Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum
Last year, curator Gwen Moore spoke with us about #1 in Civil Rights, her ambitious, 6,000 square foot exhibit at the Missouri History Museum that looked at the struggles for racial equality that have been happening in St. Louis for centuries: freedom suits, lunch-counter sit-ins, the protests in Ferguson, and more. The title is inspired by a quote from Judge Nathan B. Young, who proclaimed, “If one American city had to be chosen for a complete study of the civil rights movement—that city would properly be St. Louis.”
Over its year-long run, the exhibit has become one of the museum's most popular and well-attended shows ever. In addition to enriching our understanding of local Civil Rights history, Moore used a brilliant work-around when she wasn't able to locate portraits of key historical figures in the museum's archives: she worked with St. Louis artist to create them. That not only makes the exhibit richer, but will expand the museum's holdings in African-American history going forward. She also added touches like Thomas Sleet's projections in the foyer of the exhibit, which gives visitors a sense of actually being at a protest. The other creative touch was the ACTivists, a group of actors who worked with material from the exhibit and performed live theater in the galleries.
In the last two weeks of its run—it closes April 15—#1 in Civil Rights will offer lots of special programming. All events are free, unless indicated otherwise:
Sunday, April 8, 3 p.m.: Faith and Action, MacDermott Grand Hall
Rev. Traci Blackmon and the Christ The King United Church of Christ Choir speak about the connection between activism and the black church.
Monday, April 9, 5-8 p.m.: Member Night—#1 in Civil Rights, Museum-wide; members only, registration required
Members get the whole museum to themselves for the night, including one last tour through the exhibit with special performances by the ACTivist actors.
Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m: Music and Racial Segregation in 20th Century St. Louis, AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room
The museum unveils the Wash. U. online research exhibit, Music and Racial Segregation in Twentieth-Century St. Louis: Uncovering the Source. Hosted by Patrick Burke, associate professor of music and head of musicology at Washington University.
Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m.: Songs of the Civil Rights Movement LIVE, Lee Auditorium
This concert, presented by the musicians of the Freedom Arts & Education Center, explores the music of the Civil Rights movement.
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.: At the Elbows of My Elders Book Signing and Presentation, AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room
Gail Milissa Grant, daughter of pioneering Civil Rights activist David Grant, discussed her memoir, At the Elbows of My Elders: One Family’s Journey Toward Civil Rights. Topics include St. Louis' role in the March on Washington, as well as historical events, including the shift of black voters from the Republican to the Democratic Party.
Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.: A Celebration of GratiTUDE, MacDermott Grand Hall
This celebration of local activists and activism offers the public a chance to meet the freedom fighters of today and tomorrow. The event includes live music by DJ Nune, refreshments, and more. Presented with the Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Saturday, April 14, noon–4:30 p.m.: Celebrate the Artists and ACTivists of #1 in Civil Rights, museum-wide
Meet the artists who created the visual art for the exhibit—Robert Ketchens, Dail Chambers, Darnell Chambers, and William Burton—and experience one last performance from the #1 in Civil Rights ACTivists, who will present all of their historical characters in succession.
Sunday, April 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | What’s Next? From Exhibit to Action, museum-wide
The museum dedicates itself to the exhibit on closing day with activities and presentations meant to inspire visitors to apply the stories of the exhibit to their own lives, and become activists in their own way.
