From Missouri to West Point: Native Sons of Upper Louisiana

The program traces the selection of the five young men, all natives of Upper Louisiana, who became graduates of West Point in the classes of 1806 and 1808. It relates the stories of their influential fathers and their connections to Lewis & Clark to their appointments to the fledgling military school at West Point. The program uses surviving letters of the period to trace the young men through their personal lives, and their varied military careers. The cultural and familial ties found in early Missouri are highlighted in the program, and provide a glimpse into the transitional period between French colonial culture and the new American culture arriving in Upper Louisiana.

“Avec M. Audubon”: Following the Trail of the Rozier Connection

This program explores the history of the relationship between the famous naturalist, John James Audubon and his French business partner, Ferdinand Rozier. Specifically, the pair ended their trading enterprise by dissolving their business partnership in the Spring of 1811 in Ste. Genevieve. Rozier remained in Ste. Genevieve to organize and develop a regional commercial enterprise, while Audubon returned to his family in Kentucky and eventually found fame and success as an artist. Specifically, this program traces the partners in years following their separation in 1811 using family letters, journals, and artifacts. Specifically, the program considers the history and possible suggestion that of a pair of 19th century portraits of Rozier and his wife, Constance were created by Audubon, himself.