What we’re about
Are you ready to have some fun discovering new things about St. Louis history? Let's explore some of the coolest places in town and learn about everything from bricks to uranium processing to the stories of lesser-known folks who made St. Louis great.
What to expect:
On each adventure, we will check out one or more of STL's most fascinating historical spots or participate in another historical activity, such as an exhibition, lecture, or performance. Some of our stops will be museums or other established locations, while others may never appear on a tourist map. When possible, we'll gather before or afterward for coffee or a meal to discuss the history and make new friends.
How this meetup works:
Each event posting will include information about the day's plans with an initial meetup location or rendezvous point. Some adventures will take place in a single location (with the option of grabbing a meal before or after), while others may involve multiple stops, and the meal stop may be part of the adventure itself. The event description will include as much of this information as possible.
If the meetup is not a guided tour or other activity organized by a 3rd party, the meetup organizer will provide historical information about the site, what to look for, the site's historical significance, etc.
FAQs:
How to reserve a spot on a tour or other event: Other than public events (such as the monthly history talks), you must RSVP here to attend one of these events. It will show "Going" when you are logged into Meetup and visit a specific event to which you have RSVPed, or "Waitlist" if you are waiting for a spot to open.
You can always check the Meetup to review the status of an event and add yourself to a waiting list if one is available. Unfortunately, Meetup does not allow waiting lists for paid events, so you have to watch for a spot to open. Once a tour is full, the organizer will not admit others (including day-of walk-ons).
Do you have more spaces on ___ tour? Because of the nature of tours, there is often a hard limit to how many people can participate. Spaces will become available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some tours will fill up slowly, while others may fill up within a couple of hours.
Costs: Some of our activities may have an admission or ticket fee charged by a site or tour provider; for others, the organizer may charge a nominal fee. These fees will be listed in the event description. When we go out to a restaurant or cafe, participants will be expected to pay for their own purchases. Having said all this, every effort will be made to keep costs to a minimum.
Accessibility: Although some adventures will require a bit of walking, these are not walking tours, and most should be accessible for people with limited mobility or wheelchairs (if there is an exception to this rule, it will be noted). Unless we're participating in a guided tour by a third party, you can generally go at your own pace. If you have any accessibility concerns, feel free to contact the organizer.
This meetup is part of Unseen St. Louis. Check out https://unseenstlouis.substack.com for more history!
All Unseen STL events are considered to be safe spaces. We celebrate the diversity of our community and will strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Let's visit the National Building Arts Center!
The NBAC is a one-of-a-kind architectural wonderland. Located in nearby Sauget, IL, they have a massive collection of architectural items, many salvaged from buildings prior to demolition. You will see examples of terracotta tiles, stonework, pavers, signage, columns, statues, and more. They also have an extensive library on architecture and the building trades. It's one of my favorite places to visit, so if you like architecture, bricks, art, and/or local history, you'll have a blast!
For this meetup, we will have a private tour at 1:00 pm at the NBAC. The tour is about 75% outdoors and will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Park outside the gates and gather near the main building.
**Tickets will be available beginning Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 PM.**
Accessibility: The NBAC is located at a former steel foundry. The outdoor portion of the tour is on both paved and gravel surfaces. There isn't much walking, but there is a lot of standing. (FYI, the indoor portion is NOT wheelchair accessible, but the outside is.)
Tickets: You must purchase your ticket in advance here on Meetup. Do NOT purchase a tour ticket on the NBAC website. Our tour is strictly limited to the tickets available here. If you can't attend, you can obtain a refund by changing your RSVP prior to the event. No refunds will be available for no-shows.
For more about the NBAC:
http://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/
You can also read my article, Rescuing Architecture, or listen to our recent Unseen STL History talk with Director Michael Allen and Collections Manager Emery Cox.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Tour the National Building Arts Center!National Building Arts Center, Sauget, IL$15.00
Let's visit the National Building Arts Center!
The NBAC is a one-of-a-kind architectural wonderland. Located in nearby Sauget, IL, they have a massive collection of architectural items, many salvaged from buildings prior to demolition. You will see examples of terracotta tiles, stonework, pavers, signage, columns, statues, and more. They also have an extensive library on architecture and the building trades. It's one of my favorite places to visit, so if you like architecture, bricks, art, and/or local history, you'll have a blast!
For this meetup, we will have a private tour at 1:00 pm at the NBAC. The tour is about 75% outdoors and will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Park outside the gates and gather near the main building.
