Jefferson National Expansion Administrative History

Interpretive Programs in the Late 1980s

Interpretive talks in the Museum of Westward Expansion were offered nearly every half hour of the day by 1986. These programs enabled all visitors to attend a personal interpretive service if they chose. As a result, a 69% increase in program attendance over the previous year was noted. A full-sized reproduction tipi was added to the permanent museum exhibits in 1986, and a puppet stage added variety to both public and education programs. [56]

Several changes in visitor services took place during the summer of 1988. In May JEFF began an entrance fee program based on the honor system and the use of special fee collection machines. In support of the program, interpretive park rangers furnished information and assistance in operating the machines, as well as help for visitors in planning their activities. The crush of the crowds was so hectic, however, that this added interpretive function lasted only through the summer of 1988. Simultaneously, a program was instituted consisting of a 5-to-7 minute introductory talk in Tucker Theater before the start of the film Monument to the Dream. It was quickly discovered that these talks were far more effective in informing visitors about park programs than trying to make contact in the lobby at the fee collection machines. The theater talks were continued after Bi-Sate assumed control of collecting the entrance fee. [57]

The duties of JNEHA employees were expanded to include public programs and all duty stations in the Gateway Arch. As a result, their productivity increased, and the complexity of daily scheduling was eased by fully integrating JNEHA interpreters into daily operations. [58]

In 1989, a plan was developed to convert the interpretive offices in the Museum of Westward Expansion into a more efficient workspace for up to 25 employees. Charles "Corky" Mayo, Chief of the Division of Museum Services and Interpretation at the time, recalled that when he arrived in the park, "the interpreters sat on the concrete floors back there with books on their laps." [59] Computer equipment was purchased and modular office space designed to serve the needs of the interpreters. [60] The new interpretive workspace was an important change, boosting employee morale and providing desktop areas, book and note storage, and a "personal space" for each interpreter. [61]

"When I got to the park," recalled Mayo, "morale was low. I thought, what can I do to help this situation? First, I had to empower people to have a say in what they do. I sought input from the staff on decisions such as the construction of the information desk. I told people, don't worry about what we can do, we can do whatever we want. We have to choose the right idea!" [62]

In May 1990, Corky Mayo transferred to the Pacific Northwest Regional Office, and Mark Engler of Saguaro National Monument was selected to replace him. [63] "On my arrival, I looked first at the personal side," said Engler.

I wanted to inspire a new level of self-confidence in the interpretive staff, giving them opportunities to participate in programs and activities to enhance the division's operation, but also to help build a solid base for their individual careers. I wanted to emphasize communication, developing an efficient team; I wanted to look at individual programs and their structure. [64]

New programs for park visitors included expanded services for the disabled. Substantial work in improving the park's library, the removal of architectural fragments from the 1939-42 demolition of riverfront buildings to an off-site location, and improvements in the existing temporary exhibits program characterized Engler's tenure. A shift was made in the discussion of the major interpretive themes, moving away from an emphasis on "manifest destiny" and the "conquest" of the West by predominantly Anglo-Saxon Euro-Americans, toward a more subtle and all-embracing multi-cultural interpretation of the story. Mark Engler explained:

We try to be objective in our story lines — telling the story accurately, but portraying all groups of people, not just Euro-Americans. This memorial was, from the beginning, created to commemorate the ordinary people who settled the West. No one said that meant only the descendants of the Jamestown and Mayflower settlers. Ordinary people who settled the west included African-American, Chinese and Japanese immigrants. Spanish settlers lived in the Southwestern United States before the colony of Jamestown was even founded. The West was settled by men and women from nearly every part of the globe. This memorial was also meant to include, I believe, the first settlers of the West, the American Indians. So we incorporate all of these groups into our interpretive programs, and it isn't a stretch at all. I think we present the story of the West in a more positive and accurate light now than if we were still talking about manifest destiny and accentuating only one group of people.

