Visitors enjoy a tour of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at UMSL. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch named the Mercantile the “Best Place for a History Lesson” in St. Louis. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis is once again well represented in a new list of St. Louis’ best.

Highlighted in this year’s Go! List, composed of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch critics’ and readers’ picks for the best in St. Louis, were the following with connections to UMSL:

• Critics’ pick for Best Place for a History Lesson – St. Louis Mercantile Library
• Critics’ pick for Most Accomplished Chamber Music Ensemble – Arianna String Quartet
• Readers’ pick for Most Versatile Theater Space – The Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center
• Critics’ pick for Best Local Singer – Brian Owens, BM 2008
• Critics’ pick for Best Restaurant for Impressing Out-of-Towners – Elaia (owned by Ben Poremba, BA philosophy 2003)
• Critics’ pick for Best Kids’ Attraction – The Magic House (President Beth Fitzgerald, BSEd 1977)
• Readers’ pick for Best Doughnuts – Strange Donuts (co-owned by Jason Bockman, BSBA 2007, and Corey Smale, BA communication 2008)
• Readers’ pick for Best Theater Troupe for Musicals – The Muny (President and CEO Denny Reagan, BSBA 1974)
• Readers’ pick for Best Theater Troupe for Young Audiences and Most Innovative Arts Outreach – COCA (Executive Director Kelly Lamb Pollock, MPPA 2003)
• Readers’ pick for Most Creative Choral Ensemble – Ambassadors of Harmony (led by Jim Henry, chair of the Department of Music)

“The St. Louis Mercantile Library on the campus of the University of Missouri–St. Louis is home to one of the largest collections of historic photos and manuscripts in the state,” noted Jody Mitori, assistant managing editor/features for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. About visits to the Mercantile, she added, “You may find yourself learning about model trains, George Caleb Bingham prints or the history of presidential whistle stop tours.”

Of the Arianna String Quartet, artists-in-residence at UMSL, classical music critic Sarah Bryan Miller pointed out they perform throughout the world, but the best place to hear them is at UMSL or elsewhere in their hometown.

“They’re an important part of the St. Louis cultural scene, and one that deserves greater prominence,” she said.

View the full list at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website.