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Jefferson National
Expansion Memorial
11
N. 4th Street
St. Louis, MO
314-655-1700
 
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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 park was established to commemorate
the Louisiana Purchase, the subsequent westward movement of American
explorers and pioneers, the first civil government west of the Mississippi
River, and the debate over slavery raised by the Dred Scott case. 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 where on a clear day
visitors can see up to 30 miles.
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 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, the
American Indian Peace Medal Exhibit (photo left,) and
history is retold through the voices of life-like animatronic figures. A
chronological overview of the of the Lewis and Clark Expedition rings the
outer edge of the museum. |
 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 features four
rooms documenting the history of the St. Louis area with artifacts from the era
and large photographs. A theatre features a film entitled "Gateway to
the West" that traces the history of St. Louis from its origin as a fur
trading post to the center of commerce it is today.
Two
historic courtrooms on the second floor (photo left) have been restored
using original and reproduction furniture. The National Park Service often
conducts mock trials, including the Dred Scott trial, at the Old Courthouse
with visitors from the audience playing key roles in the reenactment. |
Visiting the
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Visiting Hours
Memorial Day -
Labor Day: 8 am to 10 pm daily
Winter Hours: 9 am - 6 pm
There is no charge to visit to visit the Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial.
Location: The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is
located along the riverfront beneath the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis. The
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a short distance from the Laclede Landing MetroLink station.
Learn more about the
St. Louis area.
Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial
- Use the official site of the Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial
for answers to all
the questions you may have.
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