I think that we are lucky to have such a wide range of themes. Because of this, interpreters here have an opportunity to grow, to share different segments of the history of the West, St. Louis, and the Old Courthouse. . . . We try to include management objectives along with these themes in our presentations. I believe that our programs should do more than entertain. In this way, we can actively demonstrate the power of the role of interpretation. It would be hard to cut a program that would save $100,000 a year by simply discussing the conservation of objects in the museum or litter control on the grounds. So through the use of management objectives we can make an immediate and positive contribution to the public's appreciation for the park and for the goals of the NPS as a whole. [65]

Assistant Education Specialist Diane James conducts a Frontier Classroom program. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

JNEHA and Interpretation

In the Operations Evaluation of May 1982, it was noted that:

The budget of the interpretive division increased $92,000 from 1979 to 1982 to a total of $547,600. Despite the increase, and the fact that the cooperating association funds almost all supplies and materials and personal service costs for five employees of the division, there has been a steady decrease in available personal services. . . . Interpretive programs as a whole are going downhill. There is now a $150,000 deficit between the purchasing power in 1980 FY and the 1982 FY allocations. Programs have been reduced or eliminated in order to compensate. Judgment at the park is that something else has to close in 1983 in order to balance operations with allocations. Alternatives seriously considered have been to close the programs at the Courthouse, reduce the hours of operation, [or] reduce maintenance programs especially on turf and grounds. [66]

JNEHA Executive Director Ray Breun remembered that there "were a variety of things that happened in the last days of the Carter and the early days of the Reagan administrations, all of which basically meant that the Park Service staff was being reduced. . ." [67] Since the Gateway Arch and its Museum of Westward Expansion had become the premiere attractions of the park, when the money crunch came in the 1980s the first alternative considered for the reduction in the program was the closure of the Old Courthouse. Superintendent Jerry Schober recalled:

I mentioned to [the Midwest Regional Office] that if my budget kept coming out at what it was, I could not operate the Old Courthouse, and the Old Courthouse had become an intricate part of the operation. Apparently they weren't receiving those memos. I got my [FY '83] budget . . . and it wasn't enough to run [the Old Courthouse]. I mentioned [this] in the squad meeting, which I know Ray [Breun] was always sitting in [on]. And I said, "Well, we're going to have to close the Old Courthouse." And that appeared in the newspaper. [68]

I presume Ray [mentioned it to the press], which I did not tell him not to do, but the idea was, I didn't ask for it to be put in there. I know it's not kosher for a manager to do it, but everybody figured I probably did it. But my heavens, you know the press, the Post-Dispatch was in here, "Well, what are you going to do?"

"The only thing I know to do, I have already sent out a letter requesting additional FTE and funds so that I can operate this [park]." And . . . the thing came back like lightning before it got up to the Region. Weekly I'd be called up by the Post-Dispatch saying, "Well, have they responded?"

I went to the Superintendent's conference; and the director of the Park Service [Russell Dickenson] was there. By then this thing had hit the Washington Post, that the Old Courthouse in St. Louis was going to close down because we didn't have enough money. And he [the Director] said, "Hey, good shooting, Jerry, really putting the pressure on us, aren't you?" But he smiled.

And so, I got back and I got a letter, or a memo [from the Regional Office], and it said "This is in response to your memo to us. Number one, you're not going to get any additional FTE; number two, you're not going to get any additional money; number three, you're not going to close down any visitor use areas. And I thought, well, I could understand that memo real well. And the press wanted to know what did it say; and I told them. And they said "What are you going to do?" And I said "Well, you know, I was like you, I was thinking about that same thing, but then I thought, well maybe that's why they call me a manager. I'm going to have to come up with something so that I can do what my superiors told me to do." And they said "Alright."

So I got Ray Breun over, and he sat down, and I said "Ray, I want to keep this courthouse going; this is where a lot of history took place . . . with the Dred Scott [decision]. This is something earth-shaking. So I said, how about this: let's do an addendum to your [cooperative] agreement, and you run the theater down there [at the Gateway Arch], (it had always been free), and let's charge 50 cents a ticket. [Ray] felt that he could pay people who were going to do the same thing [rangers do] in gray and green only they're going to have a different color uniform. And we've already agreed that it's not "us" and "them." They'll come in, they are making the same money, we want to give them the same training, we want them to have the same commitment. There's one thing we shared: and that was a mission.

