A Hidden Jewel in St. Louis - Don't Miss the Magic Chef Mansion!…read more What a historic gem! The Magic Chef Mansion is one of St. Louis' most stunning and best-kept secrets. If you haven't taken a tour, you are truly missing out. This architectural treasure offers a glimpse into another era--where craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless beauty meet. What makes it even more special is the incredible care and devotion of Shelly, the current owner and resident. It's amazing how she has lovingly restored the entire interior, tracking down original furniture, lighting fixtures, and period-appropriate details to bring this mansion back to its former glory. What an act of love--and one that every visitor can feel the moment they walk through the doors. Every room is a story, and the guided tour is filled with fascinating history, local lore, and exquisite details. Whether you're a St. Louis native or a visitor, this is an experience that belongs at the top of your list. The Magic Chef Mansion isn't just a tour--it's a living, breathing piece of art and history. Don't miss the chance to be a part of it.

This is a wonder!!!! Beautifully maintained and decorated mansion. Owner guided tour for our…read moregroup. Charge for tours but well worth seeing this amazing turn of the 20th century mansion.

Glad for the interpretive signage at this small unobtrusive yet deeply historic site. Wish it was…read moreopen today but still it was a thrill for us to walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they prepared to set off on their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. They were here 19 Dec 1803 - spring 1804. They met with John Hay, and details of their stay here are in their diary! Museum looks like it has a number of interesting artifacts, and lots of good explanations. But - not open today so -- rats! Nevertheless: 5 awesome history stars

Went for the first time today. At $5, I found it to be very reasonably priced, and tours on the…read morehour are so convenient. Our tour was supposed to run about forty minutes, but we asked a lot of questions and it lasted over an hour- oops. Lots of furniture that was original to the family (not the case with the nearby Lemp Mansion). Ask if you can go on the balcony- they let us and it has a great view of the yard and surrounding buildings. The guide was so knowledgable- she was able to answer every question about the house that our group of four asked. The gift shop is nice-sized and rather inexpensive- a mixture of antiques, books, and other items. I was disappointed that the Cafe is closed while they look for a new tenant, but went to Gus's Pretzels nearby instead.

I went to the Chatillon-DeMenil House for Bastille Day 2019, as it looked like the best celebration…read moreof french culture in Saint Louis. I was quite charmed by the house and especially the tour guide. On Bastille Day, the ticket price was a little higher than typical, at $12, but it included french dancing, storming the Bastille, plus the mock decapitation of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. The House Tour was excellent, and interesting, not to mention historical and educational. It was well worth the money mostly due to the humorous delivery and knowledge of the tour guide. The restrooms are nice, and located in the new carriage house; street parking is easy to find and free. I missed the gift shop and world's fair collection but will be sure to catch that next time. Not sure this trip has enough kid-friendly activities to keep kids interested. This is certainly a worthy destination for those looking to deepen their french roots on Bastille Day. As a bonus, the food truck "Holy Crepe" shows up on Bastille Day too.

Very nice setting and atmosphere . , nice people. Food / is so so, but good enough. Selection not…read moregreat. Food appeared old at lunch , not crisp & fresh

Docent lead tour of an amazing and well loved house. So well maintained with commitment and love…read more Our docent was so knowledgeable! No doubts about her love of this house and keeping this beauty around for all to enjoy!

