Tuesday, January 30, 2007

 

Remembering Dred Scott


One of the most important cases ever tried in the United States was first heard in St. Louis’ Old Courthouse, and this year marks the 150th anniversary of the historic case’s Supreme Court decision. Dred Scott v. Sanford was a monumental ruling that divided the country on the issue of slavery and the resulting verdict is considered the flash point that sparked the country into the Civil War.

Dred Scott was born to slaves in Virginia around 1799 and was the property of the Peter Blow family. He had spent his entire life as a slave, and moved to St. Louis with the Blows in 1830. Blow soon ran into financial difficulties and eventually sold Scott to Dr. John Emerson, a military surgeon.

Scott traveled with Emerson to various posts throughout Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, areas that prohibited slavery as a result of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. During this time, Scott married fellow slave Harriet Robinson, and the couple had two children, Eliza and Lizzie.

Dr. Emerson married Irene Sanford and the Scotts and the Emersons returned to St. Louis in 1842. John Emerson died the following year, and it is believed that Mrs. Emerson began hiring out the Scotts to work for other families. In April of 1846, the Scotts filed suit against Irene Emerson, arguing that Dred had lived in free territories for more than nine years and, therefore, should be declared a free man. Past decisions by the Missouri courts had supported the doctrine of “once free, always free.” Because Scott could not read or write and had no money, he needed help with his suit and the Blows, his original owners, helped him finance his case.

The first trial ended in defeat, as the court ruled that hearsay evidence was presented. The judge granted the right to a second trial, and in 1850 a jury decided in favor of the Scotts and declared that they should be free. Two years later, Irene Emerson appealed her case to the Missouri State Supreme Court, which reversed the previous decision ruling that “times now are not as they were when the previous decisions on this subject were made.” The court stated that Missouri law allowed slavery and it would uphold the rights of Missouri slave-owners.

In 1854, Scott returned to court with a new team of lawyers, including Roswell Field, and they filed suit against John F.A. Sanford in St. Louis Federal Court. Sanford was Irene Emerson’s brother and the executor of the Emerson estate. Because Sanford lived in New York, the case was held in Federal court due to diversity of residence. The suit was heard in St. Louis at the Papin Building, and the verdict was returned in favor of Sanford.

Scott and his lawyers then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and the opinion handed down in March 1857, read that seven of the nine justices agreed that Scott should remain a slave. The court also ruled that as a slave, Scott was not a citizen of the United States, and that he had never been free, due to the fact that slaves were personal property.

After the Supreme Court decision, Irene Emerson re-married and eventually turned the entire Scott family back over to the Blow family, who then gave the Scotts their freedom in May 1857. Dred Scott died of tuberculosis in September of 1858 and was buried in St. Louis’ Calvary Cemetery.

Beginning in March 2007, a number of St. Louis-area attractions and historic sites will commemorate the monumental decision made by the United States Supreme Court in 1857. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Old Courthouse, Gateway Arch, and Museum of Westward Expansion, has planned a slate of activities to commemorate the historic court decision. For more information on special events, log onto the St. Louis CVC Calendar of Events section.

Dred Scott Weekend, March 2 through 6, 2007, will feature the opening of a special Dred Scott exhibit, performances by local school groups, choirs, keynote speakers, historic re-enactors, mock trials, and presentations on related historic sites, attractions and preservation efforts.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

 

Giving Birth to a Historic Site

On January 21, Annette Bridges, founding administrator of the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, will talk with visitors regarding the adventures of getting the house restored and launching a 15-year legacy that is still going strong. Ragtime pianist Richard Egan will perform some of Joplin's music.

Blues isn’t the only American roots music that made a home in St. Louis. The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is the only remaining residence where Joplin was known to have composed some of his ragtime melodies. Joplin lived in St. Louis from 1901-1903. The restored home includes an exhibit gallery and a room for ragtime performances with a player piano and rolls of Joplin’s music. The upstairs area is furnished with period furniture. Next door, visitors can tour the Rosebud Café a turn–of-the-century Ragtime club.

Upcoming Joplin House special events include:

February 11 - Rags to Rap (learn the importance of traditional syncopation from ragtime to current music trends)
February 25 - The History of Jazz in St. Louis (1895-1973)


For more information about Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, call 314/340-5790.

Monday, January 08, 2007

 

Rembrandt: Master Etchings From St. Louis Collections

In celebration of Rembrandt's 400th birthday, the Saint Louis Art Museum has on show his famous painting, Self-Portrait of 1669, from The Hague along with more than 40 of the best prints from the public and private collections of St. Louis.

The Hundred Guilder Print, once owned by a descendant of the artist's great friend Jan Six, and the large Christ Presented to the People from the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth are among the most important of the artist's impressions on view for the first time together in this exhibition.

Hurry, this exhibition is on show through January 14, 2007. For more information log onto www.slam.org.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

 

Songs of Korea


You have until January 7th to experience the Songs of Korea exhibit at the Worldways Museum. The traveling exhibit is designed to raise the awareness of South Korean culture, increase positive personal connections between one's own culture and to spark interest in Korean culture.

See how Korean children pass tradition on from generation to generation through music. Explore tools and materials that are used to create the drums that make ancient samulnori rhythms come to life. Try making some music of your own.

Worldways Children's Museum provides hands-on opportunities for people of all ages and encourages visitors to actively explore, experience and celebrate the lives and cultures of the people of our world. As a result of attending the museum, children and adults gain a broader outlook on the world and become more accustomed to expressions of other cultures and distinctions. The museum helps visitors to become more open-minded and willing to interact with people who have perspectives and beliefs different than their own.

Along with the “Songs of Korea” exhibit visitors can learn about Africa, China, the Philippines and many more people, places and things.

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