October 29, 2008
New Research on African American Heritage of St. LouisST. LOUIS, Mo. – Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Superintendent Tom Bradley has announced the creation of a variety of databases now accessible on the park’s website that will be of interest to historians and genealogists nationwide. For the last several years National Park Service historians and interns have assembled research from St. Louis court documents and newspapers into an on-line exhibit entitled “African-American Life in St. Louis, 1804-1865,” which will be available at www.nps.gov/jeff beginning Monday, October 27, 2008.
October 21, 2008
NPS Announces Preferred
The General Management Plan Alternative #3 for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is the preferred plan choice for the park.
September 22, 2008
National Public Lands Day
In Honor of National Public Lands Day entrance fees will be waived at the Gateway Arch
September 05, 2008
Naturalization and Constitution Day at the Historic Old Courthouse
Naturalization of new citizens to commemorate Constitution Day at the Historic Old Courthouse.
August 21, 2008
National Park Service Unveils New Children's Website
The Kids Zone, a new addition to the National Park Service's website, http:/www.nps.gov is designed to connect children with the country's 391 National Park sites.
August 21, 2008
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Winter Hours
Winter hours start on Tuesday September 2, 2008 for the Gateway Arch.
August 01, 2008
PaintAmerica
PaintAmerica Artwork Showcases the National Park Service at the Old Courthouse
June 23, 2008
Naturalization of New Citizens on Independence Day
In commemoration of Independence Day there will be a Naturalization Ceremony of New Citizens at the Historic Old Courthouse in St. Louis.
June 10, 2008
Naturalization of New Citizens to Commemorate Patriotic Events at the Historic Old Courthouse
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, in cooperation with the National Park Service at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will commemorate Flag Day with a public nauralization ceremony at the Historic Old Courthouse on Friday, June 13, 2008.
June 05, 2008
Raise Garrison Flag at Historic Old Courthouse
National Park Service to raise Garrison flag inside Historic Old Court House
May 29, 2008
Public Meetings Announced for Memorial Planning Effort
Two open house style meetings will be held in St. Louis on June 25 and July 1 to give interested individuals and organizations an opportunity to learn about and comment on preliminary alternatives for the future management of the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). The existing management plan has been in place since 1964 and is in need of updating; therefore, a General Management Plan (GMP) to help guide National Park Service (NPS) management of the memorial for the next 15-20 years will be developed from the preliminary alternatives over the course of the next 18-24 months.
May 12, 2008
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Expanded Hours For Summer 2008
Starting Saturday May 24th, through Labor Day, September 1st, the Gateway Arch will operate on its summer schedule with the visitor center and museum open from 8:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m., and the trams to the top of the Arch running from 8:15 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. Visitors wanting to avoid the busy late-morning and mid-day periods should take advantage of the less crowded evening hours to visit the Gateway Arch. To purchase advance tickets visit www.gatewayarch.com on the internet.
April 29, 2008
Centennial Projects Coming to the Gateway Arch
Today it was announced that Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will receive National Park Service Centennial funding to match private donations to sponsor ParkPalooza, a two-day interactive outdoor event on the grounds of the Gateway Arch. Additional good news for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is that a second project will also receive funding, for the design and installation of a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) system to help operate the Gateway Arch trams.
April 18, 2008
Junior Ranger Day 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008, is Junior Ranger Day 2008. Visit the Gateway Arch and earn a commemorative Junior Ranger badge.
March 26, 2008
Playing Race: Globalization & the Arts
Hazelwood East High School presents a multicultural celebration wiht an edge:the changing role of race and culture in our time of globalization.
March 14, 2008
National Park Service Re-Opens Gateway Arch Tram
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Acting Superintendent Frank Mares today announced the re-opening of the tram in the south leg og the Gateway Arch on Friday, March 14.
February 28, 2008
Actor and Playwright Paxton Williams Presents "Listening to the Still Small Voice: The Story of George Washington Carver" at the Historic Old Courthouse
“Listening to the Still Small Voice: The Story of George Washington Carver” Presented Friday, February 29, 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM by actor and playwright Paxton Williams, a graduate of Dr. Carver’s alma mater, Iowa State University.
February 25, 2008
Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision
On March 6, 1857, the United States Supreme Court handed down its historic decision. The National Park Service will commemorate this historic event with a series of presentations at the Historic Old Courthouse, the site of Scott’s first two trials.
