Iconic Conversations: Jan Jacobi, Lincoln and Douglas

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 var......More

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.

It will be held in the rotunda.

Iconic Conversations: Andy Hahn, Mapping 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 var......More

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.

It will be held in the rotunda.

Iconic Conversations: Ed Wheatley, Baseball 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 var......More

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.

It will be held in the rotunda.

B.A.R.K. Ranger: Arch History Walking Tour

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. 

Meet outside the Gateway Arch visitor center entrance