As we kick off Black History Month, we’re spending time highlighting some of the Black stories in and around St. Louis. To start, we’re staying at CITYPARK. At the corner of Market and 22nd Streets, you will find Pillars of the Valley. This art installation created by Artist Damon Davis stands as a tribute to the predominantly Black Mill Creek Valley neighborhood that the City deemed blighted and demolished in 1959 , and where our stadium is today.
In addition to the artist, this was made possible through the collaboration with Great Rivers Greenway, Harris-Stowe State University, Counterpublic 2023 Civic Art Exhibition. We encourage you spend some time at the installation on your next visit to CITYPARK. Until then, we hope that you will read more about Pillars of the Valley and the community of Mill Creek Valley. In addition to these stories, we gathered a few resources to discover more Black history in St. Louis.
The Griot Museum of Black History
While there are many great museums in St. Louis, The Griot Museum of Black History uniquely focuses on the Black experience in St. Louis. It includes artifacts and stories that show the changes and impact of the Black community in our city. Founder/President and CEO of the Museum, Lois Conley has worked to ensure that the stories, heritage and history of this community has a permanent home.
Great Rivers Greenway
Throughout the St. Louis area, you can find Greenways, outdoor spaces that connect people and places. The more you explore, the more you will find, including some places rooted in Black history in St. Louis. The Mary Meachum Site on the Mississippi Greenway includes a tribute recognized by the National Park Service as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Stories of Excellence from the University of Missouri-St. Louis
As part of their celebration of Black History Month at, the team at UMSL has collected local stories of Black folks making history today. From preserving public lands to renovating homes, there’s a diverse list of STLMade features to explore.
As we continue to celebrate all month long at CITY, keep an eye out for more stories about Black History in St. Louis.
