Celebrating 150 Years of Forest Park
On June 24, 1876, Forest Park opened to "the people of St. Louis…for the enjoyment of yourselves, your children and your children's children forever." Forest Park is turning 150 on Wednesday, June 24, and you get the gift! Join us for anniversary events throughout Forest Park and pick up the new Park Passport offering 150 things to do.
7-9 a.m.: Breakfast in front of the History Museum: Join us for a birthday breakfast pop-up at the Missouri History Museum’s north entrance, featuring coffee and treats from Taste of Amighetti’s. FREE
9-11 a.m.: Missouri History Museum: See STL Walking Tour of the Park. Combine a tranquil guided walk through Forest Park with stories of the (sometimes) raucous, (totally) rule-breaking, and (undoubtedly) inspiring people who have shaped St. Louis history. NOTE: There is an admission cost for this tour.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Sculpture and ice cream at the Art Museum: Saint Louis Art Museum volunteer educators will be stationed in the Museum’s Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden, ready to engage in conversation about the sculptures, including their histories and the processes for installing and caring for artworks in the great outdoors. Free frozen custard from Ted Drewes—another iconic St. Louis destination—will be available while supplies last, starting at noon. FREE
4 - 7 p.m.: Music, food, skating and more by the Boathouse: Join us for a birthday party for the best city park in the country! We’ll have live music, cupcakes, drinks and community skating with Skate Culture! Meet the authors of the new book on Forest Park from Reedy Press. Park in the Visitor Center lots and make your way to the Boathouse Bar and Wine Garden.
More Ways to Celebrate Forest Park at 150
We are grateful to the community partners, creators and fellow park-lovers who are offering the following ways to commemorate Forest Park’s anniversary while supporting our work to restore, maintain and sustain this community treasure.
Book: St. Louis’s Gathering Place Since 1876
St. Louis-based authors Amanda E. Doyle and Cameron Collins have written and illustrated Forest Park: St. Louis’s Gathering Place Since 1876, packed with the history, personalities, events, cultural institutions and civic gumption that have defined the park since its inception.
Purchase by Aug. 31 and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to Forest Park Forever.
Photo Exhibit: Forest park at 150
Steve Springmeyer’s photos of Forest Park will be on exhibit July 1-30, 2026, at the St. Louis Public Library - Schlafly Branch. An artist reception will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, 1:30-3 p.m.
100% of proceeds from sales of work in this exhibit will be donated to Forest Park Forever. To arrange purchase, email springartphoto@gmail.com or call 314-443-4012.
Book: Restoring the Glory, 1986-2026
Picking up where a book by Forest Park Forever co-founder Caroline Loughlin concluded in 1985, author Alan Kretchmer’s Restoring the Glory: Forest Park from 1986 to 2026 chronicles restoration efforts and the Park’s comeback since our nonprofit’s founding.
Kretchmer is donating proceeds from book sales to Forest Park Forever. It can be found on Amazon, or in store at the Missouri History Museum, Left Bank, Subterranean and Leviathan. An author talk will be held on Aug. 6.
History Museum Exhibit - ‘Yours Forever: Forest Park at 150’
For 150 years, Forest Park has hosted pivotal historic moments and countless everyday stories shared by St. Louisans. The Missouri History Museum exhibit, Yours Forever: Forest Park at 150, explores how St. Louisans have used and adapted the park throughout its history and the moments and memories—big and small—that make it special.
Forest Park Forever Membership & Merchandise
Support our nonprofit’s work directly by joining as a member, purchasing a gift membership or tribute, or purchasing a print.
Forest Park poster
St. Louis studio 5BYFIVE Creative has created a series of posters featuring three of the region’s beloved parks. Profits from print sales of these posters go back to the nonprofit organizations that sustain them.