1204 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 200-5348
The initiative to construct a memorial plaza and memorial building to honor the gallant sons and daughters of Missouri, and of our city, who "made the supreme sacrifice in the World War", began in 1923. Over the course of several years, the City of St. Louis and its citizens raised money for the project. Under the leadership of Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, and with some funds coming from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (Project No. 5098), the construction of the building, development of the memorial plaza, and improvements to the parks began on October 21, 1935 and the memorial and museum officially opened on Memorial Day, May 30, 1938. "This magnificent edifice, erected as a perpetual reminder of the valor and sacrifice that has enabled America to live, will spur us on as a people to make America greater. We, who live, because others have died, should make of this shrine a place of love and a monument of peace." - Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, May 30, 1938 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came to St. Louis to dedicate the site for the Soldiers Memorial building on October 14, 1936. “…Here will rise a fitting structure—a symbol of devoted patriotism and unselfish service. We in America do not build monuments to war: we do not build monuments to conquests; we build monuments to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice in war—reminders of our desire for peace. The memory of those, whom the war called to the Beyond, urges us to consecrate the best that is in us to the service of country in times of peace. We best honor the memory of those dead by striving for Peace, that the terror of the days of war will be with us no more. May the beauty of this monument, which will rise on this site, cast a beneficent light on the memories of our comrades, may a substantial structure typify the strength of their purpose, and may it inspire future generations with a desire to be of service to their fellows and their country.” Seemingly, the poignancy of the President’s words were not lost on his audience: The quality and pride of craftsmanship, the careful attention to detail and design, confirm the depth of commitment and steadfast appreciation of Great Depression-era St. Louisans for those who served in the armed forces—veterans—and for those who served to the last measure of their lives—who made “The Supreme Sacrifice.” Further, these St. Louisans did not forget the families, understanding that war reaches beyond the battlefield, to the American home, with lasting effect long after peace treaties are signed. Here are a few architectural features to notice the next time you visit Soldiers Memorial. The quoted material is as described in a very early guide book, published by Mason Printing Company, St. Louis: * Exterior walls of the building itself: Of Bedford limestone, from Bedford Indiana. * Outside, looking up, trimming the building just below the second floor balcony: “On the facing of the parapet, surrounding the upper promenade, are carved medallions representing infantrymen, marines, tank operators, sailors and the other divisions of service.” (p. 14) * Outside, large sculptured, limestone figures flanking the stairs: “Four magnificent sculptured stone figures, two on the south side [Chestnut street side], representing Courage [male figure] and Vision [female figure]; two on the north side [Pine street side], representing Loyalty [male figure] and Sacrifice [female figure]. These massive, beautiful figures are the work of Walker Hancock, a native St. Louisan.” (p. 14) * Going up the stairs to the entrance and under the covered atrium area, the Cenotaph: “Of black granite resting upon a base of Bedford stone. Carved upon [the cenotaph] are 1075 names of soldiers and nurses from our city, who made the supreme sacrifice [referring to WWI].” (p.11) * In the covered atrium area, looking up: Gold Star Mother mosaic ceiling: Probably designed and installed by the Ravenna Mosaic Company, St. Louis—the same company that did the mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica on Lindell. Note that lights embedded inside the cenotaph shine upwards onto the ceiling at night—to highlight the detail and color of the tiles. As stated in the Mason Printing guide book: “Large flood lights in the hollowed center of the Cenotaph illuminate the ceiling which is of glass mosaic in red, gold and silver. Centered in the ceiling is a large gold star, dedicated to the mothers of St. Louisans who died in the war.” (p. 11) * Elevator and stairway, located in the west museum lobby, north end and south end, respectively: “Access to the upper part [second floor] of the Memorial is by automatic elevator, which is completely paneled in American Walnut [probably from Missouri]. There is also a magnificent modernistic stairway, the walls of which are napoleon gray marble from Phoenix, MO. The treads and risers are of terrazzo. Modernistic aluminum rails and lighting fixtures create a pleasing and entrancing atmosphere.” (p.17) * Entrance doors and museums: “There are two museums, east and west sides, at the entrance to which are modernistic aluminum light standards. The doors to the museums are made of heavy plate glass, encased in frames of aluminum and alloys that produce a soft, satin silver finish. The floors of the museum[s] are of terrazzo, while the nine-foot wainscoating [in the museums] is of St. Genevieve [Missouri] rose marble, with Belgian blue marble as a trim. The grill work over the doors and the 28-foot windows in the museums is of aluminum.” (p. 15) * Basement area where CEMA offices are currently located: “On the ground floor is the assembly room used by the Gold Star Mothers and other war organizations of women. The assembly room accommodates 300 persons.” (p. 18) Note also that the U.S.O. held events in the basement area before CEMA and before the U.S.O. moved to Lambert Airport. The Soldiers' Memorial was designed by St. Louis architectural firm Mauran, Russell & Crowell, in the Classical style, but with limited ornamentation. Its entrances are flanked by four monumental sculptural groups carved in Bedford stone, representing figures of Loyalty, Vision, Courage and Sacrifice. Created by sculptor Walker Hancock they stand, with their horses, on the North and South sides of the building. Ornamental pylons on the terrace level name major World War I battles in which St. Louisans participated. 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 1,075 St. Louisans who lost their lives in World War I.
