Literature Event—The Gateway Arch: An Illustrated Timeline

AUTHOR TALK: JOHN C. GUENTHER, “THE GATEWAY ARCH: AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE”

About the Program

Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum welcomes author, architect, and historian John C. Guenther on Saturday, November 18, 2023, to discuss his new book, “The Gateway Arch: An Illustrated Timeline“.

The book takes a chronological look at the historical foundations of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, beginning in 1699 with the Louisiana Territory, with 90 historical events which led to the realization of the Gateway Arch and the latest refinements to the memorial grounds and new museum.

As John writes in the book’s Introduction: “As impressive as the Gateway Arch is, the story of how this monument came to be is equally remarkable. This book seeks to ‘connect the dots’ of history, illustrating key points in time which led to the creation of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Gateway Arch. Within this context, the reader may better understand and appreciate the importance of this site, the historical events that shaped our nation, region, Missouri, and St. Louis across time, and how the Memorial and Gateway Arch grew out of these events, honoring, celebrating, and raising our awareness of them.”

About the Speaker

Architect John C. Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP holds a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects and was a lecturer in the College of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, where he co-founded and taught Mid-Century Modernism in St. Louis 1930–1970. John serves as president of the Society of Architectural Historians–St. Louis Chapter. He wrote “Missouri’s Architectural Treasures,” published by Missouri Life Magazine; “25 Must-See Buildings in Missouri” for USA TODAY; and the introduction to The Lost St. Louis Riverfront 1930-1943, which documents the historic riverfront architecture removed in anticipation of Gateway Arch National Park.