Charles van Ravenswaay (August 10, 1911 – 1990) was an American historian, museum administrator, and author. He served as State Superintendent of the Missouri Writer's Project, producing Missouri: The WPA Guide to the "Show Me" State in 1941. He served as director of the Missouri Historical Society from 1946–1962, and as president of the American Alliance of Museums from 1961–1962. From 1966–1976, van Ravenswaay served as director of the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum and Gardens.