First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will host a celebration of the 184th anniversary of the founding of the State of Missouri on Sunday, August 7, 2005. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the event will be held from 10 am to 5 pm and is free and open to the public.
Staff and volunteers of the historic site will present several activities including early 19th century craft demonstrations, special exhibits and historical re-enactors in period costume. Visitors will have the opportunity to help whitewash a fence with traditional homemade whitewash. Missouri birthday cake and refreshments will be served. A free open house of First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will be available to the public.
Missouri officially became the 24th state of the United States of America on August 10, 1821. Missouri’s entry into the Union was the focus of much debate and controversy that was discussed nationwide. A clause in the Missouri Constitution of 1820 was considered to violate an amendment in the U.S. Constitution and statehood was denied until this problem could be corrected in the summer of 1821. This settlement, called the Missouri Compromise, was the first act addressed by the Missouri General Assembly in their new and temporary quarters in St. Charles. St. Charles served as Missouri’s state capitol from 1821-1826. The Capitol building is fully restored and furnished to reflect this period. The state historic site is open seven days a week, offering tours.
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at 200-216 South Main Street in the heart of the St. Charles City Historic District. For more information on the event, call the site at (636) 940-3322 or the Department of Natural Resources directly at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at www.mostateparks.com.
