History Talk: Julia Dent Grant - Diplomat

Join us as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Julia Dent Grant’s birth in St. Louis on January 26, 1826. From Julia Dent Grant’s childhood when she interceded with her father on behalf of the enslaved to her widowhood when she befriended Varina Davis, Julia Dent Gran......More

Join us as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Julia Dent Grant’s birth in St. Louis on January 26, 1826. From Julia Dent Grant’s childhood when she interceded with her father on behalf of the enslaved to her widowhood when she befriended Varina Davis, Julia Dent Grant served as a diplomat and unofficial ambassador. Pam Sanfilippo will share insights into Julia’s role as diplomat throughout her life and how her personality made her well suited for this role, whether in personal interactions or in world affairs. Cake and punch reception to follow. 

Ranger Talk: Julia and Ulysses Courtship

Come learn about the love story of Ulysses and Julia on February 14th. Park Guide Sky Castilleja will present and discuss their courtship and young relationship. 

History Talk: Political Cartoons about Grant

Post Dispatch cartoonist, Dan Martin will mostly focus on two of the eras most celebrated names of the time, Thomas Nast (pro-Grant) and Joseph Keppler (anti-Grant) along with the surprising St. Louis connections of some of their biggest targets.(This program has been r......More

Post Dispatch cartoonist, Dan Martin will mostly focus on two of the eras most celebrated names of the time, Thomas Nast (pro-Grant) and Joseph Keppler (anti-Grant) along with the surprising St. Louis connections of some of their biggest targets.(This program has been rescheduled from October 4, 2025)

History Talk: The 15th Amendment and the Women's Rights Movement

The end of the Civil War created new discussions about citizenship and voting rights in the United States. Women and newly freed African Americans both pushed for expanded civil rights during Reconstruction. However, a proposed 15th Amendment only barred racial discrimi......More

The end of the Civil War created new discussions about citizenship and voting rights in the United States. Women and newly freed African Americans both pushed for expanded civil rights during Reconstruction. However, a proposed 15th Amendment only barred racial discrimination at the polls while saying nothing about gender discrimination. Various activists such as Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton faced a crossroads: should they push for voting rights for women and African Americans at the same time, or did one group's needs trump the other in the short term? Historian and Curator Nick Sacco explores the ways the 15th Amendment caused severe splits in the women's rights movement during Reconstruction. 

Author Talk: The Importance of Julia's Memoirs

Author Diana Carlin, Ph.D. will discuss Julia's memoir and their importance as the first written by a First Lady.

Ranger Talk/Tour: The Women of White Haven

Join Ranger Evan as she discusses the women who called White Haven home and life in this historic place.

History Talk: Analyzing Historic Photographs

What are the differences between a daguerreotype, an ambrotype, and a tintype? Park Historian and Curator Nick Sacco will explore a variety of historic photos from both the park’s collection and his own. He will explain the technology of photography and how it evolved d......More

What are the differences between a daguerreotype, an ambrotype, and a tintype? Park Historian and Curator Nick Sacco will explore a variety of historic photos from both the park’s collection and his own. He will explain the technology of photography and how it evolved during the19th century and how photographic technology combined with the subject can help historians to date the image. Visitors are encouraged to bring a historic photo of their own to include in the discussion.

White Haven Readers Guild

The Age of Reconstruction: How Lincoln’s New Birth of Freedom Remade the World by Don Doyle.The book club is open to all who are interested. The Reader’s Guild meets quarterly on Wednesdays at 2 PM. Enjoy a group discussion led by a park ranger. This has been reschedule......More

The Age of Reconstruction: How Lincoln’s New Birth of Freedom Remade the World by Don Doyle.The book club is open to all who are interested. The Reader’s Guild meets quarterly on Wednesdays at 2 PM. Enjoy a group discussion led by a park ranger. This has been rescheduled from October 1. The program is free. Call 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.

Civil War Days

A living history weekend to commemorate the 161th anniversary of the Confederatesurrender at Appomattox Court House. Activities will include presentations on thesurrender, soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, children's activities,and information on res......More

A living history weekend to commemorate the 161th anniversary of the Confederatesurrender at Appomattox Court House. Activities will include presentations on thesurrender, soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, children's activities,and information on researching your Civil War ancestors.

Civil War Days

A living history weekend to commemorate the 161th anniversary of the Confederatesurrender at Appomattox Court House. Activities will include presentations on thesurrender, soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, children's activities,and information on res......More

A living history weekend to commemorate the 161th anniversary of the Confederatesurrender at Appomattox Court House. Activities will include presentations on thesurrender, soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, children's activities,and information on researching your Civil War ancestors.