Laura Ritchie of Chesterfield, MO, was crowned Ms. Missouri Senior...
Read More
23rd ANNUAL MARY MEACHUM FREEDOM CROSSING
CELEBRATION HONORS BLACK HISTORY
Free celebrations for St. Louis area residents on Sept. 20 and Sept. 27 will each
feature a historical performance aboutf Missouri’s Underground Railroad
For the first time, the 2025 Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration will be a two-part event on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Missouri Botanical Garden and September 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the historic Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing on the Mississippi Greenway. Themed “Unconditional Freedom: Live Free or Die Trying,” the 23rd annual celebration highlights the story of the people who Mary Meachum led to seek their freedom from enslavement by Henry Shaw at the site of today’s Missouri Botanical Garden.
Both events are free and open to the public and will both include a historical performance at 12 p.m.. All ages are welcome to witness and reflect on how enslaved people and their allies risked it all in pursuit of basic freedoms.
- Part 1: September 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Attendees should register on Eventbrite for a free ticket to both the Garden and the historical performance in the amphitheater at 12 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket for the amphitheater lawn. (Please note registration is free but required.) Enjoy tours of Shaw’s home as well.
- Part 2: September 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing on the Mississippi Greenway
The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing site is located on the Mississippi Greenway (Riverfront Trail) on the Mississippi River, just north of Merchant’s Bridge in North St. Louis (28 E Grand Ave, St. Louis, MO 63147). There will be free parking along the levee wall and a shuttle to the event. Chairs underneath tents for shade are provided for the historical performance at 12 p.m. The event also includes family-friendly activities and games; and food, drinks and goods available for purchase from local vendors.
The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing site, which is a member of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom Program, commemorates the work of Mary Meachum, a Black abolitionist who guided many enslaved people to freedom by helping them cross over to the free state of Illinois. She later helped to spearhead education efforts for Black men, women and children in St. Louis.
“Of the nine enslaved people who met at the Mary Meachum site on May 21, 1855, four of them had fled from Henry Shaw in Tower Grove. This is the first time the two sites have been connected,” said Angela da Silva, Mary Meachum event manager. “
This event is made possible by many partners, including: Angela da Silva, Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Division of Tourism, Explore St. Louis, City of St. Louis, Missouri History Museum, Youth & Family Center, and Joshua House Ministries. Thanks to First Student for providing free community shuttle services and Ironman Sound for discounted audio support. Thanks to St. Louis City and County Libraries for distributing flyers. For more information, visit www.MaryMeachum.org.
