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What’s Past is Prologue: A House Brimming with Stories

What’s Past is Prologue: A House Brimming with Stories, is the first exhibit to be displayed in the new gallery space of the Field House Museum. This exhibit pays homage to the historic house and the Field family’s contributions to American history. Large murals tell the stories of Roswell and Frances’ life in St. Louis, Roswell’s contributions to the Dred Scott case, Eugene Field’s work as a newspaper columnist and poet, and the history of the museum. Field family artifacts are displayed in new vitrines giving life and forging a connection to the main characters surrounding the house.

Roswell and Frances Field moved to the house at 634 South Broadway in 1850 when downtown St. Louis was just a matter of a few blocks stretching from the Courthouse to the riverfront. Following in the footsteps of his father, Roswell became a lawyer working mostly on land disputes in the area. However, when he became aware of the Scott Family’s plight, his inspiring contributions would take the case to the United States Supreme Court. Roswell’s narrative is one of perseverance, philosophical thinking, and heart that visitors won’t soon forget.

Eugene was born the year that the Field family moved into the historic house and was also destined to leave a mark on history. During his lifetime, Eugene became well known as a newspaper columnist and was one of the very first syndicated columnists in the United States. For his column, Sharps and Flats in the “Chicago Daily News”, Eugene would sometimes write poems, several of these became rather well known. After his passing, a collection of Eugene’s children’s poems was published and he was dubbed the Children’s Poet. Eugene’s contributions to the literary world made him famous and led to the house being saved as his childhood home.

Despite their impact on history, the stories of both Roswell Field and Eugene Field goes unnoticed in mainstream history. It has always been the goal of the museum to educate the public by telling their stories and honoring their legacy. What’s Past is Prologue: A House Brimming with Stories expands on this mission, not only with the stories of Roswell and Eugene, but also with family artifacts. Cufflinks, inkwells, letters, and law books are some of the artifacts that visitors can view in the exhibit.

What’s Past is Prologue: A House Brimming with Stories  is open now through Fall 2017. Admission to the museum includes access to this exhibit, the historic house, and the Eugene Field Library.