All Arts and History

Ste. Genevieve Muny Band Concerts A Romantic Small-Town Tradition On summer evenings, there’s something undeniably romantic about sitting under the stars listening to a municipal band—and that’s exactly what the Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band delivers. For over 70 years, this ensemble has been performing polkas, marches, show tunes, kids’ tunes, and popular melodies to audiences who bring lawn chairs and blankets (or simply park their cars) to enjoy what’s become increasingly rare in America: a functioning municipal band playing for their community. The Ste. Genevieve Muny Band represents the kind of tradition that defines small-town character—reliable, accessible, and a genuinely romantic surprise to stumble upon if you’re a visitor enjoying the ambiance of a sleepy town on a Thursday night. Bring a picnic, grab a table, and settle in for a short performance by neighbors and musicians as they thrum the heartbeat of summer in Missouri’s oldest town. A Tradition That Refused to Disappear Municipal bands were once common across America—nearly every town of size had one. They’ve mostly vanished, replaced by streaming music and indoor entertainment. That the Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band has survived over 70 years and continues performing speaks to something important about this community. It’s a Read more…

The Patron Saint of Paris Did you know the “Ste” in Ste. Geneviève is the abbreviated form of Sainte because the town is named after a French female saint? Ste. Geneviève lived around 400 AD and was well-loved by the French. She is known as the patron saint of Paris since she is attributed to having saved Paris from Attila the Hun. The Church of Ste. Geneviève has a large statue of her above the front doors, a side altar dedicated to her, and a famous painting “The Vows of Ste. Geneviève” which is purported to have been given to the parish by King Louis XV. Read more…

Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center – A Collection Born of Passion The Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center offers visitors an extraordinary journey through natural history, ancient cultures, and local heritage—but what makes this museum truly special is a story that often goes untold. Behind the impressive displays, detailed dioramas, and remarkable collections lies the lifetime dedication of individuals whose passion for discovery and craftsmanship created something far greater than any institutional budget could have purchased. One Man’s Lifelong Quest: The Guy Darrough Collection At the heart of this museum beats the collecting passion of Guy Darrough, whose journey began as a boy combing the banks of the Mississippi River for fossils, artifacts, and treasures. What he found along those muddy shores became the foundation for something remarkable—not just a collection, but a lifetime of learning, trading, and building relationships with collectors and institutions around the world. Guy didn’t just collect; he created. The impressive dinosaur models that dominate the museum’s Hall of Giants? Guy constructed those himself, bringing prehistoric creatures to life with his own hands and expertise. His brother Fred contributed his own craftsmanship, building the museum cases and display fixtures that house the collections—a true family endeavor where Read more…