ST. LOUIS—The builders of the Gateway Arch will reunite in celebration of the day the final piece of the Arch was put into place and monument was completed. On Saturday, October 29, the National Park Service will host Gateway Arch National Park’s annual “Meet the Builders” event from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Arch tram lobby, in which the public can meet the engineers, tradesmen and support staff who contributed to the construction of the Gateway Arch. The Arch was completed 57 years ago, on October 28, 1965.

“As we reflect on 57 years of the Gateway Arch, we are reminded of the history it represents and the many stories it tells, from St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States and those who shaped American history, to the builders who worked for years to construct it, to what it means to us today,” says Pam Sanfilippo, Program Manager, Museum Services & Interpretation, Gateway Arch National Park. “Our annual Meet the Builders event is the opportunity to meet history and hear stories of the Arch’s construction.”

At the event, a small group of builders will share memories, private memorabilia and photographs with attendees, and sign autographs. The Arch Store, located in the Arch tram lobby, will sell $1 commemorative posters for autographing. This is a free event that is open to all ages.

Additionally, a special video featuring interviews with multiple builders will play in advance of each screening of “Monument to the Dream,” the award-winning documentary that chronicles the construction of the Arch. “Monument to the Dream” plays at the top of every hour in the Arch’s Tucker Theater. (The interviews will also show on the screens in the tram lobby.) Visitors are encouraged to explore the “Building the Arch” exhibit gallery in the always-free Museum at the Gateway Arch and take the Tram Ride to the Top.

WHAT:          Meet the Builders of the Gateway Arch
WHEN:          Saturday, October 29; 10:00 a.m. to noon
WHERE:       Gateway Arch tram lobby (located on lower level of Arch facility)
COST:            Free and open to all ages

ARCH VISITOR REMINDERS

Visitors must enter the monument at the Arch entrance plaza, 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. All visitors must pass through an airport-style security checkpoint to get to the lower level of the Arch facility.

The Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch sells out early and often. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tram ride tickets in advance at gatewayarch.com/buytickets. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time. For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.

Arch parking is available at the Stadium East Garage, located at 200 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, for a fee. Visit iparkit.com/TheArch to pre-purchase parking with no validation required. If parking is not pre-purchased, validation is required by scanning/stamping parking tickets at one of two validators located inside the Arch Visitor Center. With each parking purchase at the Stadium East Garage, $1 will go to support ongoing conservation and preservation efforts, educational opportunities, and community programs at Gateway Arch National Park through Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

Metered street parking is also located near Gateway Arch National Park.

ABOUT GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK: Gateway Arch National Park is a unit of the National Park System that commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a unified continental nation and St. Louis’ role as the gateway to the American West during the 19th century and preserves the Old Courthouse as the site of the Dred Scott case. The park includes the Gateway Arch, the Arch grounds and the Old Courthouse, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Old Courthouse is currently closed. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Many programs and events at the park benefit from the generous support from park partners Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development. For more information about Gateway Arch National Park, visit NPS.gov/jeff.

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