America is still on its journey to justice, and one of the most important locations on its trek stands in St. Louis near the Mississippi River.
It is the Old Courthouse, site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. In 1847, Dred Scott, with his wife Harriet, sued for, and were granted, their freedom. After many appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court finally ruled that slaves were property.
The Old Courthouse was also the site where the Virginia Minor case, which sought a woman’s right to vote, came to trial in the 1870s.
Enslaved people were auctioned from its steps, and the site is listed in the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network To Freedom, which recognizes sites, programs and facilities with verifiable associations to the Underground Railroad.
Its historic courtrooms and hallowed halls have been closed as extensive renovations were completed, and beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday May 3, 2025, the public is invited to join the celebration of its reopening during the “Journey to Justice” Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in celebration of the reopening of the Old Courthouse.
Attendees will be able to freely wander between Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s event and the newly reopened Old Courthouse until the building closes at 5 p.m.
Respective “Fountain-side Chats,” with Lynne Jackson, great-great-granddaughter of Dred and
Harriet Scott, and Jenifer Lewis, award-winning actor and St. Louis native during the event. Jackson’s will be held at 11:45 a.m., and Lewis’ follows at 1:30 p.m.
St. Louis television host Chelsea Haynes will serve as the festival’s emcee, with events on the community stage in Kiener Plaza:
“This is a momentous occasion for Gateway Arch National Park, for St. Louis, and for our visitors from all over the world,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation.
“This building connects us to the pivotal stories of our past and now, through these renovations and upgrades, will continue to bring our community and nation together for years to come.”
St. Louis visual artist Cbabi Bayoc crafted the “Journey to Justice” theme, and his designs will be featured throughout the event. He also illustrated a video for the Old Courthouse, which will play throughout the day in the new Dred and Harriet Scott exhibit.
“As one who is always dipping back into the history of this country and St. Louis, I am honored to have been invited to create branding involving such a meaningful and historic building that saw some of America’s most impactful court cases,” said Bayoc.
The festival will include local vendors, food trucks, activity booths, giveaways, and an interactive “passport” program, which will offer insight into the Old Courthouse’s role in history and its’ impact on the fight for justice and civil rights.