Lecture Series
Lecture Series
We invite you to attend one of our three lectures by local historians.
Lectures will be held between 2-3 p.m. in the Stupp Center at Tower Grove Park. Admission is free, and these are open to the public. Lectures will have limited in-person capacity.
2026 Schedule
Upcoming Lectures
A Legacy of Inspiration: Bernice “Bunny” Gurney
Sunday, March 15, 2026 @ Stupp Center
2 PM
In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a thoughtful presentation celebrating the life and legacy of Bernice “Bunny” Gurney. Through stories, archival insight, and historical context, this program highlights Bunny’s remarkable contributions and the imprint she left on the community. Attendees will gain a meaningful look at her dedication, her influence, and the values that continue to shape Tower Grove Park today.
Speaker: Andrew Colligan
Andrew Colligan is a historian and longtime researcher with the Missouri Botanical Garden, where he specializes in uncovering the stories, people, and cultural forces that shaped the region’s natural and built landscapes. His work blends archival research with public interpretation, making complex history accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. At the Garden, Colligan contributes to historical documentation, exhibit development, and community education initiatives that highlight the institution’s deep roots in St. Louis. Known for his thoughtful approach and clear narrative style, he brings a keen eye for detail and a passion for local history to every presentation.
Frémont’s 100 Days: A Turning Point in Missouri’s Civil War Story
Thursday, June 4, 2026 @ Stupp Center
7 PM
Join us for an engaging look at Frémont’s Hundred Days, the brief but consequential period when General John C. Frémont led Union forces in Missouri. Wolk highlights Fremont’s major decisions, the controversies that followed, and the lasting impact this moment had on the state’s Civil War story.
Speaker: Gregory Wolk
Gregory Wolk is a retired civil trial lawyer and the author of Friend and Foe Alike: A Tour Guide to Missouri’s Civil War and John Frémont’s 100 Days: Clashes and Convictions in Civil War Missouri. He has written extensively about all facets of the Civil War in Missouri and is a regular contributor to Missouri Humanities Magazine. Wolk is the former executive director of Missouri’s Civil War Heritage Foundation and is currently the executive director of the National US Grant Trail Association, based at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.
Above image from: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/gregory-wolk-john-fremonts-100-days/
Echoes in Stone: Discovering St. Louis Mausoleums
Sunday, August 9, 2026 @ Stupp Center
2 PM
For over 100 families at Bellefontaine Cemetery, a final resting place is a mini-mansion made of granite. For the Lemps, which is the largest Mausoleum located at Bellefontaine. Modern conveniences are not considered for a mausoleum, much less a mausoleum built in 1902. In this presentation, we will look at the Lemp and other mini mansions in Bellefontaine and around St. Louis. We will explore the mausoleum style and exciting details of the lives of those who built these structures. We will also include a review of Henry Shaw’s Mausoleum, found on the grounds of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Speaker: Dan Fuller
Dan Fuller is the Bellefontaine Cemetery Chronicler. Since 1997, he has been active with his family history, tracing his own family back to the 1840’s in St. Louis and the 1640’s in the New World. His approach to family history includes learning about the time periods of his ancestors, which gives him particular insight into the everyday lives of people in historic St. Louis.
In addition to being active at Bellefontaine, Dan is a docent at Tower Grove House, the country house of Henry Shaw which in turn became the Missouri Botanical Garden. Additionally, Dan has been a docent for many House Tours in the Shaw, Lafayette, and Compton Heights neighborhoods. Dan is also an active member of the 1904 World’s Fair Society and a certified member of the Professional Tour Guide Association in St. Louis.