On June 14, 1886, photographer, Solomon D. Butcher photographed the Chrisman sisters in front of Elizabeth's sod home. One hundred and one years later, on March 16, 1987, descendants of those sisters saw their family photo in this park's Museum of Westward Expansion (the original museum) as part of its exhibit about 19th-century farmers in the west. During their visit, Mrs. Irene Sargent Dewey, the daughter of Elizabeth Chrisman, shared stories about her mother and aunts with the park rangers. These stories have helped expand the rangers' knowledge of what it was like for women who were a part of the 19th-century westward expansion of our nation. National Parks preserve and protect special places and stories from our country's past. Gateway Arch National Park formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial encourages you to explore its Museum and other National Parks to discover more of "her-stories". Image Credit: |
Last updated: May 11, 2021