The JNEM Archives is charged to preserve records and manuscripts that document the administrative history of the park and its associated themes. As the corporate memory of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Archives also makes its resources available to the public in accordance with objectives outlined in the park's Statement for Management:
To enhance and enlarge public understanding and appreciation of the significance of 19th century American westward expansion and of the related individual significance of the Old Courthouse, the Arch, and of the early development of St. Louis.
The JNEM Archives is open to the public for research. Materials may not be checked out, but may be used in the library reading room. Please see our research procedures.
The JNEM Archives contains 39 individual collections. Most of the collections contain material relating to the development and administration of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial site, including the construction of the Gateway Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion. Other collections contain materials that relate to the park's main theme of St. Louis's role in the settlement of the American West. See a list of the processed collections.
The JNEM Archives contains many visual images of the park and other subjects. These visual images are being cataloged into a database, IRIS (Image Retrieval and Information System). This database may be searched at the JNEM library reading room. Get more information on visual images.
The JNEM Archives can provide photographic reproductions of images in its collections. Please see our price list for prices.
The Archives is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed on federal holidays. You can contact Archivist Jennifer Clark at 11 North Fourth Street St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: 314-655-1600 Fax: 314-655-1652
If you are interested in volunteering in the JNEM Archives, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Kevin Abney at (voice) 314-655-1600. The Archivist is also interested in working with students to develop internships. Learn more about volunteering and internships.