**Tickets will be available beginning Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 PM.**
Accessibility: The NBAC is located at a former steel foundry. The outdoor portion of the tour is on both paved and gravel surfaces. There isn't much walking, but there is a lot of standing. (FYI, the indoor portion is NOT wheelchair accessible, but the outside is.)
Tickets: You must purchase your ticket in advance here on Meetup. Do NOT purchase a tour ticket on the NBAC website. Our tour is strictly limited to the tickets available here. If you can't attend, you can obtain a refund by changing your RSVP prior to the event. No refunds will be available for no-shows.
For more about the NBAC:
http://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/You can also read my article, Rescuing Architecture, or listen to our recent Unseen STL History talk with Director Michael Allen and Collections Manager Emery Cox.
- Take a ride on the Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad!101 Grand Ave, Glencoe, MO$10.00
Join us on a fun outdoor excursion and history chat on the tiniest train in town!
The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad is a 12-inch gauge steam railroad that travels two miles along the scenic Meramec River. The round trip takes about 40 minutes. Operated by an all-volunteer staff, the WF&P was organized as a non-profit in 1939 and began operations near Brown Road and Natural Bridge, and have been in Glencoe since 1961.
We will ride the train as a group (we have 5 cars), and then Mike Lorance, one of the WFPRR volunteers, will chat with our group about the history of the railroad.
Our train departs at 12:15pm; please arrive a few minutes before noon so we can all get our tickets and board the train.
Ages: Although the trains are great fun for young children, this particular event is restricted to people aged 15 and up.
Accessibility: This is accessible to all who can sit on a bench for 45 minutes (no wheelchairs can be on the train itself; they offer special boarding options for people with mobility issues). There is minimal walking from the parking lot to the station.
Tickets: You must purchase a ticket through Meetup—you will not be able to do so at the station on the day of the event.
Note that refunds will be available only through May 17; no refunds will be issued after that date unless the RR suspends operations (see below).
Weather: From the WFPRR website: "For the last 80 years our trains have run rain or shine, and will continue to do so. The vast majority of the ride also takes place through dense tree cover, which provides a natural umbrella. On rainy days, if we are open for operations, we will not provide complimentary rescheduling or cancellations and recommend that riders come prepared with ponchos and/or umbrellas of their own. If we have not suspended operations, any reservation for a rider who chooses not to ride due to weather will be considered a donation to the railroad." In other words, this trip will be rescheduled only in the event of severe weather.
The talk: There is a picnic table where we'll gather after the train ride, but you may wish to bring a folding chair or blanket. You're also welcome to bring snacks or beverages that you can retrieve from your car after the ride (due to limited space, no chairs, coolers, or large bags will be allowed on the train).
- Using the Missouri Historical Society's Library & Research CenterMissouri Historical Society Library & Research Center, St. Louis, MO$3.00
Learn how to access local historical archives! Let's visit the archives at the Missouri Historical Society's Library and Research Center and learn how it all works.
The Library and Research Center is a treasure trove of letters, newspapers, maps, books, historical documents, clothing, and other physical objects that tell the story of the St Louis area and the State of Missouri. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting out, the center is a valuable resource for all kinds of projects, including genealogy, house history, book and article research, and even just personal curiosity. Don't worry if you're new to this — their friendly staff are always ready to assist, no matter how big or small your question is.
During our visit, we'll delve into the different collections and how to access them. The librarians are eager to showcase materials that align with our group's interests, so please mention what you're curious about when you RSVP.
Note: This event will start prior to the official opening of the reading room hours on Saturdays, so for the first half-hour, we will have the space to ourselves.
You are also welcome to stay after the event and use the collection, so bring your notebook or laptop if you'd like. You can also use your phone to photograph materials.
Tickets: The library charges $3 per attendee, and requires a headcount and payment a week before the event. RSVPs will close at that time and no refunds will be processed after that point. If you wish to give your ticket to someone else, please message the organizer (Jackie Dana) with that person's information.
Accessibility: The center is wheelchair accessible, and the event will involve very little walking.
Location and parking: The Center is at 225 S. Skinker Blvd, St, Louis MO 63105. (Note that this is a different building than the museum in Forest Park.) There is a parking lot just south of the building, and you can also park along Skinker. We will meet in the lobby just outside the reading room.
To learn more about the facility and their collections, visit https://mohistory.org/library
