This week our virtual road trip takes us back to my roots, St. Louis, Missouri, where I was born and lived for seven years and where much of my extended family still lives. In fact, if this were not a virtual road trip, I could have attended the Meers family reunion that takes place every August, just across the Missouri River in St. Charles.
While St. Louis has quite a few numismatic connections, our focus on this trip will be the Inside the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank, right downtown. The website (www.stlouisfed.org/inside-the-economy-museum) describes the attraction as follows:
“The economy. We hear about it every day, but how much do we actually know about it? The award-winning Inside the Economy® Museum inside the historic Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis will immerse you in a one-of-a-kind experience that explains the economy, and your role in it, in a fun and interactive way.
“Engage in a hands-on journey through nearly 100 exhibits that are brought to life through interactive displays, games, sculptures and videos.”
The museum is free and open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. In addition, the St. Louis Fed is located just a couple of blocks from the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial along the Mississippi River, location of the iconic Gateway Arch and other sights.
Nearby Attractions:
Forest Park: Location of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition and World’s Fair. Now home to the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum (housed in the Palace of Fine Arts building from the World’s Fair). Numismatically connected, of course, through the commemorative gold coins that were struck for the occasion. (www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/Forest-Park.cfm)
Anheuser Busch Brewery tour (http://www.budweisertours.com/locations/st-louis-missouri.html)
Magic House Children’s Museum (www.magichouse.org)
