Photo courtesy of the Missouri History Museum.
"History was made June 12, 2019." The powerful statement will be the first thing to greet visitors at the Missouri History Museum's newest exhibit, "History Made," a tribute to the Blues' journey from last in the league to first-time Stanley Cup champions.
Around 20 artifacts—including players' skates, sticks, pucks, and jerseys—tell the story of the Blue's epic season in four sections: "History Made," "Road to the Cup," "First Finals Win," and "Stanley Meet Gloria." Look closely and you can see the puck marks on Jordan Binnington's Game 7 leg pads or the wear on St. Louis native Pat Maroon's jersey from his double-overtime goal in the playoffs against the Dallas Stars. MVP Ryan O’Reilly’s jersey and hockey stick make an appearance, as does the helmet worn by captain Alex Pietrangelo in Game 7 of the finals. The coolest memento? A case displaying each of the four pucks that sailed into the Boston Bruins' net in the final game and won St. Louis its first championship.
According to Jody Sowell, managing director of strategic initiatives for the museum, the pieces tell a story that transcends the game.
"This victory was about more than hockey, more than even the Blues," Sowell says. "It was about Laila, who becomes an inspiration for the whole city. It was about 'Gloria,' which becomes an anthem for the whole city. St Louis talks about the issues that face us, but this was one of those moments where everyone came together in celebration, and you felt the whole community connecting."
Photo courtesy of the Missouri History Museum.
The "History Made" exhibit is free and will run through the NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on January 25, 2020. The team got a first look at the installation this past Monday—the private ceremony where the players received their detailed championship rings took place in the museum. It then opened to the public the next morning at 10, and Sowell says fans were lined up outside the building in their Blues gear.
"It's important for us to remind [visitors] that what you're living through today is also history," Sowell says. "What you're living through today is what people will be looking back on for generations to come."
