Old Courthouse Remembers Dred Scott Decision
Release Date: February 18, 2014
Contact: Ann Honious, JNEM
Phone: 314-655-1614
Contact: Jenna Todoroff, Common Ground PR
Phone: 636-530-1235
Old Courthouse Remembers Dred Scott Decision
Free events commemorate 157th anniversary of historic landmark case
WHAT: On Saturday, March 8, the National Park Service honors the 157th anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision, one of the most important cases ever tried in the United States and one that was heard in St. Louis’ Old Courthouse. The Supreme Court decided the case in 1857, and the decision hastened the start of the Civil War. This all-day event is FREE and open to the public, and presented in association with the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation.
Lynne Jackson, great-great granddaughter of Dred Scott, and Jeff Hines, descendant of Peter Blow, Dred Scott’s owner, will lead a presentation and discussion on the historic case, and retrace Scott and Blow’s genealogy. Hines will also be available to sign copies of his book Dred Scott’s Virginia.
WHERE: Old Courthouse, 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO 63102
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
- 11:30 am: Acoustic performance by Shiloh music group featuring 19th-century songs.
- 12:00 pm: “Reflections,” a dramatization by the Dred Scott Theater Troupe.
- 12:45 pm: Jeff Hines, Blow family descendant, will present his research on Dred Scott and the Blow family in Virginia. Lynne Jackson, great-great granddaughter of Dred Scott, will join in the discussion after the presentation.
- 1:45 pm: Jeff Hines book signing of Dred Scott’s Virginia.
- 2:15 pm: Ranger-led mock trial of the second Dred Scott trial. (*Minimum of 6 visitors necessary for the mock trial, or a ranger-led discussion session will take place instead.)
CONTACT: Visit www.gatewayarch.com or call 1-877-982-1410 for more information.