"Slavery in St. Louis"

10/21/2023 to 10/22/2023 | First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site | St. Charles, MO

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is proud to host the special exhibition “Slavery in St. Louis,” curated by Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

Slavery existed in St. Louis for 100 years under French, Spanish and American rule of the city. Famous Black American civil rights leaders such as William Wells Brown, Dred and Harriet Scott, and James Milton Turner were once enslaved in St. Louis. Using primary sources, individual stories of enslavement and additional resources for teachers, this exhibit helps students connect with the city’s complicated history and understand how it has been remembered – and misremembered – in the present.

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will host the exhibit in the legislative chambers of the First Missouri State Capitol building. The historic Capitol will be open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 22 for self-guided tours and to view the special exhibit. See the times below for more details.

The exhibit’s curator, Nick Sacco, will speak on the formation and research of the exhibit from 10:30-11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22. He will also be on hand afterward to answer questions.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site at 636-940-3322.

Event Times:

• Saturday, Oct. 21:
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Capitol open for self-guided tours and exhibit viewing
  • 10:30-11 a.m. – speech by exhibit curator Nick Sacco
• Sunday, Oct. 22:
  • Noon to 4 p.m. – Capitol open for self-guided tours and exhibit viewing

Click here to see the exhibit flyer.

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at: