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Stewarding an Icon: Fall Membership Spotlights
As the leaves turn from green to orange and the Arch grounds settle into fall, it’s worth asking: what does it actually take to keep Gateway Arch National Park vital, welcoming, and ready for the more than two million people who visit each year? The answer is the same no matter the season: Our members.
Annual membership is an ongoing commitment to the future of Gateway Arch National Park.
Every Gateway Arch Park Foundation membership funds the work that never stops: maintaining 91 acres of urban park grounds, keeping museum exhibits state-of-the-art, providing top-notch educational experiences, and hosting free community events that bring St. Louis together. Our members are the driving force behind this international icon, and the reason it will remain thriving for the next generation of St. Louisans. Renewing your membership each year means the Foundation can count on your continued support and keep investing in the park’s future.
Hear why some of our members choose to support Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s mission:
"The CityArchRiver Project was such a game changer integrating Gateway Arch National Park with the rest of downtown. That is what initially inspired us to get involved with Gateway Arch Park Foundation. We believe that a vibrant downtown is important and the Foundation provides a variety of activities such as Blues at the Arch, Winterfest and the Winterfest 5K that brings visitors downtown. We are very proud of the renovation of the Old Courthouse, especially the clear and accurate exhibit on the landmark Dred Scott case. When many of us return from a road trip, that first glimpse of Gateway Arch National Park signifies we are officially home. We would encourage everyone to support the Foundation in maintaining the park as a welcoming beacon to the St. Louis region."
- Rhonda and Roy Sorbet, Gateway Arch Park Foundation Members
"Growing up just 15 minutes east of St. Louis, the Gateway Arch has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a young boy, I could look across the river and watch the Arch being built. What stands out most in my memory is seeing the gap in the middle before the two sides were joined. I was fascinated by it then and even today. Whenever I cross the river, I find myself looking over to see the Arch. On a foggy day when the top disappears, it takes me right back to those childhood memories.
Through my career, I have had a number of opportunities to spend time on the Arch grounds. Those experiences have given me a greater appreciation for what the Arch means to this region. My wife and I, on numerous occasions when travelling, tell people that we live just outside of St. Louis. The response is often “St. Louis? Have you been up in the Arch?” That tells you something about the power of the Arch. People from around the world recognize it as the symbol of St. Louis.
Today, I smile every time I cross the river with my grandsons in the car, because they always get excited about who will see the Arch first! Gateway Arch Park Foundation gives that same excitement to people around the world.
I support Gateway Arch Park Foundation because we believe in their stewardship and vision for this great landmark and for the region. I believe the Arch can be a nucleus for tourism, economic development, and recognition of everything the St. Louis region has to offer."
- Richard and Missy Mark, Gateway Arch Park Foundation Eero Saarinen Society Members
"I moved to St. Louis 10 years ago and quickly fell in love with the city. After living and working downtown for several years, the Arch became part of my daily routine. A friend and former Friends Advisory Board member introduced me to the Foundation’s mission, and I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to give back to a city that has given me so much.
As someone who chose St. Louis as my home, I believe in investing in the future of our city. I’m proud to see the Foundation continuing to invest in projects that make downtown St. Louis an even better place to live, work, and visit.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or someone like me who chose to make St. Louis home, supporting the Foundation is a meaningful way to help preserve and enhance one of the city’s most important and iconic places for future generations."
- Han Sauer, Gateway Arch Park Foundation Member and Friends Advisory Board Member
To learn more about Membership, visit archpark.org/membership or contact Maggie Kloppenberg, Manager of Donor Engagement & Stewardship, at maggie.kloppenberg@archpark.org.