Tag: Arch

Gateway Arch Gifts for Everyone!

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Prowling for gift ideas for your loved ones this holiday season?  Look no further – The Arch Store at Gateway Arch National Park has got you covered. 

From kids to adults, from hobbyists to national park lovers – you’ll find a fun selection of merchandise to satisfy even the pickiest member of your family. 

Let’s see what our longtime sales associate Michelle Christian recommends in her Black Friday shopping guide video.

All of the products Michelle highlighted are available at The Arch Store on the lower level of the Arch visitor center.  You can also shop for them at our online store and have them delivered (but please order early to assure they arrive on time!).

Fans of national parks will enjoy this challenging jigsaw puzzle that features patches from each of America’s beloved parks (including our personal favorite).  Its 1,000 colorful pieces should keep puzzle addicts busy all winter.

Of course it’s never too early to get children interested in our parks.  This adorable alphabet board book will help pre-readers become familiar with many popular animals, landmarks, and scenic views from national parks.

If you have any hobbyists on your gift-giving list, they’re sure to enjoy our Gateway Arch mini building blocks set.  With more than 1,900 pieces, it’s not for the faint of heart!  Once completed, the finished product stands 14” high and more than 18” long.

As they build or puzzle, perhaps they’d like to sip coffee or cocoa from our handsome Arch by Moonlight mug.  Available in blue or black, the mug features the Arch rendered in silver foil, overlaid by a raised hand-painted landscape in the foreground. 

Children also love something special to sip from.  Wouldn’t the kid in your life love one of these zany little Gateway Arch tumblers with the matching spiral straw?  Choose from green, purple, or blue.  Makes a great stocking stuffer! 

How about giving your little readers this adorable book on the Gateway Arch?  They’ll enjoy being guided around the Arch by Archie the Squirrel.

Last but not least – how about this stunning stemless wine glass? The hand-painted design features the Gateway Arch against a colorful floral background.  Pick up one or two for that special someone.

Why We’re Thankful

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Here at JNPA, we’re proud to serve as a non-profit partner of some of our nation’s most treasured public lands.  So in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we wanted to take a moment to list some of the many things we’re thankful for.

Living history programs that bring the past alive for visitors of all ages. 

(Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site)

Breathtaking scenery that inspires and enriches all of us.

(Voyageurs National Park)

Parks that honor the courageous men and women who fought for equality for all Americans.

(Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site)

Preserving America’s important historic buildings for future generations to enjoy.

(Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park)

Dedicated interpretive rangers from the Army Corps of Engineers who share the wonders of their sites with visitors.

(Lewis and Clark Visitor Center)

Energetic and committed National Park Service rangers who inspire children to become Junior Rangers.

(Voyageurs National Park)

Opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of the outdoors.

(Lewis and Clark Visitor Center)

Educators at all of our partner parks who share their love of public lands with tomorrow’s generation.

(Gateway Arch National Park)

Preserving the homes of America’s presidents as a way of helping us understand and connect with these important figures.

(President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site)

Honoring African Americans’ struggle to achieve freedom and respect in American society.

(Gateway Arch National Park)

Commemorating the diverse nationalities, traditions, and cultures that helped shape our nation.

(Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park)

Preserving critical wilderness areas that safeguard our nation’s biodiversity and ecological health.

(Mississippi National River and Recreation Area)

Protecting America’s rivers and streams that are so vital for drinking water, recreation, and commerce.

(Missouri National Recreational River)

Architectural marvels that enhance our nation’s cultural heritage and stimulate our imaginations.

(Gateway Arch National Park)

Many thanks to JNPA’s partner parks and all they do to protect America’s heritage, landscapes, and stories.   Happy Thanksgiving!

♫”Well it goes from St. Louis, down to Missouri…”♫

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What better way to celebrate the upcoming 96th anniversary of Route 66 than with a cool new license plate for your road car?  And since St. Louis is the largest city along Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles, this is a perfect time to sign up for a license plate commemorating the town’s beloved icon, the Gateway Arch.

On November 11, 1926, Route 66 was officially inaugurated as one of the nation’s original numbered highways.  It wound through small towns, around larger cities, and through undeveloped rural landscapes as it meandered from the Midwest to southern California.  The Mother Road eventually spanned 2,448 miles, though much of it was unpaved in its early days. 

