All Arts and History

October 22, 2022 “Meet” Dr. Lewis Linn, Missouri’s model Senator, Ferdinand Rozier an early merchant, and Jean Baptiste Valle an early leader of the community. Or “meet” folks portraying the well-to-do, or the not-so-well-to-do, residents of Ste. Geneviève’s history before 1880? At the Déjà vu Spirit Reunion, on the 4th Saturday in October from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., visitors will experience these stories and more as the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Geneviève hosts its annual event in the historic Memorial Cemetery. Tour the cemetery via lantern light and chat “face-to-face” with friendly spirits clad in traditional dress and enjoy a hauntingly good time. Sponsored by the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Geneviève as a fundraiser for Memorial Cemetery. Read more…

EKlekTix – Jean Rissover Became a Painter at 70 and Now Creates Narrative Art While You Watch At 130 North Main Street in an 1860s building, Jean Rissover paints during the hours her gallery is open—not as demonstration or performance but as working artist fully engaged in creating the figurative paintings that crowd her studio walls. About 75 original oil paintings, most 11×14 inches or smaller, fill the space alongside eclectic giftware sourced from artisans around the world. The paintings tell stories, primarily of women—their activities, experiences, relationships, joys, sorrows, and moods—drawn from Rissover’s imagination populated by characters who “live in her head” and demand to be painted. Some focus on Sainte Geneviève’s French colonial history. Others explore universal experiences of being female across time and culture. All are narrative in nature, inviting viewers to construct stories around the figures Rissover portrays with loose, impressionistic brushwork that suggests rather than defines, leaving space for interpretation. The remarkable part isn’t just the art—it’s the journey. Jean Rissover started painting in 2011 at age 70, after retiring from a career spanning teaching, social work, event organization, antique shop ownership, and managing editor of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. It was her first serious Read more…

244 St Marys Rd Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-880-7189 The Green Tree Tavern is the oldest verified vertical log building in Ste. Geneviève. Officially dated to 1790 by dendrochronology studies, this “poteau sur sole” (post on sill) vertical log construction was built by the French Canadian Nicolas Janis. This impressive structure has also been used as an inn, a tobacco store, and the first Masonic Lodge in Missouri. The Green Tree is transferring to the Ste. Geneviève National Historic Park. Open seasonally. Read more…

History Conference – Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve Held annually at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center, the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve’s History Conference brings together historians, researchers, heritage preservation professionals, and history enthusiasts for intensive examination of Ste. Genevieve’s complex, layered past. Presentations span from pre-European settlement through the French colonial period, 19th-century development, and 20th-century evolution, providing comprehensive chronological coverage that transforms understanding of how this remarkable town developed. The event begins with continental breakfast, continues through full-day presentations featuring expert speakers addressing specialized topics, includes lunch, and concludes with Friday evening reception allowing attendees to engage directly with scholars, preservationists, and fellow history enthusiasts. Whether you’re a serious historian researching specific topics, a heritage preservation professional seeking professional development, a community member deepening knowledge of your town’s history, or simply someone fascinated by how American frontier settlements evolved, the History Conference delivers intellectual engagement grounded in scholarly research and professional expertise. Comprehensive Historical Coverage: Timeline Spanning Millennia The History Conference refuses the temptation to emphasize only the most colorful historical periods. Presentations span from pre-European settlement—indigenous peoples who inhabited this region long before French colonial arrival—through the French colonial period when Ste. Genevieve emerged Read more…

Jean-Baptiste Vallé House – Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Standing as one of the most architecturally significant and historically important structures in Ste. Genevieve, the Jean-Baptiste Vallé House represents both the architectural sophistication of French Creole building traditions and the political power that once resided in this Mississippi River community. Now part of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park and operated by the National Park Service, this imposing residence tells the story of colonial governance, architectural evolution, and the dedicated preservation efforts that saved it for future generations. Architectural Significance: Poteaux-sur-Solle at Its Finest The Jean-Baptiste Vallé House stands as a large and impressive example of “poteaux-sur-solle” (post on sill) construction—one of the distinctive French Creole building methods that make Ste. Genevieve architecturally unique in the United States. Unlike the rarer “poteaux-en-terre” (posts in earth) construction where vertical logs are set directly into the ground, the poteaux-sur-solle method places vertical log posts on a horizontal wooden sill beam that rests on a stone foundation. This elevation above ground level protects the wooden posts from moisture and rot, resulting in far greater durability—which explains why this particular house has survived for more than two centuries. The house’s size alone commands attention. Read more…