Word spread quickly through the music community in St. Louis and then by social media across the nation that the Scott Joplin House at 2658 Delmar Boulevard in the city had been badly vandalized. Allegedly a man with mental health problems broke into the historic site on Sunday, October 2. Apparently, the break-in was discovered by a neighbor walking by who noticed glass and debris on the sidewalk and called police.
Tragically, the intruder destroyed furnishings, displays, and instruments before escaping the large police contingent dispatched to end the destruction. The suspect was soon apprehended nearby and is in custody pending a judicial determination of his condition.
Employees and volunteers are now in the process of determining the extent of he damage which is considerable and estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars. Because many ceramic items and windows were broken, the suspect was injured, and blood covered some of the damaged property. This will add to the difficulty of restoration. It is in a way fortunate that nothing in the historic site was original to Joplin or the property.
Richard Egan, musician, historian, and longtime supporter of the historic site’s Friends of Scott Joplin Association said that a neighborhood group first recognized the value of the property and purchased it for restoration in the 1980s. It was later owned by the Missouri Department of N
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!
The Syncopated Times is a monthly publication covering traditional jazz, ragtime and swing. We have the best historic content anywhere, and are the only American publication covering artists and bands currently playing Hot Jazz, Vintage Swing, or Ragtime. Our writers are legends themselves, paid to bring you the best coverage possible. Advertising will never be enough to keep these stories coming, we need your SUBSCRIPTION. Get unlimited access for $30 a year or $50 for two.
Not ready to pay for jazz yet? Register a Free Account for two weeks of unlimited access without nags or pop ups.
Already Registered? Log In
If you shouldn't be seeing this because you already logged in try refreshing the page.