Florissant, Missouri — This past weekend, the historic Old St. Ferdinand Shrine School served as the backdrop for a truly premiere historical event in the St. Louis region, as the Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance joined forces with several distinguished organizations to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Bringing together interested community members, the event stood as a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration. Partners included Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, Historic Florissant, the Florissant Valley Historical Society, The Historical Game Company and the Reverend John Clark Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, whose contributions—from promotion, to coordination to hospitality—helped create an engaging and memorable experience for all in attendance.
At the heart of the program was a compelling exploration of a lesser-known but critically important chapter of the American War of Independence: the role of Spanish support along the Mississippi River. This regional perspective shed new light on the broader international dimensions of the conflict, reminding attendees that American independence was not achieved in isolation, but through strategic alliances and global cooperation.
Featured speaker was author Steven Kling Jr discussing his newest book, “An Underappreciated Victory” Bernardo de Gálvez’s Mississippi River Campaign Against the British in 1779. brought this story vividly to life, drawing from his research and writing to illuminate Spain’s vital contributions—particularly in securing the Mississippi Valley and challenging British control in the western theater. His presentation underscored how the actions of Spanish forces and local allies in this region directly influenced the outcome of the war.
The venue of the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine Schoolhouse in Old Town Florissant added an additional layer of resonance. Hosting the event within the walls of a historic schoolhouse reinforced the educational mission shared by all participating organizations: to preserve, interpret, and communicate history in ways that are both meaningful and accessible.
Kevin Fitzpatrick of the Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance opened the event by welcoming attendees and acknowledging the many contributors who made the day possible, with special recognition given to Dr. Gina Siebe of Historic Florissant for her leadership in bringing together the event’s many moving parts.
As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial, events like this demonstrate the strength of the St. Louis historical community and its commitment to telling a fuller, more inclusive story of the nation’s founding. By highlighting Spanish involvement and regional history, this program offered attendees a deeper understanding of the diverse forces that shaped American independence.
This gathering was not only a celebration but also a call to continued engagement—encouraging the public to connect with local historical organizations and explore the rich, often overlooked stories that define our shared past.
For those who attended, the event was a reminder that history is most powerful when it is experienced together—and that St. Louis stands at the forefront of bringing these stories to life.
A Sincere Thank You to. Stephen Kling Jr who presented the wonderful information contained in his newly released book and to Dr. Gina Siebe of Historic Florissant, Inc for her crucial role in pulling the event together. We also offer our Thanks to The Revered John Clark Chapter of the DAR for their help and refreshments, The Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shire for providing us the use of this historic school house, the Florissant Valley Historical Society for promotional support and to Jay Clendenny and the other attending members of Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis for their assistance throughout the program.