The two-lane highway served as a primary route for people migrating westward during the Depression and Dust Bowl years.  In the 1940s it was an important supply route for soldiers and military equipment during World War II.  And in subsequent decades it became a cultural touchstone popularized in song and film.  But with the advent of the federal highway system and four-lane interstates, travelers bypassed numerous sections of Route 66 in favor of speedier journeys.  U.S. 66 was finally decommissioned as a federal highway in 1984 although various portions of the road have been restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Credit: Explore St. Louis

Today the enduring popularity of the Route 66 legend continues to lure tourists – especially foreign travelers – seeking a taste of Americana from another era.  Numerous Route 66 associations offer maps that highlight roadside attractions and markers along the original route, including those in the St. Louis area.

Whether you plan to celebrate the Mother Road’s anniversary by driving to some of the route’s nostalgic sites or you just want to cruise around your neighborhood in style, show off your pride in our renowned St. Louis icon with an Arch license plate (Missouri car owners only).  When you sign up for a plate on JNPA’s website, your tax-deductible donation will help support education programs at Gateway Arch National Park.  And you can order an Arch license plate at any time, regardless of your Missouri license plate expiration date.

So sign up today.  Soon your car will be the envy of your fellow drivers!

Honoring our Veterans

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The National Park Service is among many federal agencies that strive to honor the service of current and former military personnel and their families.  In honor of Veteran’s Day, Gateway Arch National Park, along with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, will be hold a commemorative event honoring the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. military veterans.

Credit: Gateway Arch Park Foundation

“Salute to Veterans” will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 1-2 p.m. The program will feature a performance by the Missouri Brass Quintet from the 399th Army Band based at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. The musicians will play both patriotic and traditional repertoire.

The concert will take place outdoors at Luther Ely Smith Square, located between the Old Courthouse and the Arch west entrance plaza.  Admission to “Salute to Veterans” is free and open to the public. 

Another way the Park Service honors veterans and military personnel is with the Annual Military Pass.  The pass provides free entrance to national parks and other federal recreation areas for all current U.S. military members and their dependents, U.S. military veterans, and Gold Star Families.  Click here for more information.

Spooktacular Fun at the Arch

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The tallest monument in America will become the spookiest monument when the Gateway Arch transforms into a family-friendly Halloween party full of tricks and treats.  The kiddies won’t want to miss this unique way to trick-or-treat, complete with a haunted tram ride!

Grab your costume and start your Halloween celebrations early as Frights and Heights returns to Gateway Arch National Park.  On Saturday October 15, the Arch visitor center will welcome your little goblins and ghosts to a fun evening of games, crafts, treats and other Halloween-themed activities.

Here’s a sampling of what you can do that evening:

  • Trick or Tram:  Your ride to the top of the Gateway Arch features spooky sights and sounds!
  • Puppet Shows: Don’t miss the puppet shows at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm as Lewis and Clark describe their adventures in the American West and share some spooky and true stories from the trails!
  • Boo-loon Animals: Artists will bring your favorite creepy crawlers to life!
  • Freaky Fudge: If you’ve got the guts for it, try some Halloween-themed specialty fudge flavors!
  • Creepy Crafts: Express yourself by decorating a small pumpkin to take home!
  • Live Music: Join the Halloween dance party when a DJ will take over the Arch mezzanine!
  • Playful Face Painting: You’ll look hauntingly good after a little makeover!

Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, though no weapons – real or pretend – are allowed, and masks must be removed while going through the security checkpoint. Children can pick up candy and special prizes from various trick-or-treat stations set up throughout the Arch.  They’ll also receive a free ticket for a one-hour Riverfront Cruise on the Mississippi River.

The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. and lasts until 10:00 p.m.  Get your Frights and Heights tickets here.  You may also want to pre-purchase garage parking downtown to avoid higher prices for other downtown St. Louis events. 

And visitors are encouraged to share a photo of their costumes or your time at Freights & Heights on social media with #FrightsandHeights, and tag GatewayArchSTL on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Let’s Roll Up Our Sleeves!

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Love the Gateway Arch?  Then join in an upcoming effort to clean up its “front yard.”  On Saturday September 24, join in a fun trash pick-up event to tidy up the St. Louis riverfront.  And also enjoy special programs on the Arch grounds.

