Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri is operated by the National Park Service and comprises the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and the Old Courthouse. This is yet another historic site for which I could deserve two patches - I've been here once with my parents and sister and another time with my dad on a Teaching American History Teachers grant summer excursion.  

The idea for the Gateway Arch was conceived in 1948 by architect Eero Saarinen, and was constructed in 1963.  It stands at 630 feet and serves as a monument to the spirit of the western pioneers.  You can actually take an elevator (or walk the stairs) all the way to the top, and on windy days it will sway up to 18 inches!

Below the arch underground is the Museum of Westward Expansion.  My dad always made sure that we were kept occupied on the bus to and from historic sites, so on our way to St. Louis he had us watch Ken Burns' EXCELLENT PBS documentary, Lewis and Clark.  The museum contains many artifacts and has some very well developed exhibits that tell the story of the Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.

On the patch you'll see in the center what is known as "The Old Courthouse."  In 1847, Dred Scott filed suit against his slave owner for his freedom after having lived with his master on free soil for almost nine years.  The first two cases took place at the Old Court House, and in 1857 Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney finally dismissed the case, arguing that black people, both free and slave, had no rights under the Constitution because they were of "inferior order."  This ultimately led to abolitionists in the North becoming more active and vigilant in their cause.  Frederick Douglass knew after the decision was made that slavery had to end as soon as possible, for his sake and for every free and enslaved African American in the United States.