Paul Schankman talks with author Nick Bunker about his book, Young Benjamin Franklin, offering readers a fascinating look at the youth of this founding father.

Festus High School Rocketry Club spends an inspiring day at the Space Museum in Bonne Terre with McDonnell Aircraft (NASA Mercury & Gemini Missions) Engineers.

After more than a century of decline, Henry Shaw’s museum is once again the Missouri Botanical Garden’s gallery, thanks to a multi-million-dollar restoration.

When the Gateway Arch National Park showed off its impressive new look on July 3, HEC was there. In a series of behind-the-scenes segments on hecmedia.org, we looked at the new museum and Arch Grounds as well as the the National Park Service’s plans for the park. That day was a long time coming. The […]

Renegade Tours explores a different side of St. Louis with fresh, original, off-beat tours.

HEC presents a tribute to everyone’s favorite theatre under the stars!

The Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation at Gateway Arch National Park gave us a full tour of the new museum, which was still under construction.

The Gateway Arch is about ready to show off its new look after massive renovations. We gained the behind the scenes look at those renovations.

At Washington University in St. Louis you’ll find a copy of the Declaration of Independence and a collection of Thomas Jefferson’s books.Both have some mystery.

In celebration of a century of amazing theater in Forest Park, the Missouri History Museum presents Muny Memories: 100 Seasons Onstage.

By: Tom Desch, Director Frank Lloyd Wright has been the subject of countless books, articles, and documentary films. Even the masterful documentarian Ken Burns produced a two-part production about the great architect. So what on Earth could I possibly have to add to the conversation about Frank Lloyd Wright? Well, I had never given it […]

Frankie Muse Freeman was a civil rights icon who served as the lead counsel in the landmark 1954 case Davis et al. v. the St. Louis Housing Authority, which ended legal racial discrimination in public housing. She was the rst woman appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and was later inducted into the […]

The Missouri Historical Society (MHS), which operates the Missouri History Museum, the Library & Research Center and the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, is rebranding itself. MHS, founded in 1866,  has been doing business as the Missouri History Museum for more than a decade. With the addition of the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum opening Nov. 3, […]

Living Proof is the latest exhibition from the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. Louis and features drawings from 19th century Japanese artists.

By Amanda Honigfort, Special Projects and Programs Producer What do you think when asked what and who St. Louis is? Do you by any chance think tech and startup hub? If so, let’s solidify that idea. If not, keep reading and see if I can change your mind. Where to begin? Well, there was that […]

World War I: Missouri and the Great War at Missouri History Museum explores the vital roles the men and women of St. Louis played in WWI.

  The Women’s March on Washington—and its international counterparts—was one of the most extensive and powerful demonstrations of social activism in modern history. And if what’s planned for International Women’s Day is any indicator, there are no signs of this type of action slowing down. On March 8 women around the world will remove themselves […]

By Kristy Houle, Educational Opportunities Coordinator Blues music traces its roots to the spirituals, work songs, and chants of African-American culture, and many of its best-known and earliest artists were African-American. As such, both Blues and Jazz music played an important role in the Civil Rights movement, which hit its peak in the 1960s. The […]

  Celebrate Black History Month with these twenty-eight ideas, one for each day of February, that recognize the heritage, accomplishments, and culture of African Americans in the United States. 1. Share with students “I, Too, Sing America” by poet Langston Hughes and have a discussion about the poem’s vocabulary, rhythm, and meaning. 2. Bake sweet […]

Interact with civil rights activists and Blues musicians to explore how the power of Blues music affected, and was affected by, America’s Civil Rights movement.

Interact with civil rights activists and Blues musicians to explore how the power of Blues music affected, and was affected by, America’s Civil Rights movement.

St. Louis is no stranger to invention. The ice cream cone, toasted ravioli, provel cheese, gooey butter cake – we’ve heard of the city’s most famous food inventions. But St. Louis, and the state we reside in, can claim many more – iced tea and 7up were both invented in St. Louis – as well […]

By Kristy Houle, Educational Opportunities Coordinator Inventions big and small can change the way we live. The majority of great inventions happen in the most unexpected of ways. Take, for example, the story of Tim Leatherman. As a young man, Tim always carried a simple Boy Scout pocketknife with him everywhere he went. One night […]

Better Family Life in St. Louis unveiled their “Art and Empowerment” mural, which is the largest Black History Mural in Missouri, painted by artist, Gonz Jove.

