The Missouri History Museum is proud to present its second Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Family Celebration on Saturday, January 16. This program is focused on sharing the life and legacy of Dr. King with the museum’s youngest visitors and their families.
Over the past year there have been events throughout the country that show how far we still need to come in regards to civil rights issues. Many of today’s schools do not provide a solid curriculum on civil rights and so many young people are not aware of the struggles their parents and grandparents endured to provide a better life for their children.
From housing to income equality to education, Dr. King fought so that everyone would have an equal chance at success. By learning about the life of Dr. King, young children are introduced not only to an African American hero, but a world hero who has continued to make difference decades after his death.
The celebration includes activities that will appeal to children of all ages. The program includes an interactive performance by Mama Lisa who will take visitors back in time to life in Atlanta during the 1960s. From the viewpoint of a child, Mama Lisa will help children understand the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing fight for freedom.
For students who are artistically inclined, there will be peace inspired art projects that reflect Dr. King’s message of non-violence resistance. Finally, there will be storytelling focused on inclusion, diversity, and the contributions Dr. King made not only to this country, but around the world.
As you reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., you may become interested in exploring your own family history. The African American History and Genealogy Association meets monthly at the History Museum to help individuals learn how to research their family histories and share them with others. This group’s first meeting of the New Year will be on Saturday, January 16 at 2 p.m. If learning about genealogy is one of your New Year’s resolutions, this is a good place to start.
While you are at the museum, please be sure to stop by “A Walk in 1875 St. Louis.” After almost a year, this exhibition closes on February 14. The year of 1875 was a momentous year in the life of St. Louis with the founding of Sumner High School and the “Great Divorce” between the City and County. Based on the Compton and Dry pictorial maps, the exhibition is full of fun facts and amazing maps that highlight ten neighborhoods during that time period.
Don’t wait until the last minute to see one of the museum’s most popular exhibition welcoming more than 180,000 during its run. This is the third most visited exhibition in the museum’s history after “Lewis and Clark” and “250 in 250.”
Saturday, January 16
MLK Family Celebration
FREE
10 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Mama Lisa presents King Family Kids: Revisit life in Atlanta during the 1960’s from a kid’s point of view. Join Mama Lisa in a southern tale with tunes, trivia, and toe-tapping fun for all ages.
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Get Creative and make peace-inspired art projects to take away.
10:30 a.m.: Hooray for MLK Storytelling: Hear stories about inclusion, diversity, and the good that Martin Luther King Jr. brought to the world.
African American History and Genealogy Workshops
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
FREE
Join the African American History and Genealogy Society and notable speakers as they share methods and important findings related to genealogical research.
