Gateway Arch National Park Honors Women of St. Louis and the West
ST. LOUIS — In honor of Mother’s Day and in celebration of the contributions made by 18th-, 19th– and 20th-century women, Gateway Arch National Park presents “Strong Women, Compassionate Hearts” on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Arch’s new west entrance. Throughout the free, day-long program, visitors of all ages can take part in a variety of activities including art projects, skits, dress-up and toy-making.
“Women have served in so many roles over the past three centuries, including entrepreneurs, outlaws, teachers, farmers and suffragists,” said Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann, director of education at Gateway Arch National Park. “They have made so many important contributions to American history. We invite you to Gateway Arch National Park to learn about their lives, their achievements and how they’ve shaped our country.”
Activities include:
- Participate in skits about free African-American women, presented by the Missouri Historical Society (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only).
- Take part in a special activity highlighting newspaper women from Nebraska, presented by the Bi-State Development Arch tram operations team.
- Participate in a quilling – a paper craft – project, presented by Never Bored Creations from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
- Make a buzz saw, a popular children’s toy of the 19th and early 20th
- Hear diaries of women pioneers heading West.
- Dress up as women of the West (includes photo opportunity).
- Participate in a petition activity about Virginia Minor and women’s right to vote.
If it is raining, the event will be moved indoors to the Arch Visitor Center mezzanine and Education Classroom.
Gateway Arch Visitor Reminders
The Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch sells out early and often. It is strongly encouraged to purchase your tram ride tickets in advance at www.gatewayarch.com/buytickets. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time.
Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only. Entrance to the Arch Visitor Center and the Museum at the Gateway Arch is free.
Gateway Arch National Park does not have designated on-site visitor parking. A list of preferred parking locations near the park can be found at http://getaroundstl.com.
For more information, visit www.nps.gov/jeff or www.gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
ABOUT: The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are part of Gateway Arch National Park, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch, which features the Tram Ride to the Top, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the documentary film Monument to the Dream, The Arch Store and The Arch Café, is open daily during the winter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Old Courthouse is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO 63102. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Programs and events at the park are made possible by the generous support from our cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development. To purchase Arch tickets, go online to gatewayarch.com, call 877-982-1410 or visit the ticket counter in the Arch Visitor Center.