Museum of Westward Expansion, Saint Louis

The Museum of Westward Expansion in Saint Louis is an impressive monument that pays tribute to the explorers, pioneers, cowboys, and Native Americans who helped shape the United States. The museum's exhibits cover a broad range of topics and are displayed in a circular pattern, taking up as much space as a football field. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, including mounted animal specimens, an authentic American Indian tipi, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition, complete with artifacts, quotes, and photographs.

One of the museum's highlights is its permanent exhibition, which consists of 33 large photo murals that describe the campsites and other significant areas explored during the investigation of the region. However, perhaps the most interesting installation in the museum is the collection of Peace Medals. The American Indian Peace Medal Exhibit features animated figures telling the story of Peace Medal Diplomacy in the U.S. during the nineteenth century. These medals were presented to First Nations’ Chiefs by representatives of the European colonizers, and the exhibit sheds light on this little-known aspect of American history.

The Museum of Westward Expansion is part of the National Park complex known as Jefferson National Expansion and is located below the iconic Gateway Arch. The museum covers a wide variety of topics related to American history, from the colonizers to the natives, and the other nationalities that came pouring into the ‘new world’. It is a dream destination for American history buffs, but it is also sure to be entertaining for anyone interested in the fascinating story of the United States' westward expansion.

Why You Should Visit:
A nice balance of types of exhibits: big, small, interactive, simple, complex...
Rather than simply glorifying the westward expansion as an achievement, the exhibits pay great respect to native Americans, Mexicans, slaves, women, and others who were not always treated well.