All Family Fun in Missouri

The Orris At 265 Merchant Street in Historic Downtown Ste. Genevieve, beneath a beautifully restored vintage marquee that has beckoned audiences since 1933, stands The Orris—quietly becoming legendary as one of the best music venues anywhere, pound for pound. When Dick Greminger and childhood friends returned home from college in the late 1970s to find their favorite hangout closed and the once-vibrant Orris Theatre an eyesore with caving roof and sagging floorboards, they scraped together enough money to buy it in 1982, converting the 500-seat movie palace into an event and performance center that’s earned comparison to Pappy and Harriet’s iconic California desert roadhouse: a destination venue in unexpected location where quality music and character space create magic big-city concert halls can’t replicate. Now hosting the Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce’s Summer and Winter Music Series (celebrating over 15 years), national touring acts, comedy shows, and community events, The Orris delivers professional sound and lighting by Kenny Greminger and Ryan Kist, table seating for true listening experiences, full bar, catering by Sirros next door, and acoustics that make musicians notice. As Chamber Executive Director Dena Kreitler notes: “The atmosphere at the Orris is top notch. We’re lucky to partner with 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…