I had already done an agreement once before with the association at Gettysburg, where they did certain services for me. They did all the [custodial work], and they paid for it. In fact, I didn't realize it at the time, but that was the only written agreement an association had ever had. I didn't know it was going to come back to haunt me. Before long they decided hey, everybody ought to have one of those. So we ended up having one here [in 1982] . . . [69]

In 1985, with JNEHA-funded rangers in place at the Old Courthouse, budget cuts again began to affect the park with possible cutbacks in hours, this time at the Gateway Arch. Superintendent Schober amplified:

[In 1985] we were short money again, and we were short people. Now I had to go to the Region [again]. Regional Director Chuck Odegaard was there, and I had to sell him on the idea that I could dedicate four people during the day down under the Arch to provide information and make sure the artifacts were not harmed or removed or anything like that. "Why couldn't this be a job the Association could do?" He said "Well . . . humph . . . " He couldn't argue with that because it wasn't taking more money from them. [70]

Superintendent Schober ordered this major change in staffing for the Museum of Westward Expansion in the fall of 1985. The responsibility for roving, interpretation/ protection duties in the museum switched from NPS interpreters to interpreters funded by JNEHA. National Park Rangers were assigned to duties at the entrance to the MWE, the information desk, the top of the Gateway Arch, and an occasional program. The JNEHA staff became the "guards" roving the museum. Park Service employees could not present school programs, JNEHA employees could not put on public programs. This division of duties caused dissention on the part of the staff, with each group wanting to perform duties delegated to the other, and an expressed wish to serve on a co-equal basis. [71]

JNEHA Ranger Kurt Hosna speaks with visitors in the Museum of Westward Expansion, May 1988. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

Superintendent Schober continued:

To make this a short story, [JNEHA employees] began to say "Hey Jerry, we stand down here, we listen to the story, we study it to be able to give information; we're doing the same thing the [NPS] interpreters do." And, you know, I'd love to tell them no, but they were. And by now, we've convinced Civil Service that when an opening comes, these people have been performing that job, why can't they be entitled to apply for it? Now . . . I have to go back to the Region this time and say, "They've done a great job down there, can you see a reason why they couldn't be interpreters?" And it would mean their grade, also, went up a little. . . . And you know, you've got to give it to the Region, they were supportive. Sometimes, I'm sure they held their breath. But they were supportive. [72]

In 1988, the Regional Office granted permission for JNEHA and NPS rangers to perform the same interpretive functions in the Museum of Westward Expansion, under NPS supervision. The unique situation of funds provided by JNEHA for programs and personnel eased the strain on the JEFF budget caused by Federal budget cuts and cost-of-living salary increases during the 1980s. [73] Mark Engler summarized the park's point of view regarding the JNEHA rangers and their place in the operation:

They are essential. Without the rangers, librarian, archivist, exhibit staff, and projectionists we would be dead in the water. We look at these people as being the equals of the NPS staff and hold them to the same standards and expectations that we do the people wearing gray and green. The only difference is in where the money comes from to pay them, and the color of their uniforms. The ideal would be that the staff would be entirely paid by the NPS, that they would all be NPS rangers. This, unfortunately, is not possible because of the budget, nor is it likely to be possible in the future. But it shows how strongly we feel about the staff, and that the JNEHA people are not "auxiliaries," but considered to be full-fledged rangers. [74]

Special Interpretive Activities

Frontier Folklife Festival

In addition to the regular interpretive and museum education activities at JEFF, there have been a number of special interpretive programs developed over the years. Some, like the Frontier Folklife Festival, began in the late 1970s and ended in the 1980s. The first folklife festival at JEFF took place over the Labor Day weekend of 1977, an expansion of one held the previous year at Washington University in St. Louis. The Mississippi Valley Folk Festival featured American folk culture through American Indian, ethnic, Afro-American, and Anglo-American traditions using music, dance, and crafts. The National Park Service cooperated in the venture with JNEHA, the Missouri Friends of the Folk Arts, the National Council for Traditional Arts, and the Missouri Arts Council. In 1978, the event became known as the Frontier Folklife Festival to tie it more strongly to the primary interpretive theme of the Memorial. The 1983 festival drew 60,000 people and featured 70 artists. [75]

Basket weaver at the Frontier Folklife Festival. Photo by Norman Messinger.	Sheep shearing at the Frontier Folklife Festival. Photo by Norman Messinger.

