HEC-TV Live! Presents The Gateway City: Passage to Possibilities

HEC-TV Live! Presents
The Gateway City:  Passage to Possibilities
19th Century St. Louis Immigration

Date:  April 30, 2009
Times: 10 to 11:00 a.m.  or 1 to 2:00 p.m. CDT
Grade Levels: 4-10
Cost:  NO CHARGE (financial support provided by Missouri Humanities Council)

The story of America is a story of immigration. From our first colonial settlers through the wave of 19th century immigrants to the 20th century refugees from war and famine to those still coming today, the desire to build a better life has motivated millions to our shores. What does it mean to be an immigrant?  What forces compel you to embark on an uncertain journey? What is life like in a new and strange country? To complement your students’ study of historic periods of immigration, we invite you to hear the stories of 19th century immigrants to St. Louis.

In this interactive videoconference, you & your students will have the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of European immigrants that came to St Louis in the mid and later part of the 19th century.  Your students will interact with archivists and historians as they share stories of immigrants and what their life was like as they crossed the ocean and settled in this new land. Learn about Mullanphy Emigrant Home in St. Louis which, according to Sean Thomas, Executive Director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, functioned as a “lighthouse, a safe haven for immigrants getting their start,” in St. Louis. Find out about the services available at the Mullanphy House and how immigrants contributed to the vibrant growth of St. Louis in the 19th century.

Take a look into primary source documents of the time. Ask your questions. Hear the stories. Join this compelling discussion of 19th century immigration to America. Register for this program with roundtrips@clayton.k12.mo.us.