Field Trips
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Common Core Standards:
- 3.L.1, 4.L.1, 4.L.5, 3.RF.3, 3.RF.3.a, 3.RF.3.b, 3.RF.3.c, 3.RF.4, 3.RF.4.a, 3.RF.4.b, 3.RF.4.c, 4.RF.3, 4.RF.3.a, 4.RF.4, 4.RF.4.a, 4.RF.4.b, 4.RF.4.c, 5.RF.3, 5.RF.3.a, 5.RF.4, 5.RF.4.a, 5.RF.4.b, 5.RF.4.c, 3.SL.1, 3.SL.1.a, 3.SL.1.b, 3.SL.1.c, 3.SL.1.d, 3.SL.2, 3.SL.3, 4.SL.1, 4.SL.1.a, 4.SL.1.b, 4.SL.1.c, 4.SL.1.d, 4.SL.2, 4.SL.3, 5.SL.1, 5.SL.1.a, 5.SL.1.b, 5.SL.1.c, 5.SL.1.d, 5.SL.2, 5.SL.3
- State Standards:
- MO Learning Standards for Social Studies (k-5): 1B, 1D, 1E, 1F, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3aB, 3aC, 3aE, 6B, 6C, 6E, 7A. IL Learning Standards: SS.CV.2.3, SS.CV.1.4, SS.CV.2.5, SS.CV.4.3, SS.CV.3.4, SS.IS.3.3.5, SS.H.2.3, SS.H.1.4, SS.H.2.5, SS.H.3.5.
October 15, 1872, Virginia Minor attempted to become a registered voter in St. Louis County so that she could vote in that year's presidential election. Reese Happersett, the election official on duty that day, refused to Minor's registration on the grounds that as a woman, she could not vote in elections. Minor sued Happersett and argued that her rights as a U.S. citizen were violated. The case began in 1873 at the St. Louis Courthouse (the Old Courthouse today) and was eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1875.
Whose argument was more convincing? In this mock trial, students will reenact the 1873 trial, listen to both sides, and reach their own verdict in the case.
Please note that the Old Courthose is currently closed for renovations and mock trials are taking place at the Education room inside the Gateway Arch Visitor Center until further notice. Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance. Maximum group size is 30 students (one adult per 10 students). Please allow 50 minutes for this program and note that all programs begin at half past the hour.
To make reservations, call 314-923-3048.
Last updated: January 5, 2023