St. Patrick Center is building permanent, positive change by helping hundreds of families each year move into permanent HOMES; by placing hundreds of people each year into full-time and part-time JOBS; and by providing HEALTH services to hundreds of people each year dealing with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
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Founded in 2003 by Max and Colleen Starkloff, the Starkloff Disability Institute works on changing societal attitudes and perceptions about people with disabilities through activities that send a positive message about living with disability in order to create a world that welcomes disabled people. The Institute does this through various projects which disseminate a positive message about living with disability: * The Disability Studies Initiative * The Disability History Project * Universal Design Summit * Direct Action * The Next Big Step VISION When people understand disability, they will join our efforts to make it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy full participation in the communities where they live. GOALS Our goals include the following: * Using public dialogue to expose the misconceptions that prevent people with disabilities from taking charge of their own lives. * Disseminating a positive message about living with disability in the St. Louis region. * Creating educational programs to inform various segments of the St. Louis community about disability and preparing the next generation to view disability as a normal part of life. * Developing leadership opportunities for people with disabilities in the St. Louis region. * Conducting research in areas that will further our mission to prepare ourselves to provide information and advocacy with respect to public policy, community planning, and social justice. * Working with disabled and non-disabled individuals and organizations - employers, churches, businesses, governments, foundations, politicians, schools, medical professionals, and others - to develop attitudes and actions that will ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity for full participation in society. These goals are grounded in the Values that define the Starkloff Disability Institute. Values and Beliefs * Attitudes can be changed, just like policies and laws. * Changing attitudes may well be the single biggest barrier standing between people with disabilities and full participation in society. * Changing attitudes must be … THE NEXT BIG STEP The work of the Starkloff Disability Institute is grounded in the following values: * All people should have equal opportunity to live, work, and participate fully in society. * People with disabilities should be perceived as equals in society. * Most people with disabilities and their families should know that they can make the choice to live more independently. * Public policy impacts the ability of people with disabilities to live independently. * We have a responsibility to train disabled leaders to advocate effectively for disability rights issues. * The study of disability history and culture are essential to understanding the role of disability in our society. * There is individual and systemic discrimination against people with disabilities, which must be acknowledged if we are to understand its impact and work to eliminate it. * People with disabilities don't want pity; they want acceptance, support, and full engagement with life. * It is our responsibility to educate corporations and public and private entities on ways to include people with disabilities. Collaboration and partnership are keys to our success. History Max and Colleen Starkloff established the Starkloff Disability Institute in October 2003 to take their work in the field of disability in a new direction. After founding Paraquad, Inc. in 1970, one of the nation's leading independent living centers, the Starkloffs wanted to dedicate the balance of their careers to enhancing opportunities for disabled people to achieve acceptance, independence, and full engagement with life. Many non-profit independent living centers and other disability oriented organizations, in the St. Louis area and the nation, work to improve the lives of people with disabilities through direct service activities that prepare them to live independently, and advocate for services that promote access to housing, transportation, education, personal assistance services, health care and employment. For more about independent living centers, see www.ilru.org. In short, these organizations help people with disabilities get out into the world. How SDI is different from Paraquad and other disability focused organizations. * Paraquad and other disability focused organizations teach people with disabilities to live independently in society. * SDI teaches society to accept people with disabilities. Prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, President George H. W. Bush said, "People with disabilities are the poorest, least educated, and largest minority in America." At that time, two thirds of Americans with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 64 were not working at all, although most said that they wanted to work. Seventeen years later, in spite of significant improvements won through ADA, President Bush's description remains accurate. FACTS: * 18+ percent of America's population is disabled. That's more than 1 out of 5 of our families, friends, and neighbors. * 69 percent of disabled people, age 16 - 64, are unemployed. Compare that to our current US unemployment "crisis" of 7 percent. * People with disabilities continue to be the highest unemployed and underemployed of any social category - by far. While 92 of the Fortune 100 companies have workplace diversity policies, disability is not consistently a diversity measure. Only 32 of these policies expressly mention people with disabilities.
