Casey's Patch Collection

Vulcan Park and Museum

In March, I made a rare trip home to the South, and who would have thought I'd find a patch anywhere inside a 4 hour radius of where I grew up that I did not already have? I actually picked up not one, but two patches in just a matter of a few hours! Pretty awesome if you ask me. I guess I'll give some of the credit to my sister Carly, who now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. On the day we flew in, I had the opportunity to see her new home for the first time, and then she made sure to take me to some of the most significant sites in the city.

Our first stop was Vulcan Park and Museum. Did you know that Birmingham boasts the largest cast-iron statue in the world? Sculpted by Guiseppe Moretti, Vulcan was commissioned by the city of Birmingham to represent the city at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Why a huge cast-iron sculpture of a Roman God, you ask? By the beginning of the 20th century, Birmingham came to be known as the "Magic City," attracting a large number of migrant workers to harness its rich natural resources: iron, coal and limestone. Named for the Roman god of fire and forge, Vulcan signifies the history of Birmingham's iron and coal industry.

Vulcan stands at 56 feet tall on a 124 foot pedestal and weighs 101,200 pounds. You can take an elevator to the top of the pedestal or climb the stairs to get a great view of the city of Birmingham. If you ever visit the park, don't miss the museum center, which has some great exhibits and a very friendly staff. 

Thanks, Carly, for taking me to see this great monument to American industry! (Now that I've given you a shout-out on my blog, maybe you'll start following me?) ;-)

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri is operated by the National Park Service and comprises the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and the Old Courthouse. This is yet another historic site for which I could deserve two patches - I've been here once with my parents and sister and another time with my dad on a Teaching American History Teachers grant summer excursion.  

The idea for the Gateway Arch was conceived in 1948 by architect Eero Saarinen, and was constructed in 1963.  It stands at 630 feet and serves as a monument to the spirit of the western pioneers.  You can actually take an elevator (or walk the stairs) all the way to the top, and on windy days it will sway up to 18 inches!

Below the arch underground is the Museum of Westward Expansion.  My dad always made sure that we were kept occupied on the bus to and from historic sites, so on our way to St. Louis he had us watch Ken Burns' EXCELLENT PBS documentary, Lewis and Clark.  The museum contains many artifacts and has some very well developed exhibits that tell the story of the Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.

On the patch you'll see in the center what is known as "The Old Courthouse."  In 1847, Dred Scott filed suit against his slave owner for his freedom after having lived with his master on free soil for almost nine years.  The first two cases took place at the Old Court House, and in 1857 Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney finally dismissed the case, arguing that black people, both free and slave, had no rights under the Constitution because they were of "inferior order."  This ultimately led to abolitionists in the North becoming more active and vigilant in their cause.  Frederick Douglass knew after the decision was made that slavery had to end as soon as possible, for his sake and for every free and enslaved African American in the United States.