For seven years, the Folklife Festival was an annual summer event at the Memorial, but after 1983 funding for the program was needed elsewhere, specifically to pay the salaries of employees hired by JNEHA to staff the Old Courthouse. JNEHA sources were also depleted after sponsoring a major exhibit of Charles M. Russell paintings in 1982. [76] Then-superintendent Jerry Schober commented: "I'd had a folk festival in California [at Golden Gate], but I felt like folk festivals didn't have to be totally paid for by the Park Service. If there was that much of a following, then you ought to be able to go out and get support. . . Their outlay [all JNEHA funds] was about $70,000 a year, and they didn't bring anything in." [77] As a result of park-wide budget cuts, Schober discontinued funding, telling supporters of the program that it could continue if outside money could be found to pay for it. The cancellation of the festival caused a great deal of hard feelings on the part of supporters. Despite an effort on the part of the performers and folk enthusiasts to save the festival, alternative funding was never found for its continuance at the Arch. [78]

Storytelling

Another special cooperative interpretive event hosted by the Memorial was the annual Storytelling Festival. This program, jointly sponsored by JEFF and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, was started in 1980. The four day event was traditionally held on the first weekend in May, and featured 25-30 nationally and locally known storytellers each year, presenting public performances at the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse. Attendance at the festival ranged between 10,000-15,000 people throughout the 1980s, peaking at 20,000 in 1986. Beginning in 1987, JEFF Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation Corky Mayo insisted upon interpretive themes for each festival, the first being "Star Spangled Stories." [79] Although themes in accordance with the NPS, St. Louis history, or the history of the West were insisted upon, it was often difficult to make the storytellers understand the importance of fully tying their event to the programs at JEFF. "We have had an ongoing discussion with the Storytelling people about themes here at the Memorial," Mark Engler said. "Since our theme base is so large, we felt they could help us by telling stories which fit in with our themes. This has been a real battle at times, and we threatened to cancel the 1991 festival because of a lack of cooperation on this." [80]

Storyteller Bobby Norfolk at the 1985 festival. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

Black Heritage Month

The Memorial's observance of Black Heritage Month made its debut in February 1980. During the early 1980s, Black History Month featured movies and programs in music, dance and storytelling, more entertaining than interpretive in structure and delivery. [81] In 1984, however, an original dramatic reenactment of the Dred Scott trial presented by the interpretive staff and local residents became the culminating event of a schedule called by the Washington Office "one of the most ambitious in the NPS," and pointed the way for the future of the program. [82] In 1986, the Dred Scott trial ran for one full week, and was presented in the Tucker Theater and at the Old Courthouse. [83] By 1987, entertainment activities were replaced with interpretive programs on the African-American role in westward expansion, attracting 7,146 visitors. [84] These programs were offered to both the general public and school groups, and led, by the conclusion of the decade, to a year-round program of school and public presentations on the African-American experience. [85] In 1988, to accommodate the overwhelming popularity of the Dred Scott trial program, its location was moved from a courtroom to the rotunda. An exhibit was created on African-Americans in the fur trade, accompanied by a sound track containing music by black composers. [86]

John Toomer portrayed York, the only African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, for Black Heritage Month in 1990 and 1991. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

