Location: Center of Clayton , 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105

Inherent in CCF-History's mission is our commitment to enhance the understanding of Clayton's past by making it accessible to everyone in the Clayton community, and greater St. Louis area. The Clayton History Center, located in the Center of Clayton, houses our collection. Items may be viewed by appointment with the assistance of our Archivist. The collection is available for research opportunities, or anyone with interest in Clayton's history.

CCF History collects a wide range of items that help preserve Clayton’s past and educate future generations. Items include objects, photographs, ephemera, artwork, among others. Items from the collection often displayed with special exhibitions and special requests are accepted for research and study. If you have an item you wish to donate, CCF History accepts inquiries for review.

The Clayton’s Neighborhoods Video Episodes is a historic look at multiple neighborhoods designed by nationally known architects in the early 1900s. The CCF History teamed with Cordell Whitlock, award-winning former KSDK television reporter, and Peter Foggy, videographer, to prepare the script and produce the videos of eight neighborhoods within the City of Clayton community over the past few months. Also starring in Clayton’s Neighborhoods is Esley Hamilton, who served for nearly 40 years as the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Preservation Historian. Hamilton has been called “irreplaceable” and “encyclopedic,” and received one of four nationwide preservation awards from the Secretary of the Interior. Watch previous episodes on CCF's YouTube Channel.

The Century Home Plaques are designed to promote pride in and preserve the City of Clayton's heritage and unique aesthetic attributes while reinforcing the positive elements of life in an historical suburban community. Those wishing to participate in the program can submit an application and fee for a plaque to install on your historic structure.

The Clayton History Center is also home to annual exhibitions, organized and executed by the CCF History Committee. Displayed in the cases outside the History Center, the exhibits focus on a range of topics specific to Clayton and feature items from the collection. Other special exhibitions can found at other public buildings throughout the city.

Humans of Clayton seeks to document your COVID experience. Often known as "social history," the project stems from a field of history that looks at the lived experience of the past. CCF History will archive the responses for future generations.

The publication reveals the making of the city and the people who built it as a community.. This is Clayton’s story, told through historical anecdotes, resident voices, timelines, key facts, and stunning photographs. Written by journalist Mary Delach Leonard and public historian Melinda Leonard.

Download the OtoCast app on Android or Apple devices for an audio walking tour of Clayton's unique art, historical places, and parks.

The Historic site marker program is to increase residents’ sense of pride of place; to enhance cultural tourism throughout the City; to educate the public about Clayton's rich and diverse history; and to encourage the public to preserve historic resources. The program is also intended to be inclusive of all eras and diverse cultural aspects of Clayton’s history, as well be geographically representative of the entire City. Additionally, the interpretive content is informed by experts in the field following best practices, as well as CCF History, city staff, city committees, and Mayor’s Commemorative Landscape Task Force.

You are invited to read and enjoy this growing collection of personal memoirs, interviews, and biographies of ordinary and extraordinary Claytonians from the past and present. Click here to visit the Clayton Memories website for more info and to share a memory for future generations.

Martin Franklin Hanley built the Historic Hanley House in 1855. The farmstead is the oldest structure in the City of Clayton and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The restored home is today an historic house museum filled with original family furnishings, artifacts, and letters that together represent an honest portrayal of 19th century Missouri life. Stay tuned for tours, events, and updates on preservation efforts of the historic site located in Hanley Park near Downtown Clayton.

CCF History hosts a variety of educational lectures and programs that explore the complex and inspiring past of Clayton. Past events have included The Forgotten Neighborhood, featuring a discussion with former Clayton High School history teacher and historian, Donna Rogers-Beard and Rev. Dr. Doris Graham, who grew up in the neighborhood and attended the Crispus Attucks School.