Poster for the Missouri Centennial in St. Louis

In 1920 and 1921, Missourians prepared to celebrate a big milestone: 100 years as a state. Ideas for commemorating the event included a themed state fair, a drama reenacting key moments from the push for statehood, newspaper articles about Missouri’s history and its founders, and a concert of songs by Missouri singers and musicians.This centennial poster shows covered wagons, which represent an earlier time in Missouri history, and an image of a triumphant King Louis IX of France—the city’s namesake—riding atop an airplane, which symbolizes leading Missourians into the future.

Object Title and Accession Number

Poster for the Missouri Centennial held in St. Louis, October 5–15, 1921. Watercolor on board by Edward J. Klein, 1921. N35212.

Illustrated poster for St. Louis Missouri Centennial.

Colorful poster for the St. Louis Missouri Centennial (1921) featuring a figure in armor riding an airplane. It marks the state's 100th anniversary with the event dates October 5 to 15, 1921, and includes a small depiction of a settlement scene.