This series of short shows will make you an expert on the place that started as Mound City and became the Gateway to the West. Explore the people and events that shaped history in the Midwest.
The U.S. Mexican War and the Spanish-American War, they were fought more than 50 years apart, but all these years later are still easily confused.
And the Missouri History Museum has rare documentation of both conflicts including a limited edition book of paintings of the Mexican War, a battle resulting from a dispute over how much of Texas would become part of the United States.
As for the Spanish American War, St. Louisan Frederick Leismann fought in both its theaters. First in Cuba and the second in the Philippines and years later told his firsthand accounts to his son in law who wrote them all down.
Only 500 copies were ever made of the book of Mexican War paintings. And of course only one copy exists of Frederick Leismann's personal account of the Spanish American. Leisman went on to become something of a chronicler himself serving as the Missouri General Assembly's Chief Stenographer.