How do we do it? We provide technical assistance to help neighborhood organizations realize and maintain their visions of positive change. We partner with neighborhood organizations to develop housing and other improvements to revitalize neighborhoods. We provide development consulting and historic preservation consulting services, as well as mapping and database management services, empowering both nonprofit organizations and for-profit developers to effect sustainable neighborhood revitalization. We provide pre-development funding to enable nonprofit organizations to begin work on difficult, important redevelopment projects where conventional financing is not available. We are a conduit for knowledge between organizations, residents, and institutions facing similar struggles and working toward similar goals, bringing consistency to the region-wide community development process. We make a difference!
Trailnet provides bicycling and livability programs and events to diverse groups of people. Hallmark programs include Safe Routes to School, Earn 2 Bikes, TravelGreen, Bicycle Fun Club, and Cultural Tours. -Trailnet’s outreach and engagement activities reach individuals from all demographics, backgrounds, and socioeconomic categories, confirming that active transportation is for anyone and everyone. -We help make non-motorized commuting a feasible choice for anyone. -All of our programs focus on educating and encouraging people of all ages to travel throughout their community on bike and on foot. Active, vibrant communities are healthier and safer. -Trailnet’s Bicycle Fun Club is one of the most active bike event programs in the nation and serves up to 10,000 recreational bicyclists annually. -Our TravelGreen program engages and educates those ready to make the switch to active transportation by using their bikes for more than recreation. We build and nurture commuter networks that move people closer to their goals – whether it’s to become healthier, save money, protect the environment, or just to have fun. -All Trailnet programs respond to the shocking statistics that 2/3 of all American adults are either obese or overweight. This holds significant economic value since this “weigh-in” increases the cost of health care for everyone, impacts attendance at work and school due to related illness, and increases fuel usage because vehicles are carrying more weight. Trailnet assists municipalities in designing streets, sidewalks, and trails that allow and encourage people to walk and bike safely through their community. -Trailnet’s community planning team works closely with community leaders, residents, and stakeholders to create safer, healthier, and more active communities. -Between 2001 and 2011, more than 688,000 pedestrians in the U.S. were injured – a number equivalent to a pedestrian being struck by a motorized vehicle every 7 minutes. In Missouri, bicycle related injuries represent more than 10% of all roadway injuries. These numbers present an imperative need for communities to address the safety of all their citizens. -To date we have partnered with 26 municipalities, creating plans that attract and retain residents, stimulate economic development, and improve community health. Trailnet’s Healthy, Active and Vibrant Communities (HAVC) initiative was created in partnership with the Missouri Foundation for Health. It provides opportunities and access to healthy, active living for residents of urban, rural, and suburban communities. -Trailnet’s HAVC initiative focuses at the policy level to produce the farthest-reaching and longest-term solutions to obesity, especially in low-income communities. It includes proven strategies of policy change affecting the built environment and building social networks around healthy lifestyles. -The HAVC initiative has received national recognition as an “emerging intervention” that holds promise for replication. It’s been developed in 11 diverse communities in St. Louis and across the state. -Trailnet staff participates in federal, state, and local policy advocacy, working with partners to draft and file policy, educate policymakers, and promote health- and safety-related initiatives to the public. -Trailnet participated in the passage of two recent St. Louis City ordinances: the Form Based Code ordinance that creates more walkable, bikeable communities, and the Safe Streets ordinance that protects people who walk and bike from endangerment and assault.
