Historic Trials

The Old Courthouse was the site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. It was also where Virginia Minor's case for a woman's right to vote came to trial in the 1870s.

Follow these links to learn about the Dred Scott trial and the Virginia Minor trial from Bob Moore, park Historian.

Dred Scott
Virginia Minor

 

Citizenship and the Struggle for the Right to Vote

The following materials had been designed to:

• Prepare students to become active citizens by introducing them to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
• Prepare students to become active citizens by introducing them to the history and struggles of establishing voting rights in the United States.
• To encourage students to use critical thinking skills in becoming active citizens in a democracy.

The following materials are designed with a wide variety of interest levels in mind. The three sections, Introduction, Background and Trial, and Follow-Up Activities were developed as a complete program. They may, however be utilized independently, based on needs and previous knowledge. Each piece of text activity offers students an opportunity to reflect and engage in their own interests and become active citizens. They may serve as a launching point for larger project-based learning.

For more information about scheduling an on-site mock trial program by a national park ranger, please send an e-mail to the Education Director. While the Old Courthouse is closed for renovations there will be no on-site mock trials.

 

Introduction Struggle for the Right to Vote