Historical September–October 2009 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The new book and DVD from the TIMES of SKINKERDEBALIVIERE, designed in collaboration with the Missouri History Museum, officially debuted on August 14, 2009.
The preview party at Joe Edwards’ new Moonrise Hotel drew approximately 150 guests to the Apollo 11 Room, a great meeting/banquet room overlooking a revitalized Delmar Loop.
The new book features essays by Jo Ann Vatcha about the 70’s and covers the Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood’s rich 100 year history.
It includes excerpts from ‘The Neighborhood,’ about the origins of the area, researched and written in 1973 by Gee Stuart, Kathy Harleman, and Sue Tepas, as well as articles and dozens of photographs from the 40 year archives of THE TIMES OF SKINKER-DEBALIVIERE, the ‘oldest neighborhood newspaper in St. Louis.’ According to Vatcha, “the goal was to recount the volatile early 70’s and to celebrate the people who forged the comeback of this neighborhood by making an important stand — AGAINST blockbusting and white flight and FOR diversity.” This makes Skinker-DeBaliviere stand out among urban success stories.
According to urban researchers, fewer than 5% of American neighborhoods are both successful and evenly integrated. Skinker-DeBaliviere has not only maintained its diversity, it has actually become more diverse over the last 40 years.
The book covers the neighborhood’s origins and landmarks and profiles prominent residents like former Mayor Vince Schoemehl, leaders of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council through the years, institutions like St. Roch’s Church, second and third generation residents like the community garden’s Andy Cross, and many more. Great events like the annual Mother’s Day Art Fair and House Tour and the venerable Dinner-Theatre are among the activities that built camaraderie among neighbors during this era.
The book is accompanied by a DVD, produced by Marjorie Weir and Jo Ann Vatcha, with original video, photographs and interviews conducted by Jody Sowell, oral historian. Angie Dietz, Digital Assets Archivist of the Missouri History Museum, spearheaded the project through the museum’s outreach to neighborhoods.
This was a prototype project for MHM, in which the museum provided design and production services while the neighborhood provided content (written material, interviews, still and moving images). Vatcha and Weir worked with Dietz and Sowell for more than a year on the project, which also coordinated with the 2008 Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood Centennial Celebration, garnering many contributions of materials, photographs, memories and funds from current and former neighborhood residents.
The Missouri History Museum plans to continue this kind of work with other local communities – ‘helping neighborhoods, individuals, families, and organizations, capture and celebrate their own individual histories and stories. Robert R. Archibald, PhD, President of the Missouri History Museum, spoke at the party and stated that, “This is an important book about a special neighborhood.
The Missouri History Museum has witnessed the many changes that this area has experienced. Telling the story of this community has significance for the whole of St. Louis and beyond.
We applaud the efforts and the accomplishments and are pleased to be part of this project.” Jo Ann Vatcha and collaborator Marj Weir thanked the MOHIS staff, Angie Dietz and Jody Sowell, and all those who contributed to this tremendous effort, with a special thanks to Joe Edwards for hosting the party and contributing so much to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood. Kudos to Chef Maurice Reed II for the great hors d’oeuvres and to Jennifer Jones of the Moonrise staff for the flawless arrangements. Book sales at the party were so brisk, with several neighbors purchasing multiple copies, that bookseller extraordinaire Lana Stein sold out and had to create a waiting list.
An additional order has been placed and should be available by the time this issue of the TIMES is printed.
To order at the current price of $38.95, contact Marj Weir at weir.marj@charter.net or Jo Ann Vatcha at jvatcha@gmail.com. For information about ordering online, or to view the complete index of names mentioned in the book or DVD, go to http:// centennial.citywestend.org.
The party, and the book and DVD, have been receiving many positive comments. And as Andy Cross said of the party, “It seemed the whole book was there!”
Original photograph caption
Jo Ann Vatcha and Marj Weir with Dr. Robert Archibald, President of the Missouri History Museum.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2009.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2009_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
