New Exhibits in the Old Courthouse

After extensive renovations and improvements, the Old Courthouse reopened on May 3, 2025 with four new galleries.

 

Step into history and experience how 19th-century courts shaped justice, society, and everyday life.

Sam Masterson

See You In Court.

This gallery highlights the vital role courts have played in shaping our society, legal system, and daily life from 1839 to 1930. This exhibit is housed in a recreated 1850s courtroom. Visitors can explore the courtroom and even participate in mock trials, gaining a deeper understanding of how the court system helps resolve conflicts peacefully and supports the structure of our society.

 

Learn about the courthouse's creators with kid-friendly exhibits.

Sam Masterson

Designed for Justice

This gallery showcases the courthouse’s remarkable architecture and the architects, artists, builders, and craftsmen who brought it to life. Discover the intricate details that make the building both beautiful and unique with hands-on exhibits that are especially popular with kids.

 

Discover the resilience, resistance, and influence of African Americans in St. Louis from slavery onward.

Sam Masterson

Pathways to Freedom

This gallery delves into African American life in St. Louis during the era of slavery and beyond, tracing the struggles of enslaved individuals seeking freedom, the continued fight for civil rights after the Civil War, and the rise of the Black elite known as the Colored Aristocracy, who built wealth and influence in the 1800s.

 

Trace the Scotts’ historic court battle for freedom.

Sam Masterson

Dred and Harriet Scott

This gallery tells the story of the Scotts’ courageous fight for freedom, which began at the Old Courthouse and led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that intensified national tensions and helped spark the Civil War. It also explores the lasting legacy and ongoing relevance of their case today.