February 25, 2008
Lewis and Clark Exhibit Looks at the Aftermath
Entitled Lewis and Clark: Remaking the American West, 1808-1838 the exhibit takes a look at an aspect of the explorers' lives not usually discussed: their role in American policies, laws and commerce to St. Louis and the trans-Mississippi West, including the controversial removal of Indian tribes from their homelands.
February 22, 2008
Junior Ranger Essay Contest
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial announces the National Park Foundation’s 2008 Junior Ranger essay contest. This year’s winner will receive an all expense paid family vacation to one of the country’s most remarkable national parks and a starring role in an electronic field trip seen by millions of school children across the country.
February 05, 2008
Storyteller Loretta Washington to Portray the Lives of Slaves at the Historic Old Courthouse
“Where Would We Be Without Thee” – Loretta Washington, a local storyteller and educator, will portray several slave women, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and others, focusing on the hardships, struggles and challenges they encountered in their everyday lives and how they worked to overcome them.
February 05, 2008
Storyteller Carole Shelton to Portray Seamstress Elizabeth Keckley at the Historic Old Courthouse
Elizabeth Keckley – Carole Shelton, master storyteller and educator, will share the story of this enslaved St. Louisan and talented seamstress who purchased her freedom and her son’s, and later became Mary Todd Lincoln’s trusted friend and dressmaker.
January 03, 2008
African American Heritage
Celebrating African American Heritage Month at the Gateway Arch and Historic Old Courthouse
December 12, 2007
Holiday in the National Parks Celebrated at the White House
An ornament representing St. Louis and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, is prominently displayed on this year’s official White House Christmas Tree. The tree is the centerpiece of elaborate decorations celebrating the theme of “Holiday in the National Parks.”
November 21, 2007
19th Century Holiday Traditions at the Historic Old Courthouse
Annual 19th Century Holiday Traditions featuring period music and activities held in the decorated Historic Old Courthouse.
November 19, 2007
Special Hours at the Gateway Arch November 23rd and 24th
The Gateway Arch will extend hours over Thanksgiving weekend and be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 23rd and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 24th.
September 27, 2007
Honoring Public Lands Day
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Suspends Entrance Fees in Honor of Public Lands Day.
August 13, 2007
Gateway Arch Tram To Undergo Review
Gateway Arch to remain open throughout safety analysis
July 24, 2007
Update on Tram Ride
Cables to be replaced in south leg of the Arch
July 23, 2007
Gateway Arch Tram Malfunction and Power Outage
On Saturday, July 21 at approximately 8:40PM one of nine cables that hoist the south tram broke. The specific cause of the break is still under investigation. As the loose cable fell, it came into contact with the charged tram rail and other electrical components causing a short circuit. The short circuit ultimately caused a fuse to blow in the main electrical switchgear and power to both trams went out. The St. Louis Fire Department evacuated visitors in the south tram which at the time of the power outage had stopped near the lower loading zone. Approximately 40 visitors were walked down from the observation deck to a service elevator at the 300 foot level and then brought to the south lower load zone. Visitors in the north tram remained stalled above the 300 foot level until power was restored at approximately 11PM at which time they were brought down and unloaded. Empty trams were then sent up to the observation deck to bring the remaining visitors down. All tram safety systems worked as designed and visitors were never in any danger.
June 19, 2007
"It Happened Here!" Special Audio Tour
Take an audio tour of historic St. Louis by downloading the Gateway Arch PastCast tour to your iPod or MP3 player. Beginning June 26 and continuing indefinitely thereafter. The first download will be followed by weekly additions about successively later time periods, until the final download is available on July 31. Once available for download, all tours will be available at any time throughout the summer.
June 05, 2007
Naturalization of New Citizens
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, in cooperation with the National Park Service at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, will commemorate Flag Day with a public naturalization ceremony at the Historic Old Courthouse on Thursday, June 14. The ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the rotunda of the Historic Old Courthouse, 11 North Fourth Street, downtown St. Louis.
May 30, 2007
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Expanded Hours
Starting Saturday May 26th, through Labor Day, September 3rd, the Gateway Arch will operate on its summer schedule, with the visitor center and museum open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the trams running from 8:15 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. Visitors wanting to avoid the busy late-morning and mid-day periods should take advantage of the less crowded evening hours to visit the Arch.
