Carl Steckelmann of Columbus, Indiana, worked as a rubber trader for the Thos. E. Tomlinson Trading Co., in Liverpool, England between 1885-1895. His business pursuits led him on a number of travels along the Congo River and its tributaries. As Steckelmann traveled by boat he traded and collected merchandise from the local peoples he met along the way. Steckelmann was learning about their rich histories, customs and lifestyles during a time when most Europeans and Americans knew very little about Africa and its people. The objects he acquired represented all aspects of the peoples' ways of life. Ivory carvings, masks, figures, models, farming tools, hunting and fishing implements, animal artifacts, musical instruments, baskets, cooking utensils, mats and weaving apparatus are just some of the objects he collected.

After his first expedition, Steckelmann returned to the United States. He traveled throughout the country displaying his African treasures and to raise money for a return trip to Africa. Besides exhibiting African objects, Steckelmann toured with live monkeys and an African boy and lectured about his travels.

Four years after opening its doors in 1886, the Cincinnati Art Museum purchased the more than 1300 objects that made up the Steckelmann Collection. The Cincinnati Art Museum became the first art museum in the United States to display African objects as works of art.

After entrusting his collection to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Steckelmann was able to fulfill his desire to return to Africa. However, while on his second expedition, Steckelmann died in a boating accident. His vast contributions give us much to learn from and to enjoy.