Further change was noted in 1989, when in addition to presentations by park interpreters, outside groups were invited to participate in the January 15 through March 4 celebration. Company A of the 10th U.S. Cavalry, re-enactors from Fort Concho, Texas who portrayed the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 1860s-90s West, were a highlight of the program. Storyteller Opalanga Pugh recreated such historical figures as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. At the Old Courthouse, the "Freedom School" program was developed to teach school groups how free black children were forced to obtain their education in secret in ante-bellum St. Louis. The month culminated in a week of dramatic re-enactments of the Dred Scott trial at the Old Courthouse, and drew 9,000 visitors. [87]

The 1990 celebration was held January 14 through March 3, and was attended by 24,000 visitors. Programs included special presentations by Robert Tabscott, a St. Louis historian and writer; Opalanga Pugh; and John Toomer, who recreated the thoughts and experiences of York, the only black member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Company A of the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers were again featured, and the Dred Scott Trial was performed by a community acting group and area choirs. Ranger-led presentations included a special week of "Freedom School" programs at the Old Courthouse, and "Blacks of the West" programs at the Museum of Westward Expansion. [88]

A new addition for the 1991 Black Heritage Month, held February 3 through March 2, included a series of concerts and a lunchtime lecture series with such noted authors as Dr. Walter Ehrlich, author of They Have No Rights: Dred Scott's Struggle for Freedom and Dr. John Wright, author of No Crystal Stair and The St. Louis Black Heritage Trail. [89] The Black Heritage Month Program continued to grow in the early 1990s, but more importantly evolved into a program of year-round presentations on African-American heritage in St. Louis and the West.

Christmas Programs

During the 1970s small Christmas programs began at the Old Courthouse, and beginning in 1981 Christmas noontime concerts were offered. "A World of Christmas" began as part of the folklife program in the early 1980s, and included a display of 16 different international Christmas trees in the Old Courthouse, with performances by children in ethnic costumes. [90] At the Gateway Arch, holiday frontier folklore presentations were given, with choirs and evening tram rides to the top of the Arch. [91]

A Victorian-era Christmas celebration was launched at the Old Courthouse in 1988, with a more ambitious program of special concerts. By 1989 "Victorian Christmas at the Old Courthouse" grew to include special children's programs, noontime concerts and participation in evening candlelight tours involving three downtown historic homes. Extensive decorations, including a 25-foot tree in the rotunda, drew 13,600 people. Beginning in 1989, a display of international Christmas trees similar to that once held in the Old Courthouse, entitled "A World of Christmas" was held at the Arch Visitor Center, representing the trees and customs of 10 different countries. [92]

In 1990 the Christmas program was expanded to include the entire month of December and included a variety of special holiday programs for both school groups and the general public, as well as continuing the noontime concerts and an evening candlelight tour. Once again, the Old Courthouse was festively decorated with an artificial 25-foot tree in the rotunda and garlands, greenery, and bows on the lights, columns, and balconies. There were also period Christmas decorations and trees in three of the St. Louis history exhibit galleries to reflect different eras in the celebration of the holiday in St. Louis. Fourteen concerts were attended by nearly 2,000 people, and 67 "Christmas in St. Louis" programs attracted nearly 1,500 visitors. [93] The program continued to grow in scope and attendance in 1991. [94]

A 25-foot tall Christmas tree adorns the rotunda of the Old Courthouse for the Victorian Christmas celebration, 1988. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

Scout Programs

In 1987, "Scout Day" was added to the interpretive programming at JEFF. Organized for area Boy Scout troops, the event featured eight different programs and activities in the Museum of Westward Expansion, the Old Courthouse, and on the Memorial grounds. By participating, scouts earned special badges; 1,200 scouts and leaders attended. [95] In 1988, a similar "Girl Scout Day" was developed. Scout days continued until 1991, the Boy Scouts meeting in the autumn and the Girl Scouts in the spring.

