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About

Dr. Kris Smith

Kris Runberg Smith is professor emeritus of history at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She holds a doctorate in American Studies from Saint Louis University, a master’s degree in American history from Washington State University, and a bachelor’s degree in museum science from the University of Idaho. She has worked in historical institutions, including the Missouri, Ohio, and Kansas historical societies along with the City Museum. She has researched, written, and taught Saint Louis history along with more recent projects focused on the Pacific Northwest. Her most recent book is “”Wild Place: A History of Priest Lake, Idaho”” published by the Washington State University Press in 2015.

Available Presentations

Buster Brown at the 1904 World’s Fair: From the Funny Papers to Transforming Consumer Culture

At the St. Louis World’s Fair, cartoon celebrity Buster Brown became the spokesman for over 100 companies, including the Brown Shoe Company. Buster Brown’s transition from the funny pages to advertising trademarks gives insights into fundamental shifts in American consumer culture during its developmental years. Mostly remembered today as a children’s shoe logo, this presentation explores Buster Brown’s journey as a landmark comic strip character through his role in birthing today’s dominating consumer culture.

How to Create a Better City: St. Louis at the Turn of the 20th Century

By 1900, St. Louis, one of the largest cities in the country, looked bad, smelled bad, and treated its marginalized citizens badly. This presentation looks at how Progressive reformers organized to transform the city physically, socially, and politically at the turn of the century. It also considers what these century-old lessons might offer the city again in need of change.