September 24th is National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort.  National parks around the country will host outdoor events for hundreds of thousands of volunteers who will help restore, preserve, and clean up their beloved public lands.  In St. Louis, Gateway Arch National Park, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Beyond Plastics, and Living Lands & Waters are organizing a community trash pick-up event to help tidy up the downtown riverfront. It’s part of a nationwide effort to connect people with the outdoor recreation spaces in their area.

Photo by Gateway Arch Park Foundation

Riverfront cleanups will occur from 9:00-11:00 and from 11:00-1:00. All volunteers will receive materials they’ll need during the cleanup and will be entered to win a drawing for prizes. Sign up here to volunteer.

Photo by Gateway Arch Park Foundation

Don’t miss out on other fun happenings in the park that day.  How about a free yoga class underneath the Arch at 9:30 a.m.? Gateway Arch Park Foundation sponsors this Just Breathe Yoga session offered by The Collective STL.  Go here to register.

Photo by Gateway Arch Park Foundation

In the afternoon, you and your favorite pooch can join in a dog walk led by four-legged B.A.R.K. Superintendents (dog ambassadors) as part of the day’s B.A.R.K. Ranger activities.  Learn how your pup can become an official NPS B.A.R.K. Ranger by visiting the table from 2-5 p.m. on the Arch grounds.

Photo by Gateway Arch Park Foundation

Or if butterflies are more your thing, attend the MonArch Migration event to learn about butterfly flight patterns and native plants.  This annual National Park Service program celebrates the Monarch butterfly’s spectacular north-south migrations, and features information on which native plants can help these winged friends.  The event takes place from 1-4 p.m. in the Explorer’s Garden on the north end of the Arch grounds. 

Gateway Arch is proud to host these fun events, says Pam Sanfilippo, the park’s Program Manager for Museum Services and Interpretation.  “The Arch grounds are a place for everyone to enjoy – whether it’s to practice yoga, see butterflies migrating, or play fetch with your four-legged best friend.  Join us on National Public Lands Day to experience firsthand the incredible spaces here at the park.”

The Genius behind the Arch Tram Ride

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A ride to the top of the Gateway Arch is an unusual experience.  Visitors sit in somewhat cramped little capsules that carry them upward and downward through the legs of the Arch.  All the while, they hear strange clicking noises as the capsules constantly pivot to stay upright. Most people probably give very little thought to how this one-of-a-kind transportation system came about.  But it’s a fascinating story, mostly centered on one very clever inventor.

Dick Bowser
Photo loaned with permission from Harry Breitenstein

The Arch tram ride was conceived in just two short weeks by a humble man who never received a college degree.  Dick Bowser was a 38-year-old second-generation elevator manufacturer working in Des Moines, Iowa, when Gateway Arch architect Eero Saarinen asked him to develop a way to bring visitors to the top of the Arch and back down. The project was extremely challenging given the curve of the Arch (it is much narrower at the top than at the base), and the fact that he had to leave room for an observation platform at the top as well as space for a maintenance crew stairway.

A cross section view of the tram ride to the top of the Arch.

Another challenge was Saarinen’s timeline – Bowser was given just two weeks to submit a design for the Arch passenger system!  Working day and night at home in his basement, he came up with a concept that borrowed from the mechanics of both Ferris wheels and elevators, resulting in a small curving train of linked passenger capsules.  His tram concept was accepted by Saarinen and his team.  Bowser was hired to build and install the tram, which opened in 1967, two years after the Arch itself was completed. He then served as tram maintenance supervisor until 1972.

A cross section view of the tram load zone.

Dick Bowser passed away in 2003, but his crowning achievement lives on. “Dick Bowser is a trailblazer in innovation and invention and will always be an important figure in Arch history,” says Pam Sanfilippo, Program Manager, Museum Services & Interpretation, Gateway Arch National Park. “Without his Tram Ride to the Top design, tens of millions of visitors to the Arch would not have had the experience of ascending 630 feet to the top of the monument.”

That’s why the National Park Service will be honoring Bowser’s memory this Thursday September 15 on the occasion of his 101st birthday.  The daylong public celebration at the Arch will include a panel discussion by previous and current tram mechanics as well as ongoing ranger talks and kids’ activities.  The Arch Store will offer a rare 25% discount on our unique Arch cable replicas, made from the cables that pull the tram cars, and the Arch Café will hand out free cupcakes.

