Some artifacts are more than just objects—they’re little pieces of history with big stories. Over time, a surprising number have vanished from museums, archives, and collections, leaving gaps that make historians scratch their heads. And their disappearance is both baffling and endlessly intriguing. Here are some of the most notable missing artifacts in U.S. history.
Twin Sisters Cannons
Twin Sisters were two massive guns used during the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, which was a key moment in the Texas Revolution. The originals were lost long ago and have never been found. Today, replicas stand at the San Jacinto Monument, a Texas monument and museum, as a memory of independence and the soldiers’ bravery.
Apollo 11 Moon Rock Samples
Some Moon rock samples from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, the first U.S. spaceflight to land humans on the Moon, have disappeared from official collections. Many were given as diplomatic gifts to U.S. states and other countries. These rare, scientifically priceless rocks have sparked investigations and occasional recovery stories over the years.
The Revolutionary War Payroll Chest
During the Revolutionary War, a strongbox containing soldiers’ payroll disappeared. It was a significant sum, and it shows how hard it was to manage money and supplies in a young country. This strongbox has never been found, which makes it a long-standing mystery that continues to intrigue historians and treasure hunters alike.
Johannes Vermeer’s “The Concert”
Even decades later, “The Concert,” a 17th-century painting by Johannes Vermeer, inspires curiosity and persistence. Stolen in 1990 from a Museum, this $250 million masterpiece remains missing. Its story reminds us that beauty and history are worth chasing. Books, films, and investigations keep hope alive that one day, it may return.
1937 Oscar For Best Supporting Actress (Alice Brady)
Alice Brady, an acclaimed American actress of stage and screen, won the 1937 Best Supporting Actress award, but no one saw it again. Oscars from that era are rare, which makes this one especially valuable. No Hollywood collectors or historians have found it yet.
Degas’ “La Sortie De Pesage”
“La Sortie de Pesage” is a horse-racing painting by Edgar Degas, the French Impressionist painter known for capturing movement. His works are highly collectible. This particular painting was stolen during the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft in Boston, one of the largest art heists in history.
Rembrandt’s “Storm On The Sea Of Galilee”
Rembrandt’s 1633 painting, “Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” the only seascape he ever painted, was also stolen in the infamous 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. Worth more than $200 million, this theft highlights the challenges of protecting valuable artwork and keeps the search for lost treasures ongoing.
John F. Kennedy’s Brain
After the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy, was fatally shot, his brain went missing from the National Archives. Its disappearance has sparked decades of speculation and conspiracy theories. Being tied to a highly analyzed event in U.S. history, the missing brain continues to baffle historians.
The 1950 Liberty Bell Replica
The 1950 Liberty Bell replica was a gift from the U.S. Treasury and placed outside the Wilson Building, the main government office building in Washington, D.C. It was last recorded in 1979 during renovations and declared unaccounted for two years later. This case shows how quickly public artifacts can disappear without proper tracking.
The Cornerstone Of The White House
Installed in 1792, the White House cornerstone, a ceremonial stone marking the building’s foundation, has disappeared without a trace. Major renovations under President Truman in the 1940s didn’t turn it up, either. For anyone fascinated by history, it’s a perfect example of why tracking architectural artifacts matters.
