Date: February 5, 2008
Contact: Carl Schumacher, (314) 655-1636
Contact: Rick Ziino, (314) 655-1725
STORYTELLER LORETTA WASHINGTON TO PORTRAY THE LIVES OF SLAVES AT THE HISTORIC OLD COURTHOUSE
WHERE: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial – Historic Old Courthouse
WHEN: Friday, February 22: 9:30 and 11:00 (School and Community Groups)
Saturday, February 23: 10:30 and 1:00 (General Public)
WHAT: “Where Would We Be Without Thee” – Loretta Washington, a local storyteller and educator, will portray several slave women, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and others, focusing on the hardships, struggles and challenges they encountered in their everyday lives and how they worked to overcome them.
WHY: African Americans have played central roles in some of the most triumphant the courageous moments in the history of the United States. During National African American History Month, the National Park Service will honor the rich heritage of African Americans and pay tribute to their many contributions to the nation through a month long series of free performances and presentations.
The Historic Old Courthouse, located at 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Museum of Westward Expansion, located beneath the Gateway Arch along the St. Louis riverfront, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All programs are free and open to the public. Community and School groups wishing to attend the Friday programs must make a reservation. To make reservations and for a free calendar of the 2008 African-American Heritage Program Series, call (314) 655-1700 weekdays, or 7-1-1 voice/TTY Telecommunications Relay Service or visit us at www.nps.gov/jeff.
