The historic Lincoln School will host a special presentation on February 28 featuring Dr. Christopher Lehman of St. Cloud, Minnesota. The program, scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m., will explore the often‑overlooked connections between slavery in Minnesota and its ties to Missouri.
Dr. Lehman will discuss how Minnesota—first a federal territory and later a free state—was nevertheless shaped by the presence of enslavers, many of whom came from Missouri. His talk will highlight the broader economic, political, and legal impacts of slavery on the region.
Key points will include the implications of the Dred Scott freedom lawsuit, which briefly legalized slavery in Minnesota, and the role of St. Louis as a major slave market linking the Deep South to Minnesota via the Mississippi River.
The event aims to deepen public understanding of the intertwined histories of Missouri and Minnesota through the lens of slavery.
The program will take place at Lincoln School 1400 East Pony Thomas in West Plains.
