The Commune of Saint-Louis in 1877

Join the Field House Museum on Friday, July 22 at 1 p.m. for an author talk that explores a little-known piece of St. Louis labor history with author Mark Kruger and his book, The St. Louis Commune. of 1877: Communism in the Heartland. Kruger will share with visitors the fascinating story of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, during which St. Louis had political control seized by workers and was ruled by a communist party. Taking place on the occasion of the 145th anniversary of the Commune of Saint-Louis, this author’s conference is not to be missed.

This program is free with limited availability in person and on Zoom. Reservations must be made in advance through Eventbrite, by calling the Museum at 314-421-4689 or by emailing info@fieldhousemuseum.org. Books can be purchased in advance for signing through the Field House Museum’s online store.

About the speaker

Mark Kruger is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Washington University School of Law, and holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Saint Louis University. Mark has practiced law for over 30 years and served as director of SLU’s Criminal Justice Organization program. He has published a number of articles in academic journals and a book, Individualism and Community in America. Mark is currently working on a book about the 1969 public housing rent strike in St. Louis.

About the book

In The St. Louis Commune of 1877, Mark Kruger tells the fascinating story of how working people gained political control in St. Louis, Missouri. Kruger examines the roots of the Commune of Saint-Louis – focusing on the German Revolution of 1848, the Paris Commune and the First International. Not only was 1877 the first instance of a general strike in US history; it was also the first time that the workers had taken control of a major American city and the first time that a communist party had ruled a city.