3/5/2025 | Missouri State Museum | Jefferson City, MO
The scene of myriad grisly deaths, late 19th-century St. Louis was a hotbed for homicide, suicide, alcoholism, abortion and workplace accidents. This program will be presented by Columbia College associate professor Dr. Sarah Lirley, who specializes in the history of women and gender, 19th century history, and the history of death and death investigations. In her new book, Lirley shines a light on the Gilded Age coroners who investigated the causes of these deaths, finding that their rulings varied drastically depending on who conducted them. The talk will feature an excerpt from a chapter about the unexpected suicide of a well-known and respected St. Louis woman, Estelle Johnson. Investigations into deaths by suicide varied by coroner and along lines of race, class and gender, as Lirley will explain.
The Missouri State Museum's Landing After Hours program is held the first Wednesday of each month at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, located at 100 Jefferson St. Doors to the site's Lohman Building open at 6:30 p.m., and the program starts at 7 p.m. Convenient parking is available in the lot next to the Lohman Building.
In addition to being held in person, the program will also be livestreamed on the Missouri State Museum’s Facebook page. Did you know you don't have to have a Facebook account to view Facebook videos or live programs? Simply follow the link and enjoy: facebook.com/MissouriStateMuseum.
For more information about this free program, call the museum at 573-751-2854.
Program time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. | doors open: 6:30 p.m.
Program location:
- In person: Lohman Building, Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, 100 Jefferson St., Jefferson City
- Virtual: Missouri State Museum Facebook page
The Missouri State Museum is located at:
Associated activities
- Interpretive Programs