The Artica festival is unlike any other festival in St. Louis. From the unique post-industrial setting to the interactive nature of the event, Artica lives and breathes creativity and innovation. We have taken a very unconventional space that is decaying and ignored and turned it into a playground for artists and participants of all ages. Every person who attends must interact in some way... simply getting to the event requires interaction with the landscape and its history. There is no vending, nothing to be bought or sold. We are not selling you funnel cakes and beer; we are providing you a canvas for self expression. People come out and camp for days to further immerse themselves in the event taking food and other parts of everyday life and making it part of the creative experience, by cooking as performance for example. There are no limitations on what a person can experience or express, barring illegal or unsafe activity. The event has been created with the simple hope of engaging our community to create using whatever is at their disposal. Many people who attend Artica are not artists, they are not unconventional people or radical thinkers, yet they come to the event and find a place filled with all manors of people and projects from marching bands to yogis to fire performers to engineers. From this there is a sense of real unity and a challenge to think of each person as a part of ones community. No matter a person’s artistic ability they are encouraged to create something, anything, even if it is a boat made from a cantaloupe with a straw mooring and a hanky sail to carry in the Boat of Dreams parade and release onto the river. Seasoned artists are challenged to do something interactive when they may only usually do oil on canvas or clay sculptures. Through the artistic expression and inclusion that takes place at Artica each participant, volunteer, artist and community member is challenged and inspired by the small parts of the whole. The mission of Artica is to inspire the people of the St. Louis metropolitan area to celebrate their unity and diversity, build community and develop a sense of respect for themselves and their surroundings by providing opportunities for creative self-expression and communication. Artica accomplishes this by creating an annual arts festival focused on interactivity and participation that is free to all and open to the public. There is no vending or selling at the event. Therefore there are no economic limitations on who can attend. Artica creates a space that fosters the sharing of ideas and of the free exchange of each contributor's chosen art form. Every individual is encouraged and enabled to create art or to interact in artistic projects. This creates a sense of community, expands individual boundaries, and allows those who wouldn't consider themselves artists or creators to experience artistic expression via unconventional outlets. The festival certainly brings together people from different backgrounds, whether it be religious, ethnic or socio-economic, and allows them to find a common ground and interest among their differences. Every person who attends the event must interact with the landscape and the area's physical elements. That is how Artica lives its mission each year. Our long range goals are to continue providing this space and event with greater collaboration from our community. We are on our way.
St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), in coordination with the Missouri State Department of Economic Development (DED), Division of Workforce Development (DWD), the City of St. Louis Mayor's office and a number of partners, operates SLATE Missouri Career Centers, which connect employers to a skilled workforce and provide training and placement services to the City's adult workforce.
Programs and Initiatives: Leadership St. Louis® Youth Leadership St. Louis Experience St. Louis Coro™ Fellows Program in Public Affairs Coro™ Women In Leadership Program Connect With St. Louis Emerging Leaders Community Policy Forums Breakfast Connections
St. Louis Community College has provided so many people with a transformational experience. We want to hear your story. Visit the Foundation website for information on how to help a current student achieve the same amazing experience: www.stlcc.edu/foundation
Find out more about recent events with ArchCity at http://archcitydefenders.tumblr.com/
These are TEDx salon-style events, and are open to public. We spend the evening listening to local speakers, having a few drinks and discussing/debating the topics. There is no cover charge and drinks are paid for by individuals. ------------------ In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxGatewayArch, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxGatewayArch event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
ITEN was founded in April 2008 to be the catalyst of the St. Louis region’s IT startup ecosystem. We accelerate scalable tech startups with programs for rapid product development, connections to talent, essential networking, and access to funding. The core of our value proposition is enabling experienced entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs build successful, growing tech ventures. These critical connections are formed through direct mentoring access, a curriculum of graduated acceleration programs, and our weekly and monthly networking programs. We serve over 280 startup ventures and involve more than 80 volunteer mentors (many are serial entrepreneurs), and 6 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. ITEN’s programs form a venture roadmap from concept through design, prototype, launch, revenue, funding and rapid scaling. Guidance from serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and important community influencers helps entrepreneurs focus on essential critical tasks and avoid wasted efforts. Access to investors, key service providers and qualified talent means lower barriers to rapid acceleration. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, requiring neither payment nor equity, ITEN is a unique community asset and a proven route to venture success.
