Credits | Jewish Marker Advisory Board | Old North Advisory Board

History Happened Here is a forum where our community’s stories will be shared through historical sites identified by each cultural group, enabling the group itself to determine its most significant contributions in the development of St. Louis and its own individual community.

All of human history has happened in a specific place on earth. All of our memories, individual and community, are attached to a particular space on the planet. Imbued with the stories of ourselves and our predecessors, the places we inhabit become an embodiment of our identity and the keeper of our memories.

This place we call St. Louis is the story of many cultures woven into the tapestry of its identity. As we begin to learn the stories of each other, we incorporate them into our own lives, so that none of us is a stranger. We who share this common ground share a past, a community identity, and a set of aspirations for the future.

History Happened Here is a site where we can meet to participate in that dynamic process of using the past to define and redefine who we are, what we believe, what we like and dislike, and the values we hold dear. This site is a work in progress, just as the fabric of our community is a work in progress, subject to restructuring and revisions as new facts are discovered, new patterns and colors to be developed as we tell each other the stories of ourselves. Through the changes and expansion we expect to occur, it remains a common ground where by telling each other our stories we become community.

As we come together to construct a mutual narrative, it is essential that we recognize all the things we share. At the same time, aware of the bland homogenization of so much of twenty-first century culture, we are called to emphasize the differences that make us a people with a sense of identity and this place distinct from any other.

Because History Happened Here is, like a community and even history itself, an ongoing project, you will not find here the last word or the final authority. What you will find is the developing story of our place and an invitation to participate in its construction.

Robert R. Archibald, Ph.D.
President, Missouri Historical Society

Credits
The History Happened Here project has received generous support from
Mr. I.E. Millstone

With the History Happened Here project a community’s stories will be told through significant sites identified by each cultural group, enabling the group itself to determine their most significant contributions in the development of St. Louis and their individual communities.

Missouri Historical Society assembled ten community advisors to assist with the process of determining the significant sites and the development of the project.

With heart felt gratitude the Missouri Historical Society would like to thank all of the board and committee members for their hard work and outstanding ideas.

Jewish Marker Advisory Board
Missouri Historical Society assembled ten community advisors, The Jewish Marker Advisory Board,to assist with the development of the project and determine the significant sites.

Batya Abramson-Goldstein
Jewish Community Relations Council

Philip Deitch
Chairman

Walter Ehrlich
Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Rabbi Randy Fleischer
St. Louis Rabbinical Association

Tami Goldman
Project Manager, Missouri Historical Society

Ronni Handelman
Jewish Community Relations Committee

Terry Hieken
Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library

Linda Koenig
Historical Tour Guide

Barbara Raznick
Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library

Richard W. Stein
Jewish Federation

Old North Marker Advisory Board
Missouri Historical Society assembled seven community advisors to assist with development of the website, to determine sites of significant interest, provide research support and suggestions, and to help with the historic markers program. Sincere recognition is due to those listed below for their wisdom and guidance with the Old North project. Special thanks to Sean Thomas and Jane Smith from the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group office for their support of History Happened Here.

Luis Agosto

Gloria Bratkowski

Carole Gates

Barbara Manzara

Claire Nowak-Boyd

Natasha Ramey

Eric Turner