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Jefferson
National
Open
everyday Located on the banks of the
Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, the Jefferson National Expansion
Memorial was established in 1935 to commemorate the westward growth of the
United States between 1803 and 1890. The complex consists of the Gateway Arch,
the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch, the
nation’s tallest memorial, has come to symbolize the city of St. Louis.
Designed by architect Eero Saarinen, this stainless steel structure rises 630
feet high and spans 630 feet at ground level with construction beginning in 1961
and being completed in 1965. The Underground Visitor Center contains the Museum
of Westward Expansion, the Tucker Theatre, the Odyssey Theatre, and the Levee
Mercantile. Two unique passenger trams take visitors to the observation room at
the top of the Arch.
Located just two blocks west of the Arch is the Old Courthouse, one of the oldest standing buildings in St. Louis. It was here that the first two trials of the Dred Scott case were held in 1847 and 1850. Today, the building houses a museum charting the history of the city of St. Louis and restored courtrooms.
www.gatewayarch.com - official Arch site of Metro (formerly the Bi-State Development Agency) that operates many of the Arch complex facilities. The site features in depth descriptions of all the attractions, prices, hours, and detailed directions on how to get to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. www.nps.gov/jeff/ - official National Park Service site that covers the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. |
The Museum of Westward
Expansion is as large as a football field and follows a circular pattern with
galleries depicting a 100-year span of westward expansion. The Museum contains
an extensive collection of artifacts, mounted animal specimens, an authentic
American Indian tipi, and history is retold through the voices of life-like
animatronic figures (photo left.) A chronological overview of the of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition rings the outer edge of the museum. A special exhibit entitled
"Lewis and Clark: Imagining the Expedition from St. Louis," is on
display in the special exhibit gallery of the Museum and features period
artifacts and reproductions that highlight St. Louis's historic role in
expedition while it was based in the St. Louis area from December 1803 to May
1804.