About Us

 A Final Salute from the Friends of Jefferson Barracks

Since 1983, the Friends of Jefferson Barracks has served as a guardian and supporter of the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site - a historic post well known and respected in American Military History. For more than 40 years, we have given our time, energy, and funds to the preservation of the historic heritage of Jefferson Barracks. Today, with pride in our accomplishments and sadness at this ending, we share that our organization will officially dissolve on October 31, 2026 just after the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the establishment of the post in 1826. Please mark your calendar for that event - Saturday, October 24, 2026. More details for that event can be found on the Facebook page for the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site

This decision did not come easily. For many of our members, service with The Friends has been much more than voluntary service to a cause - it has been a calling. I cannot list for you the countless hours and energy that have been given by Friends volunteers to the planning and execution fund-raising activities, writing grant requests, welcoming visitors, serving as museum volunteers, serving as gardeners supplementing the natural beauty of the site, and in other ways supporting the efforts of the St. Louis County Parks Department. I cannot list the many projects that we have engaged in or supported, but will simply state that during those 40 years that the Friends' efforts have

resulted in the provision of more than $500,000.00 to various projects benefiting the Historic Site. 

Despite our dedication, recent years have brought challenges that we have been unable to overcome. The greatest challenge has been the aging of our volunteer base. Another, that some of our most successful efforts (in fund-raising and in improving awareness of the Historic Site and its heritage) are no longer viable and their successors not identified. The Friends of Jefferson Barracks may be dissolving, but its efforts in the preservation of the heritage of Jefferson Barracks will be noted there well into the future. Thank you for your support. It has been our privilege to serve the Historic Site and this organization.

The Friends of Jefferson Barracks 

      John Chapman, President 

Fund raising is one of the important roles for the Friends organization to support the programs, exhibitions, museum collections and other needs of Jefferson Barracks Park Historic Site. This effort has contributed to a lengthy list of completed park projects such as the museum cannon mounts.

Another important project the Friends supported was for the restoration of the North Gate entrance to Jefferson Barracks Park. Learn more about how you can support us today!