As the U.S. celebrates Black History Month, the Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch are presenting a variety of programs and films chronicling the rich heritage of African Americans and honoring their many contributions to our nation.
As the site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott slavery case in 1847 and 1850, the Old Courthouse is nationally significant in African-American history. While the structure was the site of hundreds of suits for freedom, it was the Dred Scott case that helped plunge our country into Civil War.
The case was first brought to trial in 1847, but was thrown out because of hearsay evidence. During a second trial in 1850, Dred Scott and his wife sued for, and were granted, their freedom. After many appeals, the case wasn’t finally decided until the Supreme Court ruled that slaves were property and had no right to sue.
During Black History Month, the Old Courthouse is hosting reenactments of this landmark case, giving members of the public the chance to act out scenes from Dred Scott’s 1850 trial. The reenactments are free and open to the public, and will take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday during February.
The Old Courthouse’s Black History Month film series will wrap up Feb. 22-28, with a viewing of “Never Lose Sight of Freedom,” a film highlighting the civil rights battle in the South. The films will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, and will begin every hour at half-past the hour.
At the Gateway Arch’s Museum of Westward Expansion, a special program called “Blacks in the West” will be presented at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday during February. Covering a different topic each week, the program will chronicle the black experience in the American West and tell the tales of the Westward Expansion from an African-American perspective.
The Museum of Westward Expansion’s special exhibits gallery is also hosting a film series during February that will wrap up Feb. 22-28 with a showing of “Dred Scott: Freedom on Trial,” a film chronicling the Dred Scott case.
The Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch are part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Old Courthouse is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the winter months, the Arch’s Museum of Westward Expansion is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
