Free July talks highlight St. Joseph history and landmarks

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph's Centennial Celebration Series announces two history programs which will showcase St. Joseph.

Lori McAlister will present the "Waylande Gregory - A Genius in Our Town, Ornamenting St. Joseph's City Hall and Missouri Theater."

The event takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27, at the East Hills Library Auditorium.

Waylande Gregory was a young artist in the 1920s. Gregory created the decorative plasterwork inside City Hall and the Missouri Theater before going on to become one of America's most well-known ceramic artists.

Sarah Elder is presenting the following day on "Prohibition & Progress - St. Joseph in the 1920s"

The presentation will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art during its free After Hours event.

Elder will focus on what life was like in St. Joseph during the Roaring Twenties, including the construction of City Hall and the Missouri Theater.