This month’s Unseen STL History Talk shines a light on the stories of enslaved Missourians, their fight for freedom, and the vital role St. Louis and its surrounding communities played in the Underground Railroad.

Dorris Keeven-Franke will share the remarkable story of Archer Alexander, an enslaved man in Missouri who seized his freedom in February 1863. Along with sixteen others, he made his escape from the Howell’s Ferry Landing, receiving protection and support from Rev. William Greenleaf Eliot, founder of Washington University.

Julie Nicolai will highlight several Underground Railroad sites in St. Louis County, including the Old Des Peres Presbyterian Church and sites in Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and Frontenac. Some of these locations may have been part of the very route Archer Alexander traveled to secure his freedom. Julie will delve into the local connections and hidden stories embedded in these familiar places, showing how our own neighborhoods were shaped by resistance and resilience.

Join us at Leviathan Bookstore on the third Thursday of every month for an evening of local lore and unexpected history. Doors swing open at 6:30 p.m., giving you ample time to explore the shelves and connect with fellow history buffs. Talks start at 7 p.m., with a $5 cover helping support this speaker series.