In 2003 Anthony and Kim Thompson started the Kwame Foundation. The Kwame Foundation is a non –profit organization that provide young people an opportunity to learn, grow, and become professionals in their chosen careers. To accomplish our mission the Kwame Foundation provides financial assistance, educational mentorships, internship opportunities, and training in careers consistent with those needed to compete in a changing environment. Although we serve students of all races, our target is minority students pursuing post-secondary and graduate degrees who are bright, talented, high-achieving individuals that would not otherwise have an opportunity for higher education. One of the principles upon which Kwame Foundation was founded was to provide opportunities for growth, development and leadership to young professionals. As an extension of that principle – and in alignment with our holistic approach to sustainability – KWAME supports various education and mentorship focused organizations. In addition, through the Kwame Foundation, we endow scholarships at various institutions of higher learning across the country in order to assist in removing the financial barrier that exists for many minority and first generation college students.
Find out more about recent events with ArchCity at http://archcitydefenders.tumblr.com/
Making Disciples Building Congregations For the Life of the World
The Studio houses all media at St. Louis Public Library’s central branch. With over 20,000 CDs and over 4,000 DVDs in The Studio, we have something for everyone, from fiction to non-fiction, feature films and movies for the kids. We even have great TV shows to get you through the week, and educational films for use in the classroom. Our classical and opera music selections are vast, but don’t leave the room without hitting up some jazz or popular music CDs. We have a small collection of local artists from folk to rap, and our indie rock collection is always growing. Not interested in CDs or DVDs? Check out our video games, audiobooks, and playaways. Playaways are digital audiobooks that are great for listening to while you exercise and audiobooks, or books on CD, are perfect for long road trips. Our video game collection has grown to include both Playstation 4 and Xbox One as well! If you can’t find something or have questions about films and filmmakers, flip through one of our reference books on cinema or ask one of The Studio employees for help. If you’re interested in the latest news on music or entertainment, flip through a Billboard magazine, Rolling Stone or Variety, while you listen to some music on your headphones. The Studio hosts a wide range of programs at Central Library throughout the year; we invite you to stop by and check them out or give us a call for more information.
We serve people in Missouri, Illinois and around the world. The New Life Evangelistic Center provides over 150,000 meals and sandwiches, and more than 65,000 nights of emergency overnight shelter every year. We provide 80,000 social service contacts — helping individuals and families throughout mid-America with clothing and food through our free stores, fans, blankets, utility assistance, transportation, medical assistance and housing assistance. The millions of people we serve in the Midwest and around the world include homeless men, women and children, the poor, elderly and families in our communities overwhelmed by the need to provide the basic necessities, and earthquake and hurricane survivors. New Life Evangelistic Center has branches in India and Africa and has long-standing partnerships with organizations in more than 10 countries, including Haiti.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxStLouis brings together the brightest minds in the St. Louis area to spark deep discussion and connection. About TED TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design - is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California nearly 30 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani,Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
St. Patrick Center is building permanent, positive change by helping hundreds of families each year move into permanent HOMES; by placing hundreds of people each year into full-time and part-time JOBS; and by providing HEALTH services to hundreds of people each year dealing with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