Park Rangers Jim Jackson and Andy Kling present a program on mountainmen to boy scouts on the grounds of the Gateway Arch. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

The practice of relating school curriculum requirements to scouting programs was instituted in 1991, and the concepts for Scout Days were revised. A series of multi-session scout programs were developed dealing with park themes and fulfilling Scout handbook badge requirements. A special Gateway Arch scouting patch was designed and awarded for successful completion of badge requirements in 1989. The success of these programs was overwhelming. In 1987, nearly 2,000 scouts participated in less than three months. Attendance at Scout Days tapered off with the advent of regularly offered scout programs, and Scout Days were discontinued in 1991. [96] In addition to the high quality and success of the year-round scout program, JEFF participated in the annual encampment at nearby Beaumont Scout Camp in 1991. Interpreters attended stations at the camp, allowing scouts to participate in a variety of activities related to westward expansion. Approximately 2,500 scouts enjoyed the two-day event. [97]

Union Station Urban Initiative Project

Another unique program, begun in 1987, was the park's Union Station Urban Initiative pilot project which was developed as a way to bring the National Park system to St. Louis residents and visitors at the new Union Station shopping mall. Nearly 30,000 public contacts per year were made at the Union Station store by 1991, a significant projection of the Park Service message outside JEFF. The project matured into a seven-day-per-week summer program, and continued on weekends throughout the winter months through 1991. [98] Mark Engler noted:

Union Station gives us the chance to inject themes outside of our immediate themes, such as Presidential Parks, biological diversity, and firefighting. It is a place to experiment, to learn new methods, and to communicate a variety of ideas and management objectives. Here is the perfect place to tell the public about the Park Service as an agency. We can tell people how their parks and recreation areas are being managed, and ways in which they can help preserve and improve their national heritage as embodied in the national parks. [99]

Victorian Fourth of July

In 1991, a new program was initiated at the Old Courthouse for the Fourth of July. Historically authentic decorations adorned the rotunda; handouts regarding historic Fourth of July celebrations in St. Louis were made available to the public; and a local band played popular patriotic music of the mid-19th century. Interpreters in period costume lent a special flair to the occasion, reading the Declaration of Independence and recreating a Frederick Douglass speech. The decorations were capped with a 36' by 20' United States flag of the pre-Civil War era, on loan from Fort Smith National Historic Site. [100]

Other Programs

Interpreters included interpretation of the U.S. Constitution in appropriate programs during the summer months of 1987. The traveling play "Four Little Pages" visited Tucker Theater for nine performances in the first part of July. A Mark Twain impersonator gave free programs during the locally proclaimed "Mark Twain Week" in December. [101]

A 37-star American flag hangs in the rotunda of the Old Courthouse for the Victorian Fourth of July Celebration, 1991. NPS photo by Al Bilger.

A Fur Trade Symposium (sponsored by JNEHA) was held in November of 1989, which included outdoor living history activities and was attended by 20,000 people. [102]

Throughout the summer months, beginning in 1980, rangers periodically presented puppet shows based on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. With the acquisition of a new puppet stage in 1986, occasional performances were held in the Explorers Room in the Gateway Arch visitor center, and during an average summer day drew 2,000 visitors. They were an excellent way to bring the history of the park and the Park Service message to a young audience. [103] Regularly scheduled puppet shows began in 1990.

Women's History Week (March 11-17) was commemorated in 1990 with two special performances by a local theatrical troupe, the Holy Roman Repertory Company, entitled "Taking Heart: Women on the Frontier." Special exhibits and programs with an accent on women's history were employed during the early 1990s, organized by the park's federal women's program coordinator. [104]

Special Events

Ceremonies were held in May 1985 honoring former JEFF Superintendent and NPS Director George B. Hartzog, Jr., with the formal dedication and naming of the Gateway Arch visitor center in his honor. The dedication was attended by many of Mr. Hartzog's friends as well as his family. The morning of the dedication, Mr. Hartzog suffered what was believed to have been a heart attack and was unable to attend. William Penn Mott, who was sworn in as NPS director within a couple of days of the event, was present for the ceremony. [105]

25th Anniversary of the Gateway Arch

October 28, 1990 marked the 25th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch. This milestone was celebrated with a variety of events and activities throughout the year. In February, Southwestern Bell distributed 2.5 million phone directories which featured a front cover dedicated to the Arch's silver anniversary. A student essay contest with the theme "Gateway Arch — Symbol of the American Pioneering Spirit" was sponsored by the Jefferson National Expansion Historical Association in honor of the 25th anniversary. A two-day symposium, "The River and the City: Riverfront Development in American Cities," was featured in October, and examined how the building of the Gateway Arch sparked the redevelopment of downtown St. Louis.

