Unseen STL Vibes June 2024
Positive STL news, events and historical tidbits
Welcome to Unseen STL Vibes, a new monthly feature of Unseen St. Louis, where I’ll highlight our city's positive and unique aspects. Each month, I will showcase uplifting stories, events, and hidden gems that make St. Louis special. Unseen STL Vibes aims to spread joy and foster a deeper appreciation for our city. This is an experimental project, and I’m eager to see how it resonates with you. (Please let me know in the comments if this is a feature you’d like to see me continue!)
Upbeat STL news
Connecting to Roots: A South St. Louis Farm Initiative
A farm in South St. Louis helps foreign-born residents reconnect with their cultural heritage by providing space to grow native plants and vegetables. This initiative, a 42,000-square-foot public-facing farm in the Botanical Heights neighborhood in south St. Louis, fosters community and nostalgia, offering immigrants a vital link to their traditions and enhancing their sense of belonging in a new country. For more details, visit STLPR.
Tiger Cubs Delight at Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo recently welcomed a litter of Amur tiger cubs, bringing joy and excitement to visitors and staff alike. The cubs are thriving under the care of their mother and the watchful eyes of the zoo's animal care team. Their playful behaviors and rapid growth have made them a favorite attraction. The zoo’s commitment to conservation is highlighted by its efforts to ensure the cubs' well-being and their role in the survival of this endangered species. Check out more at Ladue News.
Murphy Loves Him Like a Rock
Murphy, the rescued bald eagle that captivated people around the world in 2023 when he was trying to hatch a rock and then was given a new eaglet to raise, has a new baby this spring! After his last foster eagle was released in the wild, he was given a new eaglet, this one named 24-159. They’re both doing great! You can follow Murphy’s adventures in parentage on the World Bird Sanctuary Facebook page or Instagram page. And although Murphy and his eaglet are not on display you can visit the WBC and check in on all the other birds. They’re located at 25 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park, MO 63088, and you can learn more about them at worldbirdsanctuary.org. Happy Father’s Day, Murphy! ❤️
Population Trends Show Growth in Select St. Louis Areas
While St. Louis has faced a long-term population decline, certain areas, especially the Central West End, Midtown, Downtown, and Downtown West, have seen growth driven by an increase in foreign-born residents. This demographic shift is vital for the city's economic vitality and future sustainability. For more insights, visit First Alert 4.
HOK Reaffirms Downtown St. Louis Presence
Global design firm HOK announced it will remain in Downtown St. Louis, keeping its office and 170 staff members there even after its lease expires in August 2025. Margaret McDonald, a senior principal at HOK, emphasized the importance of downtown areas for regional health and vibrancy. “We are proud of our St. Louis origin and proud to have an office in Downtown St. Louis ever since our founding,” she said. Learn more at Greater STL Inc.
The Victor's Adaptive Reuse in St. Louis
The Victor, formerly the Butler Brothers warehouse built in 1906 and located at 18th and Washington, has been transformed into a vibrant residential space in downtown St. Louis. This adaptive reuse project by Trivers maintains the building's historical charm while introducing modern amenities. Features include a central courtyard, shared social spaces, and a rooftop terrace. The renovation highlights the building's architectural heritage, contributing to urban revitalization and offering a new model for sustainable development. Read a detailed article about this transformation at Architectural Record.
Butler Brothers warehouse in 1956. Missouri Historical Society
STL History and Related Events
Unseen STL History - Made in St. Louis: The Local Stuff Underfoot
The monthly Unseen STL History talks continue with a presentation by Missouri History Museum Public Historian Andrew Wanko. He will explore how local natural resources, from billion-year-old granite to sticky clay, shaped 19th and early 20th-century St. Louis. The talk will cover eight materials, including limestone for foundations and streets and decorative brick and terra cotta that beautified the city. Join us on June 20th at 7 pm at Spine Bookstore and Cafe, 1982 Arsenal, to learn about the structures built with these materials and the workers involved, and gain new insights into the city's architectural heritage. $5 cover; doors open at 6 pm.
What We're Made Of: St. Louis' Architectural Geology
In a similar vein (get it?), Missouri History Museum Public Historian Amanda Clark will present the story of the geology that has made the St. Louis built environment possible. This event is part of the National Building Arts Center’s Summer Lecture Series and will take place on June 19th at 6:30 pm at the National Building Arts Center, 2300 Falling Springs Road, Sauget, IL 62206. Although the event is free, tickets are required.
Gateway to Pride
The Missouri History Museum presents Gateway to Pride, the first comprehensive exhibit on St. Louis’s LGBTQIA+ history. This exhibit, running from June 8, 2024, to July 6, 2025, is the result of a decade-long community-driven initiative. It features artifacts, images, and oral histories. Visitors will gain new perspectives on the region's past, recognizing LGBTQIA+ individuals as central figures in St. Louis's history. The exhibit highlights their lives, struggles, and contributions, previously overlooked, providing a powerful and relevant narrative. Visit the Missouri History Museum’s website for more information. (And be sure to check out PrideFest 2024, downtown along Market Street, on June 30th. For more info, visit pridestl.org.
Landmarks Association of St. Louis Spring Lecture Series
The Landmarks Association of St. Louis has a number of upcoming lectures in June. All are free but require advance registration. They will take place at the Landmarks building, 1805 S. 9th Street in Soulard (just up the street from Protagonist Cafe and the Soulard Market).
"The Lion's Den; Misadventures in Restoration" with Mitch and Amanda Goist, Home Rehabbers, June 12th at 6:00 PM.
"Dr. Richard Fuhrmann: Amateur Photographer in turn-of-the-century St. Louis" with Tom Gronski, Researcher, Campbell House Museum, June 19th at 12:00 PM.
"The Photos of Dr. William Swekosky: The Dentist Who Became the ‘Pallbearer' of Old St. Louis” with Andy Hahn, Director of the Campbell House Museum, June 26th at 12:00 PM.
Off the Clock: Arts and Activism After Hours – a fundraiser for Bread & Roses MO
Are you looking for a night that combines creativity and change-making? Off the Clock: Arts and Activism After Hours is more than a party — it’s a celebration of people power and the power of art to drive social change. Come mingle, dance, and support @breadandrosesmo mission of using the arts to amplify voices and empower communities! Get your tickets now for a night of inspiration and impact on June 20th at @workandleisurestl! To learn more and get tickets, go to http://givebutter.com/offtheclock2024
Downtown Summer Nights
Greater St. Louis, Inc. presents weekly parties to celebrate summer in Downtown St. Louis. The parties are held every Thursday (except July 4) from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kiener Plaza. Check the website for details about each week’s event.
STL History Tidbits
Did you know that the Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the US and the second-tallest in the world after the Eiffel Tower?
Martin Wilkes Heron, an Irish-American from St. Louis, invented the liqueur Southern Comfort while living in New Orleans. It won the gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, and Heron brought its manufacturing to St. Louis in 1909. (Thanks to Cameron Collins for this tidbit!)
Did you know there’s a single surviving horse trough from the 19th century out in plain sight? You can find it in the triangle bound by Ivory/Schirmer/Virginia. And nope, that’s not a fountain! (From Found St. Louis.)
Unseen STL Links
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If you liked this inaugural edition of Unseen STL Vibes, please let me know in the comments, and please share it with your friends!
And if you have history-related events, news, historical tidbits, or other things you think Unseen STL readers would appreciate, just email me. Be sure to include “Unseen STL Vibes” in the subject line.