Join Our Team!

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Are you looking for a satisfying and fun full-time or part-time job? Do you enjoy meeting new people? Would you be proud to work at the renown Gateway Arch? Then come join our retail team at The Arch Store!

The Arch Store at Gateway Arch National Park currently has job openings for both full-time and part-time sales associates.  Responsibilities include processing sales transactions, providing great customer service, maintaining our beautiful store, and being a friendly ambassador to St. Louis’ greatest treasure.

Working for JNPA is a rewarding experience.  Not only will you encounter travelers from all over the world, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping advance our mission of protecting America’s vital national heritage.  Plus, you’ll receive a competitive salary and great benefits.

Our ideal job candidate is at least 16 years old; is able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays; and is friendly, fun and dependable.  If this sounds like you (or someone you know), then we encourage you to apply online today! 

JNPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  We give consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

“A great arch did seem right.”

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It has been called brilliant, inspirational, breathtaking, a true architectural marvel.  Those who have visited the Gateway Arch rarely forget their first glimpse of the shimmering stainless steel icon.  It soars 630 feet above the St. Louis riverfront, standing as a lasting memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s vision of exploring the American West. But who was the creative genius behind the design of the Arch?

When St. Louis officials decided in 1947 to erect a monument to President Jefferson on the downtown riverfront, they invited architects from around the world to submit designs.  A little-known Finnish architect named Eero Saarinen beat out more prominent designers with his plans for a majestic arch rising from the riverbanks.  The competition judges appreciated the symbolism of an arch as a reference to St. Louis’ historic role as a “gateway to the west.”  As Saarinen said at the time, “The major concern… was to create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time… Neither an obelisk nor a rectangular box nor a dome seemed right on this site or for this purpose. But here, at the edge of the Mississippi River, a great arch did seem right.”

Beyond its architectural beauty, the Arch is also an engineering marvel.  Each leg consists of double-walled steel equilateral triangles which are stacked one on top of the other and welded together. The complex engineering design and construction is completely hidden from view; all that can be seen from the outside is its sparkling, stainless steel outer skin. 

Nor did Saarinen intend for visitors just to look at the Arch – he wanted them to go inside it and travel to the top.  So he designed the structure’s two legs to be hollow, allowing enough room for a specially designed tram to transport guests up and down, itself a daunting engineering challenge. 

TWA Flight Center, New York
Tulip Chair

Saarinen went on to design other prominent American buildings, including the TWA airport terminal in New York, Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., as well as numerous churches, university buildings, and corporate headquarters.  He was also an influential furniture designer, responsible for the famous Tulip Chair and other well-known mid-century pieces.

Credit: Debbie Franke

Saarinen would be turning 112 years old on August 20.  What better way to commemorate his birthday than with a trip to the Gateway Arch, where you can admire his architectural wonder and learn more about the building of the monument in the Arch Museum.  Or you might want to purchase one of the many Saarinen-related products we sell at The Arch Store, like this handsome tote bag.

Rules to Live By

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At this patriotic time of year, we often recall our nation’s founding fathers. Here at JNPA, we’re particularly fond of the visionary Thomas Jefferson, whom the National Park Service honors as part of the founding mission of Gateway Arch National Park.  But while Jefferson is famous for many reasons (let’s see — third U.S. President, author of the Declaration of Independence, signer of the Louisiana Purchase…), you might not be familiar with his lesser known Ten Rules of Conduct.

Thomas Jefferson often advised others, including his children and grandchildren, on how to conduct themselves and frequently developed lists of personal behavior for them.  In 1825, the year before he died, he imparted what he called “a decalogue of canons for observation in practical life.”  Some of these rules were borrowed from literary sources; others seem to be his own creation.

Credit: Library of Congress

Jefferson’s rules seem to be as relevant today as they were in the 1800s:

  1. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do to-day.
  2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
  3. Never spend your money before you have it.
  4. Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
  5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold.
  6. We never repent of having eaten too little.
  7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
  8. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened!
  9. Take things always by their smooth handle.
  10. When angry, count ten, before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.
Thomas Jefferson’s signature

If you decide to share Jefferson’s useful rules with the children in your family, why not also treat them to this mini-building block set? That way, they can build their own (4-inch) statue to Jefferson.