Photos courtesy of Mr. Wiley Price, Mr. David Grove, and Mrs. Connie Eller, KSDK News.
Marshfield 2025 Descendant of Nat Turner and Dred Scott
Join us on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. for the 14th Annual Dred Scott Reconciliation Forum – Two iconic freedom fighters’ descendants will be presenting “Two Historic Roads to Freedom” – Dr. Bryan Moore (Nat Turner’s great-great grandson) and Lynne Jackson (Dred Scott’s great-great granddaughter) will share the inside stories and answer puzzling questions about their ancestors who were neighbors in Southampton, VA. Peeling back the complex layers of their ancestor’s stories that marked our history for perpetuity and what they are doing today in response to reconciling the hurts – Marshfield Assembly of God (1538 W. Washington, Marshfield, Missouri.)
Nat Turner’s great-great grandson
Dred Scott’s great-great granddaughter
GRAND REOPENING OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE AND FESTIVAL IS MAY 3, 2025
After being closed for 5 years, the Old Courthouse in St. Louis will celebrate its long-awaited Grand Reopening on Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Along with totally revised galleries on the first floor and an expanded and beautifully attired new book store and gift shop, there is now an elevator to the second floor.
The building is now telling more of the stories of the history of the cases, uses, purpose and construction of the edifice.
Mock trails will continue to be held on the first floor’s new courtroom as well as in the refurbished original courtrooms upstairs.
Dred and Harriet Scott have a new gallery dedicated to the legacy of the impact of their story.
Special guests will join the occasion that day.
Cbabi Bayoc is the designer of the festival’s theme.
Across from the Scott’s room is the Pathways to Freedom gallery that explores African-American life in St. Louis, etc.
The festival will take place in Kiener Plaza until 3 p.m. The courthouse will be open for visitors throughout the day until its closings at 5 pm. The public is invited.
Gateway Arch Park Foundation – Old Court Grand Reopening
U.S. Magistrate Judges’ National Workshop – Hilton Ballpark, St. Louis, Missouri
Lynne M. Jackson will be the plenary speaker on Monday, April 14th at the U.S. Magistrate Judges’ National Workshop – April 14-16, 2025, Hilton Ballpark, St. Louis Missouri. Lynne M. Jackson will be the plenary speaker on Monday, April 14th. This event is not open to the public.
Partnering with Sumner High School for 150th Anniversary Theatre Production
In collaboration with the historic Sumner High School whose 150th anniversary is THIS YEAR (1875 – 2025), we are promoting the theatre production, Dream Girls. The production is free of charge and open to the public.
The Civil War Roundtable of D.C – Dred Scott: Struggle for Freedom and Continued Legacy
The Civil War Roundtable of D.C. and President Lincoln’s Cottage have partnered to welcome Lynne Jackson, President and Founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation and the great, great granddaughter of Dred Scott.
Mrs. Jackson will give a presentation on Dred and Harriet Scott’s
11-year legal battle for freedom and the work of the foundation to promote commemoration, education and reconciliation in today’s fractured environment.
M1 Bank Selects DSHF as one of their new charities.
M1 Bank’s new world headquarters opened in Clayton, MO in September 2024. Ken Poteet and his wife Stephanie Bahn-Poteet started M1 Bank in 2017 as The Power of Mission and Purpose. Dred Scott was selected along with five other non-profits for support this year. Donations designated by attendees through the Giving Grove were given to the organizations by M1 Bank.
We are extremely grateful for this relationship and the faith and purpose in the hearts of this couple to reach out to the community in this way. Many thanks to Ken and Stephanie!
Black History/Women’s History Month Upcoming Events
Challenging History Virtual Programs – Free (Registration is required) – Register Here!
February 12-Commerce Bank Black History Month Presents the History of Dred Scott-Lynne Jackson Presenting (not open to the public)
February 15-National Association of University Women (NAUM) North Shore IL Branch 30th Annual African American Educators Luncheon-Lynne Jackson Keynote Speaker
February 16-Youth for Justice Pilgrimage sponsored by Good Journey, Dionne Ferguson, Founder & Executive Director-Lynne Jackson, Panelist
Black and white youth from Indianapolis, Indiana will attend panel discussion in St. Louis regarding civil rights issues.
February 18-Paraquad Black History Month Presentation-Lynne Jackson Presenting
February 19-St. Louis County Library Black History Month Presentation-Earnest Hart Jr., Presenting
February 20-Alongside Dr. King, a Journalist’s Up-Close Perspective on the Civil Rights Movement, Presented by the Kirkwood Human Rights Commission.
This is a presentation by friend of DSHF, JNPA board member and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Law Firm Partner, Ben Clark, whose father wrote the Man of the Year article on Dr. King for Time Magazine. Location: Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. This live event is free.
February 21-MCSS Annual Convention-Lynne Jackson, Brent Trout, Jody Sowell-Keynote Speakers
March 21-National Council for History Education (NCHE) Conference -Panelist include Robert Good, Lynne M. Jackson, Anne Twitty, and Andrea S. Boyles, members of the Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation Board and Education Committee (see pages 9 & 10 of program)
Governor Parsons Pardons Former Slave Celia Newsom on December 20, 2025
Great-great granddaughter of Celia Newsom, Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, secured a pardon from Missouri Governor Mike Parson upon leaving office on Dec 20, 2024.
Letter in Support of Pardon of Celia Newsom
In Memory of Jim Schiele, our friend and volunteer
We are very sad to announce the passing of our dear friend,
Mr. James “Jim” Schiele on December 9, 2024.
As a founding member of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation,
we bless his family and honor him with the following Resolution:
