St. Louis Official Visitors Guide 2009 - (Page 38) CULTURAL connections COURTESY OF GRACE HILL Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration E ncounter multi-cultural events, attractions and historic sites throughout St. Louis. Y ou’ve heard of the melting pot? Welcome to St. Louis where diverse groups of residents, past and present, have created a delightful stew of cultures that keeps each group’s unique tastes and traditions intact. Native American, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and a host of other cultures have shaped St. Louis from its very beginnings. Their presence, and the arrival of new American immigrants today— including one of the largest Bosnian communities in the country—continues to enrich life at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is one of America’s most important historic sites. It was here that slave Dred Scott sued for his freedom and the freedom of his wife, Harriett, in 1847. Scott won his case in St. Louis, but 10 years later The Official St. Louis Visitors Guide the Supreme Court of the United States ruled Scott was not a citizen and could not sue. The outcome of this case helped move the country toward the Civil War. Scott was later freed by a new owner and died in St. Louis in 1858. His grave can be visited at Calvary Cemetery. The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, a site on the Riverfront Trail bike path north of downtown, commemorates an incident where slaves were captured trying to escape to the free territory of Illinois in 1855. Visitors can rent a bike at the Gateway Arch Riverboats and pedal to the spot on the banks of the Mississippi. Dred Scott’s case, Mary Meachum’s actions and other moments in St. Louis’ African-American history can be studied at the Old Courthouse, the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park and the Black World History Museum in St. Louis, which displays wax figures of famous Missourians along with a re-created slave ship. The Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum details the story of Roswell Field, Scott’s lawyer, and the famous slavery trial. St. Louis’ long history also includes amazing artistic achievements by AfricanAmerican performers and composers. Josephine Baker began her long entertainment career in St. Louis before shooting to fame in the Revue Negre in Paris. Popular ballads—like the tales of “Frankie and Johnny” and “Stagger Lee”—were written kTRAVEL TIP Take a black history tour of the region with the National Black Tourism Network. Call (314) 865-0708 or visit www.tourism-network.net. 38 w w w. e x p l o r e s t l o u i s . c o m http://www.tourism-network.net http://www.explorestlouis.com
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