The Pageant and Masque of St. Louis was a four-night event that featured a variety of historical reenactments, cultural performances, and other activities. It was held in Forest Park, a large public park in St. Louis, Missouri, from May 28th to May 31st, 1914.
The event was organized by the St. Louis Historical Society and was intended to be a major attraction for visitors to the city. It featured a variety of performances and displays representing the diverse communities of St. Louis, including Native American, French, Spanish, and African-American cultural groups.
In addition to these cultural performances, the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis included historical reenactments of important events in the city’s history, such as the founding of St. Louis and the Lewis and Clark expedition. There were also a variety of other activities, such as parades, concerts, and games, that were held throughout the event.
It is not clear how many people attended the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, but it is likely that it was a popular and well-attended event. It was one of several large-scale public events that were held in St. Louis around this time as the city sought to attract visitors and boost its reputation as a cultural and historical destination.
#1 William E. Mack depicting ‘Africa’, Clarence E. Fleming as the ‘Oceanic Islands’ and Frank Ferguson as ‘Australia’ in the Masque, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis
#2 ‘Flower of Love’ over ‘Gold’ and his minions, 1914
#3 ‘Gold’ and the ‘Pioneer’ in combat; St. Louis above, 1914
#4 Mrs. George Gellhorn, portrays ‘Imagination’, an allegorical figure in the Masque, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis.
#5 In a scene in the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, Robert de La Salle, and his men salute King Louis XIV of France and pledge to go on to claim the Mississippi Valley for France.
#6 Actresses portraying the allegorical figures of ‘Poverty’ and ‘Imagination’ perform in the Masque, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, May 28-31, 1914.
#7 In the Masque, an actor, John L. Tierney, depicting ‘St. Louis’ — Louis IX of France, the patron saint of the city, descends on the stage of Pageant and Masque of St. Louis to meet the World Adventurers
#8 A group of volunteers portray Indians in the Pageant of St. Louis,1914
#9 A Maya rower in the Masque of St. Louis.1914
#10 Men, women and children in what may be a rehearsal are on the stage of the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis. Joseph Lindon Smith, director of the Masque, appears in shirt sleeves to the right of the photograph. More than 7500 St. Louis citizens volunteered for the event in Forest Park
#11 A view of the audience and stage, 1914
#12 A view of the stage of the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis seen from the seats, 1914
#13 An actor in 19th century costume performed in the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, the drama depicting the history of St. Louis.
#14 A volunteer actor rides to the stage for performance in the medieval scene in the Masque, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, 1914
#15 Actor portraying a pioneer in the Pageant, 1914
#16 Actor portraying Indian, 1914
#17 Actor portraying Maya chief in the Masque of St. Louis, 1914
#18 Actors are costumed for the ball celebrating the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to St. Louis in the Pageant, 1914
#19 Actors in costume as French troops in the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, pose off stage, 1914
#20 A group of volunteer actors in dress of American Indians stand on the stage of the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, 1914
#21 Large group of volunteer actors in costume pose for photograph, 1914
#22 A young flower girl girl turns to look at the women in 19th century costume for the Marquis de Lafayette’s ball in 1825 St. Louis, a scene in the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis.
#23 Actors in the Pageant, pose in Native American costume, 1914
#24 Men, women, boys and girls costumed as Maya Indians line up on the set, a plaza before the ancient temple of Maya civilization, in a scene from the Masque, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, 1914
#25 In a side view of the stage of the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, actors perform a scene in the Pageant of St. Louis, 1914
#26 Actors playing American Indian women, 1914
#27 Actors portray citizens of early St. Louis in the Pageant of St. Louis, 1914
#28 Actors portray French soldiers, 1914
#29 Actors portraying Indian, 1914
#30 Actors portraying Indians offstage, 1914
#31 American pioneers, General Harris, Captain Stoddard, Pierre Chouteau and leading citizens in conference with Sauk and Fox Indians, Pageant, 1914
#32 In a scene in the Pageant, Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, an ox-drawn wagon train with American settlers arrives in St. Louis in the early 19th century.
As the stage directions read, 'The old French type of dress is rapidly disappearing, the various American types taking its place; some of these are hunters, some farmers, and some gentlemen in black or plum colored coats. Many wagons pass, each with its troop of settlers, many of them walking beside or behind the vehicle
