Jefferson National Parks Association

Jefferson National Parks Association For more than 50 years, we have been helping people enjoy, learn about and support America's national parks, public lands, and historic places. Based in St.

You can also follow us on Instagram . Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) is a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Louis, Missouri, we support visitor education, heritage preservation, and cultural programs at 11 public lands and historic sites in the nation’s heartland. JNPA-supported visitor centers, park retail stores, museums, publications, and products serve millions of park visitors each year. Our educational retail model ensures that every book, map, and interpretive product we sell is approved by park staff for historical accuracy and relevance to each park’s themes. Proceeds from our retail sales allow JNPA to invest an average of $3 million annually in our partner parks – funding educational programming, exhibits, preservation projects, and site improvements. JNPA also raises funds through direct donations as well as the sale of Missouri’s specialty Gateway Arch license plates. JNPA is proud to serve these 11 partner parks:
• Gateway Arch National Park (MO)
• President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site (AR)
• Lewis & Clark Visitor Center (NE)
• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (AR)
• Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (MN)
• Missouri National Recreational River (SD)
• New Philadelphia National Historic Site (IL)
• Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument (IL)
• Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park (MO)
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (MO)
• Voyageurs National Park (MN)

Support JNPA’s mission to preserve America’s stories and landscapes for future generations. Learn more and contribute at donate.jnpa.com. Follow us on Instagram () or LinkedIn () for updates, programs and ways to get involved.

National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships and people who help keep America’s public land...
09/26/2026

National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships and people who help keep America’s public lands thriving.

JNPA is honored to be part of the Public Lands Alliance, a network that brings together nonprofit partners working alongside public lands to further conservation, education, and visitor experiences.

From assisting with conservation efforts at parks like Voyageurs National Park to supporting educational programs that connect visitors with history at sites like Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park, JNPA helps its partners care for the places the National Park Service protects.

Learn more about the partnerships and programs that help make this work possible at https://www.jnpa.com/715/what-we-do.htm

On Sept. 23, 1957, nine African American students attempted to enter the all-white Little Rock Central High School in Ar...
09/24/2026

On Sept. 23, 1957, nine African American students attempted to enter the all-white Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, following the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision in 1954.

Their courage marked a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement as the Little Rock Nine helped challenge segregation in American public education and helped advance the pursuit of educational equality for generations to come.

JNPA is proud to support Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site as an educational partner. We honor the Little Rock Nine and their legacy of courage, perseverance, and change.

Read more about the Little Rock Nine and the national park at https://www.jnpa.com/718/partner-little-rock-central-high-school.htm

Happy first day of fall! 🍁The season is beginning to change, with new colors and a new kind of beauty to admire at JNPA ...
09/22/2026

Happy first day of fall! 🍁

The season is beginning to change, with new colors and a new kind of beauty to admire at JNPA partner parks.

Wherever you explore this season, take time to enjoy the landscapes, history, and stories that make our national parks and historic sites special.

What’s on your autumn bucket list this year?

🥁Drum roll, please! Congratulations to Courtney Jean, the winner of JNPA’s end-of-summer photo challenge! Thank you to e...
09/21/2026

🥁Drum roll, please! Congratulations to Courtney Jean, the winner of JNPA’s end-of-summer photo challenge!

Thank you to everyone who shared snapshots from visits to our Missouri partner parks this summer. We loved seeing these places through your lens.

See more photo submissions on the second graphic, and congratulations again to our winner!

⚾ Step up to the plate–or in this case, the Old Courthouse–for the next Iconic Conversations presentation at Gateway Arc...
09/17/2026

⚾ Step up to the plate–or in this case, the Old Courthouse–for the next Iconic Conversations presentation at Gateway Arch National Park.

Author Ed Wheatley will trace St. Louis’ love for “America’s favorite pastime,” from children playing on farm fields and schoolyards to the stars of the major leagues and Negro leagues. Ed grew up in and around baseball and continues to play in senior leagues across the country. As a leader of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, he also works to preserve the history and legacy of the former American League team.

⏰: Sunday, Sept. 27 | 2 p.m.
🔗: Learn more about Iconic Conversations at https://www.jnpa.com/751/speakers.htm.

"Then suddenly it became a term heard around the world, a milestone like Lexington and Concord in man’s long struggle fo...
09/16/2026

"Then suddenly it became a term heard around the world, a milestone like Lexington and Concord in man’s long struggle for freedom and justice.”

Those words from Daisy Gatson Bates framed the recent Aug. 26 program at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

With financial support from JNPA, actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney brought Daisy's story to the stage in a one-woman performance exploring her work as a newspaper publisher, civil rights activist, strategist and trusted adviser to the Little Rock Nine.

The program gave visitors another way to connect with the people, choices and courage behind this pivotal chapter of American history. Phyllis was also recognized by the City of Little Rock, which proclaimed Aug. 22, 2026, "Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Day."

We're honored to partner with Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and support programs that help the community connect more deeply with the people and stories that defined this moment in history.

Learn more about Daisy's life and legacy at https://www.nps.gov/people/daisy-lee-gatson-bates.htm.

The story of the Little Rock Nine continues to challenge, teach and inspire. JNPA is proud to join the National Park Ser...
09/15/2026

The story of the Little Rock Nine continues to challenge, teach and inspire. JNPA is proud to join the National Park Service in supporting the visitor experience and the important stories shared at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

In commemoration of the 69th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine, our partners at the park invite the community to explore constitutional rights, civic engagement and the meaning of equal protection through a series of September programs, including a Constitution Day conversation, a student-led play on the Bill of Rights and an evening program featuring four members of the Little Rock Nine.

Learn more and view the full schedule: https://www.nps.gov/chsc/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Think you know JNPA’s history? We’re putting your knowledge to the test with one question: “What year was JNPA founded?”...
09/09/2026

Think you know JNPA’s history? We’re putting your knowledge to the test with one question: “What year was JNPA founded?”

Check out the second graphic for the answer and then learn more below. 👇

Jefferson National Expansion Historical Association (JNEHA) was founded in 1961 and later changed its name to the JNPA we know today! At the time, the organization focused on supporting Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). Since then, JNPA has grown to support 13 national parks and public lands across seven states.

Learn more about our history at https://www.jnpa.com/697/about.htm

At Voyageurs National Park, protecting the view doesn’t stop at the horizon. Designated as an International Dark Sky Par...
09/08/2026

At Voyageurs National Park, protecting the view doesn’t stop at the horizon.

Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs preserves exceptionally dark skies. The night sky has long been an important cultural, historic, and natural resource in Northern Minnesota, from the Anishinaabe and French-Canadian voyageurs to generations of visitors today.

As a partner of Voyageurs National Park, JNPA supports opportunities that give visitors various ways to connect with the landscapes and stories preserved in Northern Minnesota.

🪐 Experience the night sky at the free Voyageurs Star Party, Sept. 11-12, featuring telescope viewing, constellation tours, ranger programs, canoe outings, and more.

Learn more: https://shorturl.at/lJW44

⏱️📸 Hit us with your best shots!Reminder: You could win a national park prize basket featuring items from our Missouri p...
09/04/2026

⏱️📸 Hit us with your best shots!

Reminder: You could win a national park prize basket featuring items from our Missouri partner parks. JNPA’s end-of-summer photo challenge is wrapping up soon, so submit your photos to enter! Here’s how👇:

📸 Share your favorite photo(s) taken at any of these locations:
• Gateway Arch National Park (outside or inside the Arch and Old Courthouse)
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
• Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

🔁 Submit your photos by:
• Sending them to us via Facebook or Instagram direct message, OR
• Posting them on your own Facebook or Instagram page and tagging National Park Association.

🎟️ Each submitted photo counts as one entry; you may enter multiple photos.

⏰ Entries must be submitted by Monday, Sept. 14.
* By entering, you grant JNPA permission to share, display and reproduce your submitted photos royalty-free for promotional and educational purposes, including on JNPA's social media platforms and other communication channels. JNPA will credit the photographer when a photo is used.

🏆 One winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, Sept.21.

Thanks to Courtney Jean for sharing this photo!

Address

1 S Memorial Drive, Ste 1900
St. Louis, MO
63102

Telephone

+13146781500

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