Trailnet provides bicycling and livability programs and events to diverse groups of people. Hallmark programs include Safe Routes to School, Earn 2 Bikes, TravelGreen, Bicycle Fun Club, and Cultural Tours. -Trailnet’s outreach and engagement activities reach individuals from all demographics, backgrounds, and socioeconomic categories, confirming that active transportation is for anyone and everyone. -We help make non-motorized commuting a feasible choice for anyone. -All of our programs focus on educating and encouraging people of all ages to travel throughout their community on bike and on foot. Active, vibrant communities are healthier and safer. -Trailnet’s Bicycle Fun Club is one of the most active bike event programs in the nation and serves up to 10,000 recreational bicyclists annually. -Our TravelGreen program engages and educates those ready to make the switch to active transportation by using their bikes for more than recreation. We build and nurture commuter networks that move people closer to their goals – whether it’s to become healthier, save money, protect the environment, or just to have fun. -All Trailnet programs respond to the shocking statistics that 2/3 of all American adults are either obese or overweight. This holds significant economic value since this “weigh-in” increases the cost of health care for everyone, impacts attendance at work and school due to related illness, and increases fuel usage because vehicles are carrying more weight. Trailnet assists municipalities in designing streets, sidewalks, and trails that allow and encourage people to walk and bike safely through their community. -Trailnet’s community planning team works closely with community leaders, residents, and stakeholders to create safer, healthier, and more active communities. -Between 2001 and 2011, more than 688,000 pedestrians in the U.S. were injured – a number equivalent to a pedestrian being struck by a motorized vehicle every 7 minutes. In Missouri, bicycle related injuries represent more than 10% of all roadway injuries. These numbers present an imperative need for communities to address the safety of all their citizens. -To date we have partnered with 26 municipalities, creating plans that attract and retain residents, stimulate economic development, and improve community health. Trailnet’s Healthy, Active and Vibrant Communities (HAVC) initiative was created in partnership with the Missouri Foundation for Health. It provides opportunities and access to healthy, active living for residents of urban, rural, and suburban communities. -Trailnet’s HAVC initiative focuses at the policy level to produce the farthest-reaching and longest-term solutions to obesity, especially in low-income communities. It includes proven strategies of policy change affecting the built environment and building social networks around healthy lifestyles. -The HAVC initiative has received national recognition as an “emerging intervention” that holds promise for replication. It’s been developed in 11 diverse communities in St. Louis and across the state. -Trailnet staff participates in federal, state, and local policy advocacy, working with partners to draft and file policy, educate policymakers, and promote health- and safety-related initiatives to the public. -Trailnet participated in the passage of two recent St. Louis City ordinances: the Form Based Code ordinance that creates more walkable, bikeable communities, and the Safe Streets ordinance that protects people who walk and bike from endangerment and assault.
These are TEDx salon-style events, and are open to public. We spend the evening listening to local speakers, having a few drinks and discussing/debating the topics. There is no cover charge and drinks are paid for by individuals. ------------------ In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxGatewayArch, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxGatewayArch event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
ITEN was founded in April 2008 to be the catalyst of the St. Louis region’s IT startup ecosystem. We accelerate scalable tech startups with programs for rapid product development, connections to talent, essential networking, and access to funding. The core of our value proposition is enabling experienced entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs build successful, growing tech ventures. These critical connections are formed through direct mentoring access, a curriculum of graduated acceleration programs, and our weekly and monthly networking programs. We serve over 280 startup ventures and involve more than 80 volunteer mentors (many are serial entrepreneurs), and 6 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. ITEN’s programs form a venture roadmap from concept through design, prototype, launch, revenue, funding and rapid scaling. Guidance from serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and important community influencers helps entrepreneurs focus on essential critical tasks and avoid wasted efforts. Access to investors, key service providers and qualified talent means lower barriers to rapid acceleration. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, requiring neither payment nor equity, ITEN is a unique community asset and a proven route to venture success.
