1858 Fourth of July in St. Louis

[Doug Harding]

July 4th 2008

The National Park Service in hosting our annual Fourth of July celebration at the Historic Old Court House in St. Louis, Mo. on Friday 4 July. This is the site of the first two trials of the Dred Scott Case. We will have music, historic vignettes, 1858 State elections and many more chananagans.

Information is posted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/doughardingslivinghistoryfriends/

or you can e-mail me at Douglas_Harding@nps.gov

Doug

[Anna Allen]

I always look forward to the 4th of July in St. Louis. :)

[Silvana Siddali]

I'd like to add a bit of info about Doug's event and the other holiday celebrations we're planning here in St. Louis. On Friday, July 4, we'll be running the usual activities at the beautiful & historic Old Courthouse. As Anna said, this is always a fun day that includes music, speeches, and living history scenarios.

On the following day, as I mentioned in the preservation folder, we will have an antebellum patriotic celebration at the Fairfax House. The purpose of that event is to help raise awareness (and funds) to preserve this endangered building. The day's activities include outdoor games, a picnic, speeches, songs, and tours of the building. The celebration is free and open to the public; we'll charge a small fee for the tours. This is such a worthy cause -- and we would love to see more folks in period clothing come out and help.

Finally, on Sunday, July 6, we will have a private picnic and a more solemn patriotic celebration on the grounds of the breathtakingly beautiful Bellefontaine cemetery.

If you're interested in joining in, please get in touch via pm or email:
starofthewestsociety@gmail.com

[Doug Harding]

Update:

We will be doing the August 1858 State elections as a part of our activities. The Old Courthouse was the polling place for the 5th Ward. We will be running the election as they did in 1858. We need Civilian men to be Black Republicans, National Democrats and Know-Nothings promoting their ticket of candidates. More information is posted on my Yahoo web site @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/doughardingslivinghistoryfriends/ . This is a great opportunity to learn about the politics and voting practices leading us to the CW. If your interested drop me an e-mail.

Doug

[Silvana Siddali]

There are some great activities planned for women too. We will reenact part of the Virginia Minor trial and demonstrations (though this is slightly postwar) as well as a temperance revival. Women will also pay their taxes, using the 1858 tax rolls, though we won't be able to vote, of course. If you haven't seen the Old Courthouse, this is a great opportunity to get into all parts of the building and see the site where Dred Scott's first trial was held in 1846.

For me one of the best parts of the event is the chance to hear the brilliant Gum Springs Serenaders.

This will be a fantastic weekend -- the Bellefontaine event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not to be missed!