By Cole Wimberly
The 100th anniversary Scopes Monkey Trial was held in the Bryan Memorial Park for two performances at the band stage on Saturday, July 12th.
Both performances drew good crowds, and organizers are pleased with those who wanted to know more about the trial that pitted two Salem men against each other in what some people call “The Trial of the Century”. The court case discussed if evolution should be taught in schools or if it goes against common Christian beliefs.
The defendant, SCHS grad John Scopes was accused of violating the Butler Act, which prohibited teaching evolution in public schools by prosecutor, William Jennings Bryan, who was also from Salem. The trial became a national spectacle, pitting the forces of religious beliefs against those of scientific views and academic freedom. Although evolution is taught in schools in today’s time, Scopes was found guilty.
Jim Koehler has been working on this project for two years. He’s also on the Salem Tourism Commission, which is involved with the Bryan Birthplace as well as the city museum.
“Well, I hope that it will show that William Jennings Bryan was really a great statesman, which we don’t really have today. I mean running for president at the age of 36, just barely even old enough to be president, and running three times and losing. Bryan was the most influential loser of the United States.”
Michelle Barbee assisted in finding actors for the show, and rehearsals began on the first of May and continued all the way through the past week.
Even though there was rain for the morning performance, the trial had roughly 250 people in attendance, which Koehler said was one of the biggest crowds to be a part of an event in the park. The afternoon show attracted around 100 spectators. A large tent was put up over the stage which kept the performers dry and out of the sun. Before the trial began, live music was played honoring Bryan.
There were food trucks, vintage cars, and a pavilion set up with free hand held fans in case of heat.