Pierre Martin/Nicholas Boisrnenue House, East Carondelet, IL…read more I was allowed access to the inside the Martin-Boismenue House on October 10, 2015 for a photo-shoot. The house is now owned by the State of Illinois' Historic Preservation Agency. The Martin-Boismenue House used to hold two annual open-houses where the public was invited to view the interior of this late 18th century homestead and to interact with costumed interpreters to learn about French Colonial America. Traditionally these open houses were held during the Fete du Bons Vieux Temps in February and the St. Nicholas Tradition event in December, but they have not been held for over 10 years. The Pierre Martin Family. The Martin family was an old and large French Canadian family. Pierre Martin was born in La Rivenue Parish, Quebec, ca. 1745. He had arrived in the Illinois Country and was living in the village of Cahokia by 1770, the year he married Marie St. Yves. Pierre at age 42. He was listed in the 1787 census as the male head of a household living in Cahokia with two children. Pierre Martin was a Revolutionary War veteran. In the 1790 census, Pierre is listed as head of the household in the village of Prairie du Pont (East Carondelet), Illinois. He apparently acquired the property in this year as an improvement claim which require that he farm the land and built a house. It is therefore assumed that the Martini Boismenue House was constructed in 1790. In 1794, his Prairie du Pont property is described as consisting of a house, barn lot, garden, and other small outbuildings. The Martin-Boismenue House is a surviving example of the French Creole poteaux-sur-solle (post-on-sill) construction and one of the oldest structures of its kind in Illinois. This type of construction utilized upright hewn logs that were seated on a horizontal log sill and the spaces between the logs were filled with pierrotage chinking of mortar and rubble. The original building measures 20 x 35 ft and consisted of two rooms separated by a receiving hall and a one room or half basement with a separate rear entrance. The larger first floor room was the parlor, or salle, and was a multi-purpose living area. The smaller first floor room was the sleeping room, or chambre, and was a more private area. Limestone fireplaces were located at each end of the house including one in the half basement. There is a large attic which runs the entire length of the house. The house contained a stone cooking fireplace situated in a half basement, or souterrain, a rarity among similar structures that may reflect the prosperity of the owners. The basement likely functioned as a work space and living quarters as well. The original house is approximately 80% intact. A common feature of Creole architecture are the broad open porches, known as galeries, located on the front and back of the house. The galeries offered additional living space in fair weather as well as to keep the sun and rain off the whitewashed walls. At the end of the 18th century, the majority of European settlement in the middle Mississippi River Valley was confined to a sixty-mile strip between Cahokia and Kaskaskia (the Ste. Genevieve area). This fertile river bottomland, now known as the American Bottom, was the breadbasket for the Louisiana Territory. The principal crop grown was wheat but other commodities included corn, pumpkins, oats, barley, flax, cotton, and tobacco. Farmers in Pierre Martin's era would use a common field called the le grand champ. Martin would cultivate and harvest his crops with the help of his family, his one or two slaves, and hired day laborers. Once harvested, Martin would have transported his crops south to Kaskaskia where it would then be shipped to New Orleans. In 1806, Pierre Martin put up the two lots with a house and barn in Prairie du Pont and two common field tracts as collateral for a loan to Jean Francois Perrey. In the same year, his wife died, and his death at age 62 followed the next year. With Martin's debt unpaid, the probates indicate that Perrey was compensated out of the estate sale. The barn and lot were sold for $13. 00 and the house - described as "avec souterraint" (finished basement) - was sold for $96.00 to Baptiste Gendron. Throughout the early 19th century, several owners are indicated and during the late 19th century into the early 20th century it was owned by members of the Boismenue family. The Boismenue family of French Canadian descent appear in the records at Cahokia in the 18th century. It was not until 1980, when the Martin/Boismenue House was destined for demolition, that it became evident that the building was of vertical log construction. When workmen began to strip off the modern siding from the front of the structure, the distinctive vertical log timbers of the original building were exposed (Figure 5). Within 24 hours, a local group of citizens was organized with the intention of saving the structure for its historical significance.

It's worth noting that there are two Basilicas in downtown Saint Louis and this is the one that is…read moreadjacent to the Gateway Arch Park at the riverside. Officially named the "Basilica of St. Louis, King of France", this was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River, built between 1831 and 1834. It is one of the only buildings that was not demolished to make way for the Arch and the park. That proximity makes it quite a popular tourist destination. Built in Greek Revival style, the church is noted for its marble altars, a painting of Saint Louis venerating the Crown of Thorns given by Louis XVIII, King of France and Navarre, and an accurate copy of the painting of the Crucifixion by Diego Velázquez installed in the church in the latter half of the twentieth century. Note: The parking lot here is specifically for cathedral visitors and can not be used for parking to see other stuff in downtown. [Review 17230 overall - 138 in Missouri - 747 of 2022.]

I was here for a wedding. The cathedral is beautiful, old world elegance. Large windows letting a…read moretremendous amount of light in. The service was excellent and the priest was kind, gentle and funny with the bride and groom. It was a delightful wedding.

This 10 story, 135 ft terra cotta office buildings from 1890 is in downtown St. Louis. It is…read moreconsidered to be one of the first aesthetically fully expressed early skyscrapers. It's a locked & empty city office building now.

This was a fun stop along our rainy morning stroll through downtown St.louis. I noticed the handful…read moreof reviews and that it was only a couple of blocks from where we were staying. This is also BBC an easy walk from both the Arch abc City Park. Speaking of which, goodness, I love City Park... Back to the Wainwright...you'll see a marker on the corner of the building noting that this building is on the national landmark registry and cited as being the grandfather of the modern day skyscraper. The building was built in the late 1800s and features a striking red facade and ornate archways over each of the door entrances. Somewhat related...two blocks away from here you can find delicious fluffy doughnuts from Pharaoh's Doughnuts. Enjoy your walking your if downtown St.Louis!

