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.

ABOUT:

The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, except during the winter months, when hours are 9 am to 6 pm, from Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend. The Old Courthouse is open daily year-round from 8 am to 4:30 pm. The Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Programs and events at the park are made possible by the generous support from our cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development Agency. For more information about programs and events, please call 877.982.1410 or go to gatewayarch.com.

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