11 North 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
USA
St. Louis, MO: 1863 Christmas Ball at the Old Courthouse
The Independent Silver Band, on the balcony, with ballgoers in the rotunda at the 1862 Christmas Ball in the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis, MO, in December 2012.
The National Park Service will host an 1863 Christmas ball in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, December 21, with dances called by Deborah Hyland and music provided by the Independent Silver Band. This completely free event is open to the reenactor community and the general public and will begin with dance instruction by Miss Hyland from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with participants in street clothes. The period ball will begin at 12:00 noon and continue until 4:00 p.m. Period dress is encouraged but not required. Remember that Martial Law has been declared in St. Louis. Copperheads are welcome, but Confederates in uniform may find themselves lodged in the Gratiot Street Prison. The Old Courthouse will be decorated for the Christmas holidays. The Park Service would really like to fill up the rotunda with people for this ball.
Parking is on your own. There are several parking garages near the Courthouse or parking on the street. Note that Downtown on-street parking meters are no longer free on weekends.
If you would like to attend the ball or if you want more information, please contact ranger Doug Harding at Douglas_Harding@nps.gov.