I had forgotten how interesting the free museum was and since I have been there it's been remodeled…read moreand it's great!! The arch is cool and the history of the arch and Saint Louis is very well done in the museum.

My wife and I spent a great hour exploring the underground Museum at the Gateway Arch. The exhibits…read morewere very informative, covering the rich history of the area and the impressive construction of the Arch. We loved the well-done displays and artifacts. Unfortunately the tram rides to the top were sold out, but we'll catch them next time. Highly recommend for a quick, educational stop! -- update -- My wife and I were in St. Louis and decided we had to do the Gateway Arch at least once. We tried getting tickets the day before and it was completely sold out, but we got lucky and snagged spots for the next morning. Totally worth the wait! The view from the top is absolutely stunning. You can see for miles across the Mississippi River and the city skyline -- it's one of those "wow" moments that makes the whole trip worthwhile. The architecture and engineering behind it are impressive too. That said, be ready for a cozy ride. The tram pods only fit about 5 people and it's very tight in there. You'll get to know your neighbors pretty well for those few minutes! If you're even a little claustrophobic or afraid of heights, this might not be for you. But if you're okay with both, it's a must-do experience. Highly recommend doing it at least once. We loved it and left with some great photos and memories. Just book your tickets in advance!

The American Legion Monument in downtown St. Louis is a proud little tribute to a big idea. It…read moremarks the founding of the American Legion right here in 1919, when over a thousand World War I veterans gathered at the old Schubert Theater to shape what would become one of the country's most enduring service organizations. Just a few blocks from that historic meeting spot, the monument now stands watch across from the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. It's got some flair, too. A tall granite base holds up a copper torch with an eternal flame, meant to symbolize lasting service and remembrance. Each of the flame's 48 ribs is engraved with the name of a U.S. state as of 1942, the year the monument was dedicated by the Monument Builders of America. Sculptor Sascha Schnittmann added a kneeling soldier on one side and the Legion's emblem on the other, giving the whole thing a sense of quiet dignity. In 1969, a commemorative block was added to celebrate the Legion's 50th anniversary. It includes the phrase "Liberty is not License." There's also the original plaque from the Schubert Theater, now mounted on the east face, tying the monument back to its roots. And here's a fun detail that might explain why the monument still looks so sharp: it's surrounded by a low black gate. Not tall enough to feel imposing, but just enough to say "please admire from a respectful distance." In a city where public art sometimes gets a little too interactive, this modest fence might be the unsung hero keeping the monument clean and unscathed. [Review 1180 of 2025 - 446 in Missouri - 24733 overall]

In 2012, the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, the National Parks Service & Harry Weber the sculptor…read morewere incredibly proud to unveil a statue of Dred & Harriet Scott on the south lawn of the Old Courthouse. The Scotts are depicted standing close, holding their heads high, their eyes directed not only Archward & across the Mississippi River, but toward a horizon of freedom in which they believed enough to one day finally see. Dred & Harriet Scott were American-born slaves of African descent, filed suit against Irene Emerson for their freedom. After several appeals & new lawsuits, the Dred Scott case reached the Supreme Court. The final verdict stated that Scott was still a slave, still the property of his masters & that he was neither a free man nor a US citizen. The decision outraged many & was integral in leading the United States to the brink of civil war.

One of the more famous landmark Supreme Court rulings is known as the Dred Scott Decision. In 1857,…read moreit was decided that neither Dred Scott nor any other person of African ancestry could claim citizenship in the United States, and therefore Scott could not bring suit in federal court under diversity of citizenship rules. Moreover, Scott's temporary residence outside Missouri did not bring about his emancipation under the Missouri Compromise, as the court ruled this to have been unconstitutional, as it would "improperly deprive Scott's owner of his legal property." Yeah, that happened and it was one of the contributing factors that led to the United States Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the post-Civil War Reconstruction Amendments - the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments - nullified the decision. This statue was installed in front of the Old Courthouse and dedicated on June 8, 2012. The location of the Old Courthouse serves as a reminder of the place where Dred and Harriet Scott began their legal fight for freedom. The plaque at the base reads, "Dred and Harriet Scott filed suit for their freedom at this courthouse in 1846. Their case reached the United States Supreme Court and was decided in 1857. The court ruled that the Scotts and all African Americans were not citizens of the United States. Opposition to the decision was one of the causes of the Civil War and led to the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. The Scotts' struggle for freedom stands as a defining moment in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Dedicated June 8, 2012. Gift of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. Harry Weber, sculptor. [Review 17226 overall - 134 in Missouri - 743 of 2022.]