The Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station was established by the Missouri legislature in 1899 to serve the fruit production and processing industries of Missouri. In the course of their advisement and research, the Station directors and staff documented their work on glass photographic plates. The ensuing glass plate collection displays the unique heritage of Ozark pomology (fruit culture) and consists of a wide range of subjects, locations and practices from the first half of the twentieth century.

For this project 873 glass photographic plates, sized 4"x5" and 5"x7" were digitized. Most images date between 1897 and 1957, although many of the images are not dated. Images were taken at private orchards and vineyards, with the majority taken at the Station's orchards, vineyards and laboratories. Some capture orchard workers picking fruit and loading it onto mule-drawn wagons. There are images of fruit varieties and of fruits infected by disease. Others are of varieties that were bred at the Station. Images of insects, orchard equipment, and ornamentals are more examples of the many subjects featured in the collection. Geographically, the collection spans five states from Arkansas to California with the substantial majority taken in Missouri and at the Station in Mountain Grove.