Iconic Conversations: Vivian Gibson, Memories of the Mill Creek Neighborhood

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. Once home to 20,000 residents, the close-knit African American neighborhood of Mill Creek Valley in downtown St. Louis was demolished in 1959, a victim of federal urban renewal policies. Nearly 70 years later, the children who once lived in the segregated working-class community share their stories in Vivian Gibson’s moving memoir. These former residents look back on their lives, revealing their resilience as children who witnessed the decline and eventual erasure of their neighborhood.Vivian herself grew up in Mill Creek Valley. Her collection of stories reveals extraordinary lives of ordinary people. In addition to discussing her book, she will screen her recently produced documentary short, titled "Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There."

It will be held in the rotunda.

Telescopes for Beginners

Interested in exploring the night sky on your own? Getting your own telescope is one of the best ways to do this. Don Ficken, President of the St. Louis chapter of Dark Sky Missouri will bring in various telescopes and show how to use them. Meet at the Education Classro......More

Interested in exploring the night sky on your own? Getting your own telescope is one of the best ways to do this. Don Ficken, President of the St. Louis chapter of Dark Sky Missouri will bring in various telescopes and show how to use them. Meet at the Education Classroom inside the Arch Visitor Center.

Iconic Conversations: Peter Kastor, St. Louis' American Revolution

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. When you think of the American Revolutionary War, the city of St. Louis probably doesn’t come to mind. Yet our small village was the site of the westernmost battle fought in the war, one that helped shape the destiny of our young nation. The 1780 Battle of Ft. San Carlos crushed Britain’s plans to take over St. Louis, thus spoiling its attempt to take control of the Mississippi River during the war.Peter Kastor will explore this fascinating chapter from our city’s past. As a history professor at Washington University, he focuses on the half-century following American independence. He is also a scholar on the American Presidency.

It will be held in the rotunda.

Kids Explorer Night

Renowned storyteller Bobby Norfolk will discuss the star stories of cultures around the world. This will be followed by the annual Junior Ranger Night Explorer Workshop, in which children from ages 4-12 can earn a special patch customized to our Park. Meet at Tucker The......More

Renowned storyteller Bobby Norfolk will discuss the star stories of cultures around the world. This will be followed by the annual Junior Ranger Night Explorer Workshop, in which children from ages 4-12 can earn a special patch customized to our Park. Meet at Tucker Theater inside the Arch Visitor Center.