, and entertaining and educational programs - most of which are offered free of charge, as are our docent-led tours. The Library recently celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2021 with the exhibition "A Nation, A City and its First Library: Americana as a Way of Life at the St. Louis Mercantile Library for 175 Years," drawing from the entire breadth of the rare book, historic map, river, rail, and fine art collections. To view the St. Louis Mercantile Library's exhibition and programming schedule go to http://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/events-and-exhibitions/index.html.

Mission

The St. Louis Mercantile Library is a member-supported academic research center of history and cultural studies including the Barriger Railroad and Pott Inland Waterways Libraries and the Mercantile Library Art Museum.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

St. Louis Mercantile Library

Tax id (EIN)

43-0694564

Address

1 University Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63121

Phone

314-516-7240