Gateway Arch National Park

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 


Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (later named Gateway Arch National Park) was created on December 21, 1935, made possible by the newly enacted Historic Sites Act of 1935. This presentation, in honor of the Park’s 90th birthday, will cover the history of historic preservation in America and how it is reflected in the development of Gateway Arch National Park. Our presenter, Amanda Burke, is an Architectural Historian who currently serves as the Cultural Resource Manager and Compliance Coordinator at Gateway Arch National Park. She is a board member for Missouri Preservation, the statewide historic preservation non-profit.

Step back in time to the 1770s as we celebrate St. Louis' French Colonial past with a holiday that marks the end of the Christmas season. Enjoy traditional music by Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole, dancing, a food demonstration, crafts, and more! And if you want to immerse yourself more in St. Louis' French colonial past, be sure to visit the Colonial St. Louis exhibit in the museum while you're here!

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 

Want to take a tour of the best attractions St. Louis has to offer? Let Amanda Doyle be your guide. Amanda will share her bucket list of things to do around town, helping you connect to the region in new ways. Whether you’re new to St. Louis or a long-time native, you’re bound to get a fresh take on many familiar spots as well as recommendations on some off-the-beaten locales you may not have heard of.

Amanda is the author of nine books for both kids and adults, from neighborhood guidebooks to a history of the civil rights struggle in St. Louis.

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 

Although they began as one-time friends and colleagues, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas became bitter political rivals over the issue of slavery in their 1858 bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. Although Lincoln lost that election, their well-publicized debates launched him into national prominence, eventually leading to his election as President of the United States.

As a longtime middle school teacher and administrator, author Jan Jacobi aims to giving young adult readers a human portrait of Abraham Lincoln, which he will explore in this presentation. His first two Lincoln books each won Nautilus and Best of Illinois History Awards.

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 

What can maps tell us about a city’s past? Come find out as we take a fascinating look at St. Louis history using maps as our guide. Author Andy Hahn’s book Mapping St. Louis charts the growth of our city from its founding in the 1760s to the present day, interweaving 40 maps along with short essays, detailed views, and captioned illustrations. He will discuss a selection of maps that highlight the city's rich history and spark ideas about where the city may be heading.

Andy is a 7th generation St. Louisan who has been passionate about history and maps since he was a kid. Since 2003, he has worked as director of the historic Campbell House Museum in downtown St. Louis.

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 

What better season to learn about our town’s baseball history than April? Author Ed Wheatley traces St. Louis’ long love affair with “America’s favorite pastime” –from kids playing in farm fields and school yards to the sports heroes of the major leagues and Negro leagues.

Ed grew up in and around the world of baseball and continues to play in senior leagues across the country. As a leader of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, he works to preserve the history and legacy of this transplanted American League team.

B.A.R.K. Ranger events are always free and open to everyone. Dogs must be leashed and friendly. All events will start at 10:00 a.m. at the park entrance. Since B.A.R.K. Ranger events are held outdoors, they will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. 

Join us each month for a thought-provoking speaker series that brings St. Louis history to life. Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association are proud to host compelling talks by local authors and other knowledgeable guests who will explore a variety of topics relevant to the St. Louis region. You might learn about our city's early beginnings, its architecture, our prominent leaders, the rise of the Gateway Arch, our civil rights struggles, and the best things to do around town. Book discussions will be followed by an author signing opportunity. 

All programs are free and no reservations are needed. They will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month in the rotunda of the historic Old Courthouse (11 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102). The building is fully accessible, and a sign language interpreter will be on hand for each presentation. 

Come hear the rich and inspiring history of African Americans in St. Louis, ranging from the city’s founding as a French fur trading post through the Spanish colonial era to the new millennium. Authors Calvin Riley and NiNi Harris discuss their book Black St. Louis, which highlights great figures who showed leadership, incredible innovation, and courage despite the injustices they faced.

Calvin is an educator who, along with his wife, amassed a collection of Black memorabilia dating back 250 years, now on display at the George B. Vashon Museum of African American History. Nini has authored 18 books on St. Louis history, from explorations of historic neighborhoods and parks to volumes on immigrants and Black St. Louisans.

B.A.R.K. Ranger events are always free and open to everyone. Dogs must be leashed and friendly. All events will start at 10:00 a.m. at the park entrance. Since B.A.R.K. Ranger events are held outdoors, they will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. 

Join St. Louis Audubon Society Urban Conservation Specialist Matt Barton and learn about how buildings and their attendant light effect bird migration