Special Deals in Honor of a Special Man

Five of St. Louis’ top cultural institutions – the Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo – will join together on Saturday, April 17, to observe “Des Lee Day” in honor of St. Louis philanthropist E. Desmond Lee, who died earlier this year at age 92.

Lee embodied great collaborative vision for the community, enabling numerous organizations to conduct community outreach programs, establish professorships with universities and develop projects that would not otherwise have been possible. In his spirit, on April 17, the five cultural institutions will offer the following discounts:

• Missouri Botanical Garden: 20 percent off merchandise at the Garden Gate Shop.
• Missouri History Museum: 20 percent off merchandise at the Museum Shop, (excluding music, videos, DVDs, sale items, John Pils and Jim Trotter products).
• Saint Louis Art Museum: Free family tours beginning at 2:30 p.m.
• Saint Louis Science Center: Free admission to Moon Rock, the brand-new musical version of The Space Show at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.
• Saint Louis Zoo: Free Zooline Railroad rides.

Lee began building educational and community partnerships in 1996, encouraging institutions to establish programs and share resources that would benefit the entire community, but particularly the underserved. Because of his work, today there are more than 100 organizations, more than 30 endowed professors and a number of government agencies and businesses in the St. Louis area involved in the Des Lee Collaborative Vision.

Get out with the kids and take advantage of these special offers while teaching them valuable lessons about philanthropy, community and culture in honor of this very special St. Louisan.

By Amy Burger, Events Blogger for SmartParenting