The Missouri Museums Association was founded in 1971 as the Missouri Museum Associates.  The name changed to the Missouri Museums Association in the 1990s.  It offered networking, workshop, conferences and other resources through 2001.  The Association ceased to function for a number of years. In 2008, a movement began to reinstate and reconstitute the association because the needs that existed in 1971 are even greater today.  The Association was reconstituted and regained its not-for-profit status in 2008. In 2010, the organization changed its name to the Missouri Association for Museums and Archives to more accurately reflect its mission. 

Bylaws