All Arts and History in United States

The Bolduc House Museum and LeMeilleur House – Two Centuries, Two Homes, One Remarkable Story In the heart of Ste. Genevieve’s Historic District, two neighboring houses tell one of the most compelling stories in American frontier history. The Louis Bolduc House and the LeMeilleur House, separated by just a few decades and a few yards, offer visitors a rare opportunity to witness how French Creole culture evolved during the pivotal years when the Mississippi Valley transitioned from colonial outpost to American heartland. Together, these homes create a living timeline of cultural adaptation, architectural evolution, and the persistence of identity in the face of dramatic change. The Louis Bolduc House: Portrait of Prosperity in French Colonial America The Man Behind the House Louis Bolduc wasn’t just a homeowner—he was a force in colonial Ste. Genevieve’s economic and social life. As a prosperous French Creole merchant, Bolduc built his fortune through a combination of fur trading, lead mining interests, agricultural production, and general merchandising. His business networks stretched from New Orleans up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, connecting Ste. Genevieve to broader colonial commerce. But Bolduc’s influence extended beyond business. He served as a community leader, helping to govern this frontier settlement Read more…

Guibourd-Vallé House – Where You Can Touch History’s Framework In a town filled with exceptional French Creole architecture, the Guibourd-Vallé House claims a unique distinction: this is the only place in Ste. Genevieve where visitors can climb into the attic and actually touch the massive Norman truss system—those impressive hewn log beams and wooden pins that have held up the roof for more than two centuries. This rare access transforms what could be merely observational history into something tactile and immediate, allowing you to literally lay hands on the engineering genius of early 19th-century French colonial builders. A House with Distinguished Origins Constructed in 1806 for Jacques Jean Rene Guibourd de Luzinais, the house carries a name that signals its owner’s elite status within French colonial society. His full, formal French name speaks to European aristocratic traditions and suggests someone of education, means, and social standing. This wasn’t a rough frontier cabin thrown together for basic shelter; it was a proper residence for someone who brought Old World expectations and resources to the New World. The year 1806 is itself significant—just three years after the Louisiana Purchase. Guibourd de Luzinais was building his house at a moment of tremendous transition, Read more…

Living History at the Linden House – Step Into the Past Every Saturday from late March through early November, the Linden House opens its doors to offer something rare and wonderful: the chance to experience French Creole colonial life not as distant history locked behind velvet ropes, but as living, breathing, tactile reality. This isn’t passive observation—it’s active engagement with the past, where visitors of all ages can touch, try, and truly understand how people lived, worked, and entertained themselves in early 19th-century Ste. Genevieve. A House That Tells Many Stories The Linden House itself embodies the layered history of Ste. Genevieve. Built in stages from 1811/1812 through the 1930s, the structure reflects how families adapted and expanded their homes across generations, responding to changing needs, prosperity, and architectural fashions. The earliest portions date to just after the Louisiana Purchase, when French Creole families were navigating the transition from Spanish and French rule to American governance. Later additions show how the property evolved as the 19th century progressed and eventually entered the 20th century. This architectural palimpsest—where different eras exist within a single structure—makes the Linden House particularly well-suited for living history interpretation. It’s not frozen at a single moment Read more…

ART COLONY Post Marked! A wall in the local post office was the canvas for a special mural commissioned by the federal government. As post offices were being built around the country in the early 1900s, 10% of the budget was directed towards art. Around the same time, Ste. Geneviève established its own Art Colony similar to the one in Providence, Rhode Island. Members included: Jessie Beard Rickly, Thomas Hart Benton, Aimee Schweig, Miriam McKinnie, Martyl Schweig Langsdorf, Sister Cassiana Marie, Joseph Meert, Bernard E. Peters, E. Oscar Thalinger, and Matthew E. Ziegler Today, Ste. Geneviève has an Art Guild. There are also art galleries, art walks, opportunities to participate in Plein Air, “in the open air” painting, and a variety of art-related activities throughout the year. Read more…

What would you expect to find walking the streets of the oldest town in Missouri? Perhaps historic homes, charming shops, or a glimpse into colonial life. But a working pewter foundry? That might raise a quizzical brow. If you know what pewter is—that lustrous tin-based alloy that graced the tables of our nation’s founding families—you understand just how rare the practice of pewter-making has become in modern America. If the term “pewter” itself is unfamiliar, well, that only confirms its rarity. Either way, discovering ASL Pewter Foundry in Ste. Genevieve is like stumbling upon a living museum where ancient craft traditions are still practiced with passion and expertise. Masters of an Ancient Craft For nearly 40 years, Pat and Tom Hooper have been keeping this centuries-old metalworking tradition alive, creating museum-quality pewter pieces that honor historical designs while meeting contemporary standards of craftsmanship. Their dedication to the craft goes beyond mere production—they are true artisans who understand the history, chemistry, and artistry that goes into every piece. The Hoopers spent years traveling the Renaissance Faire circuit, where discerning collectors and history enthusiasts quickly recognized the exceptional quality of their work. Unlike cheaper pewter products that may contain lead, ASL Pewter Read more…