In celebration of the Route 66 Centennial, the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO) presents Barter Boat—a traveling art project built on object exchange, storytelling, and community connection.

Before we dock downtown on May 1st, join artist and professor Desireé Moore at The Library Center, Annie Busch Auditorium, on April 13th for a community preview. Learn how the project works, hear stories from past trades, and find out how you can contribute to a new oral history archive. Whether you have a small trinket or a legendary Route 66 story, we want to hear from you!

Want to try it out? Bring an item to barter with us during the talk!

Desireé Moore is an Assistant Professor of Digital Storytelling and Film Production at the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Barter Boat is a collaborative project by Anna Elliott, Desireé Moore, and Robin Schwartzman. Sponsored by SHSMO in partnership with Missouri Humanities and the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund.