Jefferson National Parks Association

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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 retai

l 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.

08/11/2026

The landscape near the Knife River in North Dakota was once home to unique Indigenous settlements. For 500 years, the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara people lived in carefully engineered circular earthlodges.

Sturdy cottonwood posts and beams supported layers of willow branches, prairie grass, and thick sod. Inside, a central fire provided warmth and a place to cook, while an opening in the roof allowed smoke to escape. Hidden cache pits stored dried corn, beans, squash and sunflower seeds, helping families preserve food year-round.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site invites visitors to step inside a furnished, reconstructed earthlodge and experience how generations of families lived.

Learn more and start planning a visit to North Dakota: https://www.jnpa.com/763/partner-knife-river-indian-villages-national-historic-site.htm

📸 Credit: NPS / Victoria Stauffenberg

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08/07/2026

It’s National Farmers Market Week! 🌽 Agriculture and farming have historically been a large part of everyday life, especially in rural Missouri.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park is a prime example. Early French-Canadian settlers were drawn to the area for its rich agricultural land known as “Le Grand Champ” or “the Big Field.” These settlers in Ste. Genevieve and the surrounding areas developed a unique farming system modeled after agricultural practices used in northern France during the Middle Ages.

Whether you’re stopping by your local market or planning a visit to Ste. Genevieve, take a moment this week to recognize the vital role farmers play in our nation’s food systems.

Learn more about early Ste. Genevieve in our blog: https://jnpa.blog/2024/03/05/french-lesson/

08/06/2026

How did stars in the night sky help guide African American freedom seekers in the 1800s? Join our partners at New Philadelphia National Historic Site this Saturday evening as they explore how the illuminating night sky supported freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.

Alongside the University of Illinois Springfield ’s Astronomy Department, National Park Service rangers will share local Underground Railroad stories. Visitors can also enjoy free telescope viewing!

📅 Saturday, Aug. 8 | 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
📍 Pittsfield City Lake Campground | Pittsfield, Illinois
🔗Plan for your visit and learn more: https://shorturl.at/prDmL

New Philadelphia Association

08/04/2026

Our partnership with Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site helps visitors experience 19th-century St. Louis history in the modern day.

With support from JNPA, the park has expanded opportunities for visitors to enjoy youth workshops, guest lectures, living history performances, Concerts at the Park, the annual Night Walk, and the park’s monthly e-newsletters.

This summer, our partnership helped the park’s summer concert series experience record attendance.

Explore our impact across America’s national parks at https://www.jnpa.com/715/what-we-do.htm.

08/03/2026

This Sunday, Aug. 9, we celebrate one year of our “Iconic Conversations” speaker series with Gateway Arch National Park. 🎉

Did you know that in 1780, the site of present-day St. Louis was the location of the westernmost battle of the American Revolution? Historian and scholar Peter Kastor, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis University in St. Louis, will share the inside scoop on this pivotal chapter in our city’s history.

Join us at the Old Courthouse this Sunday, August 9, at 2 p.m.
The Iconic Conversations series continues in September, so stay tuned for the upcoming schedule. Learn more about this Sunday’s discussion at https://www.jnpa.com/751/speakers.htm.

07/31/2026

Our friends at Great Rivers Greenway and Gateway Arch Park Foundation want to hear from you.

If you live in the St. Louis region, take a few minutes to share your ideas for the future of the St. Louis riverfront. Your feedback will help shape plans for one of our region's most iconic places and strengthen the connection between the Mississippi River, Gateway Arch National Park and our community. Take the survey here: https://www.archpark.org/st-louis-riverfront-survey

07/30/2026

In Springfield, Illinois, the 1908 Race Riot mural preserves and interprets the memory of a painful but pivotal moment in Civil Rights history – one that contributed to the eventual founding of the NAACP.

Created by artist Preston Jackson, the mural continues to spark conversations today. Every Friday this summer, our partners at Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument are hosting “Meetup at the Mural.” Visitors can stop by and talk with park rangers, take part in interactive activities and learn more about this new national monument.

The next meetup is on Friday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=6028770B-9B55-7746-9E3A93723D5FF427

📷: NPS

07/29/2026

Beat the heat during your summer national park visits by stopping inside one of our stores! 🌞

We operate educational museum shops and bookstores at our partner locations including Theodore Roosevelt National Park , Gateway Arch National Park (The Arch Store + the Old Courthouse museum shop), Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site , Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and more.

While you’re visiting our park stores, say hello to our JNPA staff and explore our wide array of apparel, keepsakes, and gifts. Best of all, every purchase supports our partner parks. ❤️

Visit us in-person or shop online at https://www.jnpa.com/cat-698-1-385/shop-by-park.htm

07/27/2026

A year ago, Voyageurs National Park opened the new Crane Lake Visitor Center. ⏳ This milestone created another welcoming entry point for visitors to explore the park’s waterways, forests, night skies, and history. And JNPA helped bring it to life.
The new facility includes a welcome desk, park film, kids’ corner, pop-up exhibits funded by JNPA, as well as our newest park retail space.

As always, it is a privilege to support the educational activities, exhibits, and visitor programs at this remarkable national park.

📖 Read more about our impact: https://www.jnpa.com/715/what-we-do.htm

07/24/2026

America's 250th anniversary is bringing history, music and community together this summer across our partner parks, many of them funded by JNPA! ⬇️

🎆 Visitors to Gateway Arch National Park admired a drone show and fireworks presented by Celebrate St. Louis during the Fourth of July weekend.

📜 New Philadelphia National Historic Site hosted a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors signed a reproduction of the Dunlap Broadside and shared their hopes for America's future on a map of New Philadelphia.

🎺 Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site welcomed the White Haven Brass Quintet who performed patriotic favorites and marching songs once sung by Union soldiers and supporters during the Civil War.

🚢 Mississippi National River and Recreation Area invited visitors to experience the river and its history through special America 250 cruises.

🎨 Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park features interactive exhibits all summer focused on life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and community connection. The celebration continues Aug. 8-9! During the town's Jour de Fete weekend, visitors can explore special Celebrate America 250 exhibits and programming: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=2D0EF570-E9B9-58E1-2CBE16C411B340F4

Address

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

Telephone

+13146781500

Website

http://www.jnpa.com/

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