Take your study of America in war to the veterans who fought in them. Interact with veterans from World War II and from today’s world conflicts.

Sharon Smith, the Curator of Civic and Personal Identity at the Missouri History Museum, discusses the new Route 66 exhibit.

King of the Chitlin’ Circuit, Bobby Rush talks about the tough times touring the circuit during the 1950’s and how so much has changed for him today.

Life in 13th century Ireland, which was once a mystery, is about to be discovered in a first-of-its-kind archeological dig, documented exclusively by HEC-TV.

By Amber Hirsch, Communications Coordinator Women’s History Month stems from International Women’s Day, first held in New York in 1909. Now observed on March 8 in countries all over the world, it was originally called International Working Women’s Day to bring attention to women’s suffrage, and in remembrance of the 1908 International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ […]

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated […]

    Are you ready to learn? Black History Month begins in the U.S. Monday, and the observance, celebrating African-Americans’ achievements and contributions to the country, runs throughout February. Although some chapters of the national story are famous — such as the one centered on Jackie Robinson’s debut as the first black Major League Baseball player […]

  Don Wolff had many passions in life. From the pursuit of justice as one of St. Louis’ top defense attorneys, to fighting for peace for the disadvantaged as an advocate for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Urban League, Wolff never let any of his passions fall by the wayside. However, […]

  The Saint Louis Art Museum has outdone itself with a major gift to the St. Louis Gateway Arch for its 50th birthday. The gift is the museum’s new exhibit, St. Louis Modern, which is fitting, being that the Arch is of itself, St. Louis’ modernist signature. “Planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of […]

By Jim Suhr – Associated Press ST. LOUIS (AP) – A half century ago, workers gingerly hoisted into place the final of 142 stainless steel sections of the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch – the shimmering tribute to President Thomas Jefferson and pioneers for whom St. Louis served as a gateway to the West. The world’s tallest arch […]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Saint Louis University archaeologists are getting some high-tech help from drones and other gadgets. History professor Thomas Finan says drones, along with high-speed computer applications and mapping software, are combining with sensors that can collect multi-spectral image. For nearly 20 years, Finan has taken students on archaeological digs at a number […]

ST. LOUIS, MO – HEC-TV wants to thank and congratulate the nominees and nominations for this year’s Mid America Emmy Awards. We are honored to be the home of education, arts and culture in the St. Louis metro area. Congratulations to: Arts/Entertainment – Program Feature Segment Diggin’ the Smash: The Life of a Radio Icon Kara Savio […]

HEC-TV’s Sharon Stevens and the Bruno David Gallery are pleased to introduce you to a retrospective exhibition of paintings by Max Starkloff. In conjunction with the exhibition Max Starkloff: A Retrospective; Bruno David Gallery Publications will publish a catalog on the artist’s work with an exhibition history and bibliography and texts by Robert Duffy and Charles E. Claggett. In 1959, […]

  Gateway2change, branch of EdPlus, began following tragic events in Ferguson as a means to empower students to play a leadership role in improving the St. Louis community. The higher education channel (HEC-TV), in partnership with EdPlus, will provide multiple opportunities for students to be active social reform agents for issues related to race and diversity […]

Today is the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) and it’s a great day to thank a veteran. V-E Day is a public holiday celebrated May 8 that marks the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi German’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. In other words, it […]

  Harris-Stowe State University put on a number of events recently in honor of the inauguration of Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, the university’s 19th president. At the age of 37, Warmack is also the youngest serving president of a four-year university in the nation. One of the featured inaugural events was a symposium exploring the […]

(Previously posted April 7, 2014) DISCLAIMER: I am severely biased when it comes to the below enumerated statements. I take full responsibility in the subjectivity of my words. So, what I’m saying is: if you are not a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and you completely disagree with the following declarations, sorry ‘bout ‘ya. […]

What:   Induction Ceremonies of the St. Louis Walk of Fame Ceremonies are about 15 minutes.   A four-piece ragtime band will play prior. Who:     Christine Brewer – in person!  Apr. 29, 2015 6134 Delmar in The Loop Who:     Frankie Muse Freeman – in person! April 16, 2015 6138 Delmar in The Loop Who:     Lee Falk – widow+daughter flying in to accept! Apr. 28, 2015 6142 Delmar in The […]

An inter-generational conversation between African Americans from today’s generation and their elders who were forced to grew up during the Jim Crow era.

  CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Anthony H. Cordesman, the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), will speak at Southeast Missouri State University Feb. 11 as part of the 2014-2015 University Speakers Series. The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. […]

  St. Louis — The Higher Education Channel was at the Saint Louis Art Museum Tuesday to take a sneak peak of the current and future exhibits coming to St. Louis. Take a look at the exciting new works coming soon:   Thomas Cole’s Voyage of Life February 7–September 20, 2015 Gallery 336 Thomas Cole is widely […]

ST. LOUIS, MO — This fall, the Fabulous Fox Theatre will offer Ghost Tours which will explore, for the first time, the untold history of the many ghost sightings and unexplained occurrences reported at the Fabulous Fox during its 85-year history. Many St. Louisans have often wondered if any ghostly spirits roam the halls of the […]

FLORISSANT, MO – This year, 2014, marks the 800th anniversary of the birth of King Louis IX of France, also known as St. Louis and the namesake of our city now celebrating its own 250th anniversary.  In honor of the feast day of St. Louis, the archbishop of Reims, France, site of King Louis IX’s coronation, will visit the […]

ST. LOUIS – When Prince Louis de Bourbon walks into a room with his wife, Maria Margarita Vargas Santaella, both immediately capture the attention of the audience. Their thick French-Spanish accents are accompanied by warm smiles and outstretched hands, ready for a handshake or a slap on the back. “Where is your crown? Where are […]

  MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – The Missouri Aviation Historical Society is dedicated to honoring the aviators, designers, and entrepreneurs who have kept Missouri on the leading edge of aviation technology for over 150 years. We meet monthly at Creve Coeur (1H0) airport in Maryland Heights, MO. Whether you fly or drive in, please plan to […]

FLORISSANT, MO – With former Florissant City Council members Donald L. Bond and David L. Reynolds scheduled to have “Walk Through History” plaques dedicated in their honor in August, Mayor Thomas P. Schneider is pleased to announce that August has been designated “Florissant City Council Appreciation Month.” Mr. Bond and Mr. Reynolds, both now deceased, […]

FLORISSANT, MO­ – Residents of Florissant gathered in Old Town June 25 and at the James J. Eagan Civic Center June 26 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the city’s official name change to Florissant in 1939. Mayor Thomas P. Schneider, members of the City Council, Judge Dan Boyle and other representatives of the City of […]

  ST. LOUIS, MO. – The 2014-2015 Winston Churchill World War II Film Series is being presented at the Central Library at 1301 Olive Street in St. Louis, MO. All film showings are free to the public in the Central Library auditorium at 1:15 p.m. and are presented by the St. Louis Public Library and the […]

Love it or hate it, it’s Valentine’s Day. Today is the day to be in love and to show your love by sending flowers (did you forget, gentlemen? Get on it!), drowning yourself in chocolate and taking the opportunity to drink expensive wine and order things off a fancy French menu that you can’t even […]

In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision, “The Ongoing Impact of Gideon v. Wainwright” will be the focus of HEC-TV’s Constitution Day special, live from the Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse on Tuesday, September 17 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. “The decision in Gideon v. Wainwright literally changed the landscape […]

The September 11th Interfaith Memorial in Music: An Appreciation of Religious Diversity will air on HEC-TV (Charter 989, U-verse 99) at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the twelfth anniversary of the day that is never to be forgotten. The event was presented by Arts and Faith St. Louis on September 9, 2012 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. […]

By Alex Fees, Producer Missouri ranks third in the nation for the number of Civil War battles or skirmishes.  That’s number-3, behind such Civil War-activity hotbeds as Virginia and Tennessee. St. Louis was unique– a Union-controlled city located in a slave state where German abolitionists settled alongside people who had Confederate leanings? “The Civil War- […]

Special HEC-TV presentation connects the new with the old For the first time ever, Aaron Mermelstein has compiled his ‘It’s a St. Louis Thing’ stories into an hour-long special presentation. ‘New Media, Old Stories’ uniquely uses new media to tell the story behind some of St. Louis’ oldest places and things, including ghost signs, stand pipe water towers, the Casaloma Ballroom, and much more. […]

Jefferson Barracks played a role in the Civil War long before the Civil War began. That’s because so many Civil War generals… Union and Confederate… passed through there before they made the very important decision regarding which side they were going to fight for. For nearly ten years now, a small group of very dedicated people has been working to establish the Missouri Civil War Museum at Jefferson Barracks. They hope to open to the public this year.