This page has been optimized for printing through your browser.
Soldiers’ Memorial Military Museum
DESCRIPTION: Soldiers Memorial is St. Louis' tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in this country's wars. The stately building's entrance is flanked by four Bedford stone sculptures by Walker Hancock. They represent virtues in a soldier's life-courage and vision stand at the south stairs and loyalty and sacrifice stand at the north stairs. Ornamental pylons on the terrace level name major World War I battles in which St. Louisans participated.
Two exhibit rooms hold collections of military items--uniforms, photographs, weaponry, war souvenirs and regalia, posters and medals as well as mannequins wearing uniforms.
ADDRESS: 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63101
LOCATION: Downtown
GETTING THERE: Soldier's Memorial is downtown at the corner of Chestnut and 14th Street.
PHONE NUMBER: 314-622-4550
HOURS: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., daily
ADMISSION: Free
HIGHLIGHTS: Inside the building, a 38-foot high ceiling of mosaic tile tops the loggia area. The tiles form a large gold star dedicated to the mothers of St. Louisans who died in wars. A black granite cenotaph in the center of the loggia is inscribed with the names of 1075 St. Louisans who lost their lives in World War I.
Among the items in the exhibit rooms:
- A bell from the USS St. Louis dated 1906.
- A wheel from the cruiser USS St. Louis.
- World War I military uniform.
- US torpedo.
- Photos, postcards and letters from World War I.
- A model of the USS New Jersey.
- Spiked helmets from the Germany army.
Across the street from Soldiers' Memorial is the Court of Honor, an area with several memorials to those who lost their lives in this country's other wars. The Court was dedicated on Memorial Day 1948. Its red granite tablets hold the names of 2,753 St. Louisans who were killed in that war. On either end of the area are monuments--one honoring the 161 St. Louisans who died in the Korean conflict and the other commemorates the 214 St. Louisans who lost their lives in Vietnam.
Across 14th Street from Soldiers' Memorial a fire burns in the American Legion's memorial torch which commemorates the founding of the American Legion in 1919.
WHAT'S NEW: Soldiers' Memorial hosts traveling exhibits periodically. Call for more information.
ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS: St. Louis veterans groups sponsor flag ceremonies on the steps of Soldiers Memorial on most federal holidays. For more information, contact Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum.
HISTORY: The residents of St. Louis voted in 1923 to appropriate $6 million for the purchase of a memorial plaza and monument to commemorate St. Louisans who lost their lives in World War I. It took all of the funds just to purchase the seven-block site. With the funds spent, Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann 10 years later asked residents to raise $1 million to construct the building. The effort was helped with funds from the federal Relief and Recovery Act. Construction began on Oct. 21, 1935. The site was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Oct. 14, 1936. It was opened to the public on Memorial Day, 1938.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY: Handicapped accessible.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: There is a good selection of restaurants in the downtown area.
WHAT'S NEARBY: St. Louis Union Station is nearby as are other downtown attractions including Busch Stadium, the Old Courthouse, the Old Cathedral and the Gateway Arch.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Ralph Wiechert, Superintendent. 314-622-4550
Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com
