Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.
By adawebsitehelper_ts8fwm2 Mins Read
To mark its 125th anniversary, the Missouri State Historical Society hosted the first presentation of its monthly series on Tuesday.
The Elm History series explores different areas of the state’s history on the second Tuesday of each month. Topics include science fiction fandom, the 1939 sharecropper protests, and US Route 66.
Joan Stack, art curator for the State Historical Society, unveiled “10 Missouri Artworks to Help You Understand Our History” on Tuesday. At the noon event, Stack unveiled 10 of his art pieces, each representing a different era.
“We collect paintings in many ways and are committed to reflecting the history of all Missouri peoples,” said Stack.
The artworks depict a range of histories, from famous politicians to the experiences of the marginalized working class.
The first painting introduced was Chester Harding’s 1820 painting of explorer William Clark. Stack explained how Chester imitated Washington’s portrait to show political power. Background details in the painting linked Clarke’s past as an explorer to his political ambitions.
As time went on, the painting of history became more inclusive of the experiences of different groups of people, and Dredd Scott’s portrait caught the attention of the participants. Scott was made famous by his 1857 Supreme Court decision, Dred Scott v. Sanford, which denied black Americans full citizenship.
“I knew about Dred Scott, but I didn’t know the details of the case. I really learned a lot,” said Susan Ryan, one of the attendees. Ryan will be attending an upcoming event.
Stack said the historical society is adamant about reflecting “the history of all the people of Missouri.”
“It may not have been true when we were founded,” she said. “This is just one way the State Historical Society can reflect and measure progress.”
Celebrations are held on the second Tuesday of each month and last about an hour from 12:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and please bring your own lunch. No registration required.