May 09, 2007
DRED SCOTT FREEDOM DAY COMMEMORATED
On May 26, 1857, Dred and Harriet Scott, after eleven years of trials and an infamous Supreme Court decision, finally had a reason to celebrate, for on that day St. Louisan Taylor Blow paid their freedom bonds at the Historic Old Courthouse. To celebrate this momentous day, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is hosting a special commemorative ceremony, recognizing students who have crafted stories about the African-American experience, changes and challenges of the last 150 years.
May 09, 2007
Special Exhibit on the Underground Railroad
A new photographic exhibition entitled Freedom’s Struggle: The
Underground Railroad along the Ohio River in Kentucky and Indiana,” developed by Willie Johnson, a retired Indiana State Parks interpreter. The exhibit tells the story of the Underground Railroad through modern photos of historic sites that evoke the journey made by 19th century slaves.
April 13, 2007
Junior Ranger Day
To commemorate National Parks Week (April 22-29, 2007), Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will sponsor a Junior Ranger Day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Historic Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch
April 03, 2007
Celebrate Alaska
A live eagle and its handler from the World Bird Sanctuary will represent the wildlife of Alaska. The film Alaska: Spirit of the Wild will be shown at 10:30 a.m. and
12:30 p.m. on the four-story tall screen in Odyssey Theater. Additional free activities for the children will include hand-on objects, activity sheets and a museum search.
February 12, 2007
The Adventures of Jim Beckwourth- African American Frontiersman
The Adventures of Jim Beckwourth: African American Frontiersman-Gregory Carr, a local actor and Director of the Griot Theater, will explore the colorful life of Jim Beckwourth.
January 19, 2007
CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Throughout the month of February, 2007, the National Park Service will be hosting a series of free performances and presentations which will highlight the central roles African Americans played in some of the most triumphant and courageous moments in our nation’s history.
December 12, 2006
The Gateway Arch and Historic Old Courthouse Holiday Closing
The Gateway Arch and Historic Old Courthouse will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st for Christmas and New Years’ Days. Both facilities will be open to the public on all other days during the holiday season. Regular winter hours for the Gateway Arch are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and for the Historic Old Courthouse 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
December 11, 2006
"Dear Mr. Scott" Essay Contest
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Jefferson National Parks Association, the Gateway Arch Riverfront and KETC/Channel 9 are sponsoring an essay contest for children ages 9 through 18 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision.
December 05, 2006
Nineteenth Century Holiday Traditions at the Old Courthouse
There will be a tree lighting ceremony, concerts and Ranger-led tours.
November 14, 2006
19TH CENTURY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE
The National Park Service will present the annual 19th Century Holiday Traditions at the Old Courthouse from November 24 to December 23, 2006. Holiday concerts and children’s activities will once again highlight this staple of the St. Louis holiday season.
November 01, 2006
Old Courthouse Exhibit Features the Earliest Pictures of Yellowstone National Park
An exciting exhibition of rare 1871 William Henry Jackson "alberttypes" will be on display in the Old Courthouse from November 8, 2006 to January 21, 2007. Entitled Let Wonderland Tell Its Story: William Henry Jackson’s 1871 Alberttypes, the exhibit features the first printed depictions from photographic images of geographical features in what became Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
September 18, 2006
Naturalization Ceremony at the Courthouse
New citizens will be Naturalized at the Old Courthouse in commemoration of Constitution Day.
September 11, 2006
Entrace Fee Waived
Entrance fees at Gateway Arch will be waived for National Public Lands Day.
September 11, 2006
Lewis and Clark Exhibit
Lewis and Clark Exhibit looks at the aftermath of the expedition from the vantage point of St. Louis.
August 22, 2006
Winter Hours at Jeff
Winter Hours for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
August 22, 2006
Liberty in the Balance
The National Park Service presents
“Liberty in the Balance: Rights and Repression in Wartime St. Louis”
at the Old Courthouse
St. Louis has frequently been in the crossfire of the national debate on liberty and its limits. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, in partnership with the Exhibiting History class at Webster University, presents a new exhibit that examines the treatment of civil liberties in St. Louis during times of war.
July 20, 2006
Live on the Levee
Preceding the LIVE on the Levee concerts, the National Park Service will provide special historical tours of the grounds describing life in St. Louis during the nineteenth century. Visitors will be able to visit five sites each day where stories about the early residents of the city, their triumphs and tragedies, will be related. Special maps will be distributed at key locations on the grounds. Staff and volunteers will provide background information at different locations each week.
