Blunt, McCaskill, Smith Introduce Bill to Make Ste. Genevieve a National Park
Press Release
Today, members of the Missouri congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, and Representative Jason Smith, announced that they have introduced legislation to establish the Ste. Genevieve National Historic Site and designate it as a unit of the National Park Service, and to provide the NPS the option to preserve other historic resources in the area.
"Ste. Genevieve boasts a history older than our nation itself," Blunt said. "The meticulous care with which it has been preserved allows all of its residents and visitors to experience a taste of colonial life. As a former history teacher, I'm proud to partner with Senator McCaskill and Representative Smith to see that this national treasure is rightly included in our National Park System. Doing so will help ensure that it has the support it needs to be enjoyed by generations to come."
Earlier this month, the NPS released its final Ste. Genevieve Special Resource Study, which found that portions of the Ste. Genevieve historic district meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Park System.
McCaskill continued, "The rich history of Ste. Genevieve--one of the oldest European settlements in our state--and its unique character should be preserved for our kids and grandkids. The site stands to benefit greatly from the attention and care that the National Park Service will provide, and its inclusion in the National Park System only builds on its status as one of the oldest national historic landmark districts in the country. "
Smith added, "As the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi Ste. Genevieve is not only a treasure to us here in Southeast Missouri, but also part of our Missouri heritage and early American identity. I am proud to introduce legislation along with U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt to aid the efforts of local officials and help Ste. Genevieve receive the recognition we all know it deserves."
The village of Ste. Genevieve dates back to the early 1700s, making it Missouri's oldest town. The city was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
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