Vivian Gibson and Gwen Moore

St. Louis County Library’s Black History Celebration Presents the 2026 Frankie Freeman Inspirational Lecture 

Vivian Gibson, Author of “The Last Children of Mill Creek” and Gwen Moore, Curator of the Missouri History Museum Exhibit “Mill Creek: Black Metropolis”
 

Presented in partnership with the Missouri Historical Society and Ameren
2026 Black History Month Presenting Sponsor

From its origin at the turn of the 20th century to its destruction in 1959 in the name of urban renewal, Mill Creek Valley was a center for Black life in St. Louis. Vivian Gibson grew up in Mill Creek Valley. Her moving memoir, “The Last Children of Mill Creek,” depicts the families, friends, shop owners, church ladies, teachers, and others who made Mill Creek into a warm, tight-knit African-American community. Gibson will be joined in conversation by Gwen Moore, curator of the Missouri History Museum's exhibition, "Mill Creek: Black Metropolis."

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Books available from EyeSeeMe.