St. Louis Poetry Center Archive (MSS147), 1984-2012 | MSS Manuscripts

St. Louis Poetry Center

The St. Louis Poetry Center began in 1946 when Mrs. Fred Armstrong saw the need to establish "a facility for writers as a means for stimulating the writing of poetry." She became the Poetry Center's first Chairman, and meetings were held on Sundays at the downtown Public Library. Writers Tennessee Williams and William Inge were in attendance during the early days of the organization. From the downtown Public Library the Poetry Center moved to Bishop Tuttle Memorial in the renown Christ Church Cathedral, and from there, starting Sunday, October 20, 1974, the Center moved to Clayton Federal Savings Bank in Webster Groves, 11 E. Lockwood, where it held monthly workshops (on the second floor) .

The first concert was given at the Garden Club's (then) new building in Shaw's Garden, now Missouri Botanical Gardens, in 1960. In 1963, the St. Louis Poetry Center was incorporated (the Center's attorney at that time was a Mr. William Armstrong) with two Boards: Board of Directors for Center Administration, and Board of Chancellors, the latter of which has since been discontinued.

Among the long term members of the Center, are the successful poets and artists, Loy Ledbetter, Ed Boccia, Lucy Hazelton, Marlene Miller, and (the Late) Bev Hopkins. The St. Louis Poetry Center, the oldest poetry center of its kind West of the Mississippi River, holds its Work Shops on the third Sunday of each month, September through April. In May the Center holds its annual Poetry Concert.