WKB St. Louis Legacies

Photo by Janet Weed

With the wealth William Keeney Bixby accumulated throughout the years he was able to contribute much to the city he thrived in, St. Louis. The question is what exactly did he contribute? His most significant lasting contributions are seen in the Washington University in downtown St. Louis, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the Missouri History Museum. In Sally Bixby Defty’s book, Passionate Pursuits: William Keeney Bixby, she addresses these contributions, which I will further explain in the list below.

1. WKB first emerged as an important public figure when he was named to the head of the Fine Arts Commission for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Bixby was picked for this leadership role due to his already extensive knowledge of art from around the world. Bixby’s role as the head was to choose different art pieces to be displayed during the fair. This demonstrates the esteem that Bixby had gained throughout the years and the respect that others paid to him. Having such an educated worldview and cultural understanding others saw him as a highly influential individual who had a lot to offer to society.
2. As Washington University in St. Louis was becoming established, Bixby saw the university as a great investment. Going along with his interest and admiration for the fine arts, in 1921 WKB donated $250,000 [$3 million in 2010] that led to the construction of the W.K. Bixby Hall of Fine Arts on campus. By 1926 art students were able to use these new facilities. Although this was a great opportunity for the college, it also served as another mark and reminder of the importance of Bixby’s economic expenditures in St. Louis.
3. Not only did WKB contribute to the Hall of Fine Arts at Washington University, but also him and three other St. Louisians each gave $150,000 [$3.4 million in 2010] to endow four chairs at the medical school, which established the William K. Bixby Professorship in Surgery. I believe this donation shows that with Bixby’s financial resources he knew that he both could do good for the local school, as well as continue to establish a legacy that we clearly see now.
4. Bixby was a major donor to the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, both as the principal contributor to the Guild’s building on Union Boulevard in 1908 and in the funding for prizes. This guild eventually became the St. Louis Art Museum in 1971 when tax support for the museum was approved by residents of the St. Louis County. Once again, this shows Bixby’s passion for art and his desire to make it a prominent sector of the St. Louis culture and something that would come to attract individuals to the city in the future.
5. The Missouri Historical Society, founded in 1866, was relocated to a structure on the north side of Forest Park in 1912. That building, now known as the Missouri History Museum, was very important to WKB. He was a mainstay of the organization and served twice as president. He believed that this was the perfect place for the museum to be located, in the center of the St. Louis, allowing easy access to both residents and visitors.
6. The list of Bixby’s gifts to the Society in one month alone, March 1915, takes up 35 pages in the Society’s minutes. The museum now houses an archive center that includes all records of the World’s Fair and documentation of the history of St. Louis and the state, the Mississippi and Missouri valleys and the Louisiana Purchase. Once again, this shows how Bixby wanted to influence future generations by making sure they were able to learn about the history of St. Louis.

Bixby was gracious enough to contribute his knowledge and material wealth to the city of St. Louis. He made it possible for those who come to St. Louis, both those who are visiting and live there, to learn more about the rich history of this city and have access to copious resources.