The initiative to construct a memorial plaza and memorial building to honor the gallant sons and daughters of Missouri, and of our city, who "made the supreme sacrifice in the World War", began in 1923. Over the course of several years, the City of St. Louis and its citizens raised money for the project. Under the leadership of Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, and with some funds coming from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (Project No. 5098), the construction of the building, development of the memorial plaza, and improvements to the parks began on October 21, 1935 and the memorial and museum officially opened on Memorial Day, May 30, 1938. "This magnificent edifice, erected as a perpetual reminder of the valor and sacrifice that has enabled America to live, will spur us on as a people to make America greater. We, who live, because others have died, should make of this shrine a place of love and a monument of peace." - Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, May 30, 1938 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came to St. Louis to dedicate the site for the Soldiers Memorial building on October 14, 1936. “…Here will rise a fitting structure—a symbol of devoted patriotism and unselfish service. We in America do not build monuments to war: we do not build monuments to conquests; we build monuments to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice in war—reminders of our desire for peace. The memory of those, whom the war called to the Beyond, urges us to consecrate the best that is in us to the service of country in times of peace. We best honor the memory of those dead by striving for Peace, that the terror of the days of war will be with us no more. May the beauty of this monument, which will rise on this site, cast a beneficent light on the memories of our comrades, may a substantial structure typify the strength of their purpose, and may it inspire future generations with a desire to be of service to their fellows and their country.” Seemingly, the poignancy of the President’s words were not lost on his audience: The quality and pride of craftsmanship, the careful attention to detail and design, confirm the depth of commitment and steadfast appreciation of Great Depression-era St. Louisans for those who served in the armed forces—veterans—and for those who served to the last measure of their lives—who made “The Supreme Sacrifice.” Further, these St. Louisans did not forget the families, understanding that war reaches beyond the battlefield, to the American home, with lasting effect long after peace treaties are signed. Here are a few architectural features to notice the next time you visit Soldiers Memorial. The quoted material is as described in a very early guide book, published by Mason Printing Company, St. Louis: * Exterior walls of the building itself: Of Bedford limestone, from Bedford Indiana. * Outside, looking up, trimming the building just below the second floor balcony: “On the facing of the parapet, surrounding the upper promenade, are carved medallions representing infantrymen, marines, tank operators, sailors and the other divisions of service.” (p. 14) * Outside, large sculptured, limestone figures flanking the stairs: “Four magnificent sculptured stone figures, two on the south side [Chestnut street side], representing Courage [male figure] and Vision [female figure]; two on the north side [Pine street side], representing Loyalty [male figure] and Sacrifice [female figure]. These massive, beautiful figures are the work of Walker Hancock, a native St. Louisan.” (p. 14) * Going up the stairs to the entrance and under the covered atrium area, the Cenotaph: “Of black granite resting upon a base of Bedford stone. Carved upon [the cenotaph] are 1075 names of soldiers and nurses from our city, who made the supreme sacrifice [referring to WWI].” (p.11) * In the covered atrium area, looking up: Gold Star Mother mosaic ceiling: Probably designed and installed by the Ravenna Mosaic Company, St. Louis—the same company that did the mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica on Lindell. Note that lights embedded inside the cenotaph shine upwards onto the ceiling at night—to highlight the detail and color of the tiles. As stated in the Mason Printing guide book: “Large flood lights in the hollowed center of the Cenotaph illuminate the ceiling which is of glass mosaic in red, gold and silver. Centered in the ceiling is a large gold star, dedicated to the mothers of St. Louisans who died in the war.” (p. 11) * Elevator and stairway, located in the west museum lobby, north end and south end, respectively: “Access to the upper part [second floor] of the Memorial is by automatic elevator, which is completely paneled in American Walnut [probably from Missouri]. There is also a magnificent modernistic stairway, the walls of which are napoleon gray marble from Phoenix, MO. The treads and risers are of terrazzo. Modernistic aluminum rails and lighting fixtures create a pleasing and entrancing atmosphere.” (p.17) * Entrance doors and museums: “There are two museums, east and west sides, at the entrance to which are modernistic aluminum light standards. The doors to the museums are made of heavy plate glass, encased in frames of aluminum and alloys that produce a soft, satin silver finish. The floors of the museum[s] are of terrazzo, while the nine-foot wainscoating [in the museums] is of St. Genevieve [Missouri] rose marble, with Belgian blue marble as a trim. The grill work over the doors and the 28-foot windows in the museums is of aluminum.” (p. 15) * Basement area where CEMA offices are currently located: “On the ground floor is the assembly room used by the Gold Star Mothers and other war organizations of women. The assembly room accommodates 300 persons.” (p. 18) Note also that the U.S.O. held events in the basement area before CEMA and before the U.S.O. moved to Lambert Airport. The Soldiers' Memorial was designed by St. Louis architectural firm Mauran, Russell & Crowell, in the Classical style, but with limited ornamentation. Its entrances are flanked by four monumental sculptural groups carved in Bedford stone, representing figures of Loyalty, Vision, Courage and Sacrifice. Created by sculptor Walker Hancock they stand, with their horses, on the North and South sides of the building. Ornamental pylons on the terrace level name major World War I battles in which St. Louisans participated. 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 1,075 St. Louisans who lost their lives in World War I.