KANSAS CITY - Josephine Baker was a global superstar, born in St. Louis' Mill Creek neighborhood. And now the Missouri Historical Society is the steward of an extraordinary private collection of Baker memorabilia, thanks to longtime St. Louis philanthropist Mary Strauss.
MHS President Dr. Jody Sowell says some refer to Baker and the Beyonce of her day, but Baker's fame went beyond singing, dancing and acting. She was a civil rights activist and a decorated hero of the French Resistance during World War II. She was a millionaire, a pilot and business woman.
Hear an interview with Dr. Sowell and Debbie Monterrey, plus a special report on Baker's induction into the Pantheon in Paris:
“Josephine Baker was an extraordinary artist and human being,” Strauss said. “It’s been one of my life’s great joys to amass and care for this collection. I feel so fortunate to have items that capture her at her zenith – programs, posters, photographs, a costume, and Bakerfix items to name but a few – each one reflecting a different side of her brilliance. I’m thrilled that they’ll one day belong to the people of St. Louis.”
The collection includes rare artifacts such as a 1970s-era performance costume complete with boots, an original plywood theater cutout from Baker’s 1935 film Zouzou, a French poster featuring Baker’s signature “banana dance” imagery, original photographs and other historical ephemera assembled over decades.