11 North 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
USA
St. Louis, MO: 1858 Washington’s Birthday Ball at the Old Courthouse
Dancers perform the Grand March at the 2011 Old Courthouse Christmas Ball.
The National Park Service will host an 1858 Washington’s Birthday ball in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, February 24, 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 a.m. to 11 a.m., with participants in street clothes. The period ball will begin at 12 noon and continue until 4 p.m. Period dress is encouraged but not required. Remember that secession is still only a threat, so Federal and local militia uniforms are appropriate, but other gray uniforms may prompt quizzical looks. The Park Service would really like to fill up the rotunda with people for this ball.
Free parking is offered for all Living History Volunteers in proper period dress at the Kiener West Parking Garage on Pine Street between 6th and 7th Street. Bring your parking ticket with you, and a ranger will add a sticker that will pay for your parking. Otherwise, parking meters are available on the street, but you must add money every two hours.