National Park Service Announces Programming for Traveling ‘National Parks in Quilts’ Exhibit
Through Monday, January 2, 2017, a traveling quilt exhibit is on display in the Old Courthouse Rotunda. This 13-piece exhibit was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The pieces in the “quilts as art” exhibit were created by Fiber Works, a group of artists from Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. The artists were inspired by their favorite national park site.
To bring even more insight to the world of quilting, the National Park Service will host special programs on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31 in the Old Courthouse Southwest Exhibit Gallery. All events are free and open the public. The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North Fourth Street in Downtown St. Louis.
“The ‘National Parks in Quilts’ is a beautiful display of handcrafted wall hangings that has traveled across the country – from Joshua Tree National Park in California to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia – before stopping here at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial,” said Rhonda Schier, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation. “We are happy to bring another dimension of storytelling through art to our park visitors, with programing that brings the craft to life and welcomes special guests to the park for demonstrations and discussions.”
In addition, a quilt celebrating the life of President Ulysses S. Grant (normally on display at Ulysses. S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis) can be viewed in the Old Courthouse through Tuesday, January 3. This quilt was handmade by St. Louisan Glenda Gauss and commemorates important milestones of President Grant’s life.
Friday, December 30
- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: hands-on quilting experience led by Jennifer Clark, archivist at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
- 10:30-11:00 a.m.: “Connecting to the Past Through Quilts,” presented by Nancy Hoppe, interpretive ranger at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
- 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Informal visit and discussion with Glenda Gauss, quilter of the U.S. Grant Historical Retrospective Quilt
- 1:00-1:30 p.m.: “Ulysses S. Grant’s White Haven: A Place to Call Home,” presented by David Newmann, park guide at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Saturday, December 31
- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: hands-on quilting experience led by Jennifer King, interpretive park ranger at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: “General Grant at Vicksburg,” presented by Shawn Williams, park guide at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
- 12:30-1:00 p.m.: “Connecting Children to the Arch,” presented by Edna Patterson Petty, quilter
- 1:00-1:30 p.m.: “Quilting and the Underground Railroad,” presented by Hattie Thompson, quilter
HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION AND REMINDERS
Both the Arch and Old Courthouse are closed New Year’s Day. Tram rides at the Gateway Arch are currently unavailable due to maintenance work. They will return in spring 2017.
PARKING AND ROAD CLOSURES REMINDER
A list of downtown St. Louis parking locations within walking distance of the Old Courthouse is available at http://getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the Old Courthouse. Visitors are encouraged to check www.gatewayarch.com/directions for up-to-date information on road detours and construction news before their visit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.nps.gov/jeff or www.gatewayarch.com; or call 877-982-1410. Reservations are not required, but large groups should call 314-655-1614 to alert the Old Courthouse of their attendance. Tickets are not required to enter the Arch at this time.