In addition, three special exhibits dedicated to the Arch's silver anniversary were presented. "Gateway Art" was conceived and built by the park's interpretive, exhibit, and maintenance staffs. It featured an eclectic assortment of items borrowed from local businesses and collectors which presented the Arch as symbol and icon for the people and city of St. Louis. The exhibit demonstrated the ways in which the Arch image became a pervasive part of the area's popular culture. The "Gateway Art" exhibit was moved from the special exhibit gallery at the Gateway Arch and re-assembled for display at the Old Courthouse through October 1991.

The local affiliates of the three major television networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, featured 30-minute to one-hour specials about the Arch on the anniversary date. National programs such as Charles Kuralt's CBS Sunday Morning and the ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings featured Arch anniversary segments. Also, Good Morning America broadcast from the riverfront as part of its salute to the Arch's 25th anniversary.

Logo used for the silver anniversary of the Gateway Arch, 1990

The 25th anniversary celebration culminated on October 28 with a public celebration which featured a "March to the Arch" ending on the riverfront. There, visitors enjoyed music provided by the Military Airlift Command Band from Scott Air Force base in Illinois, and a local band which featured music from 1965, the year the Arch was completed. National Park Service Director James Ridenour and local dignitaries spoke briefly about the significance of the occasion, silver anniversary commemorative medallions were distributed to visitors and participants, and the festivities ended with a brilliant fireworks display at dusk. [106]

The 75th Anniversary of the National Park Service

Great attention was given to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the National Park Service at JEFF. Nine regions contributed more than 40 interpreters, and the National Capitol Region sent two U.S. Park Police officers to participate in this program, which coincided with the 1991 Veiled Prophet Fair. [107] Mark Engler recalled:

The NPS was looking for a place to showcase the National Park System for the anniversary. The VP Fair Foundation made an offer to NPS Deputy Director Herb Cables to host the anniversary showcase, which he accepted. The interpretive division was given the task of insuring that the NPS showcase was a success. We had every region except the North Atlantic Region participating, along with the U.S. Park Police, and Harpers Ferry Center. Almost every park in the country provided information, exhibits, or staff. Over 70,000 people participated in one of the NPS programs during the three day event. In addition, a new educational trunk on the NPS was developed, along with a new Partnership Program. [108]

Aided by large crowds who attended the fair, visitors enjoyed three days of interpretive vignettes representing the diversity found in parks as far away as Alaska and as close as the Ozarks. Four large tents housed exhibits, talks, travel information, brochures, costumed performances and demonstrations. [109]

The park staff conceived, designed, and built a special exhibit for the occasion entitled "The National Park Service: 75 Years in the Making." The exhibit featured a brief history of the National Park Service and emphasized its changing role and responsibilities since its inception in 1916. "The exhibit was opened on June 15 by Jim Fowler of TV's Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and received much media attention," continued Mark Engler. "This was a perfect opportunity to showcase the system and the people of the NPS." [110]

As additional parts of JEFF's observance, special interpretive programs were presented at St. Louis' Union Station on August 24 and 25. Rangers from parks across the country were invited to participate. Mark Engler recalled that "The actual anniversary of the NPS, August 25, was showcased at Union Station. Stew Fritts from the Grand Canyon was here, and several people from Ozarks National Scenic Riverway." [111]

The NPS 75th Anniversary Symposium was held at Vail, Colorado, in 1991. Four JEFF interpreters were invited to attend this event, and presented costumed interpretive programs highlighting westward expansion topics. Their 45-minute presentation provided a glimpse of U.S. expansion set in the same geographic location, but at different times in history. Changes in the landscape were reflected through the eyes of a mountainman, frontier artist, soldier, and an overlander's wife. Many of the changes discussed in the program were those which historically prompted the creation of national parks. [112]