Tag: Historic in United States

Guibourd-Valle House – Where You Can Touch History’s Framework In a town filled with exceptional French Creole architecture, the Guibourd-Valle 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…

Main Street Inn Bed & Breakfast – Where Art, History, and Vision Transform Hospitality in Sainte Geneviève Step through the doors of the Main Street Inn Bed & Breakfast and you immediately understand that your time here will be a curate experience. Originally built in 1882 as the Meyer Hotel, this three-story brick landmark has welcomed travelers to Sainte Geneviève for more than 140 years. But following an extensive year-long renovation, proprietors Susan O’Donnell and Patrick Fahey transformed this historic property into something extraordinary: a bed and breakfast where world-class art, meticulous attention to preservation, and genuine hospitality create an experience that aligns with what you’d expect in Missouri’s oldest city. The Main Street Inn stands as home, gallery and gathering place, historic structure and comfortable retreat. Here, you’re encourage to meander through the house and take inspiration in the work that went into its restoration and the nuance of its collection.  For those visitors that are looking to bring home fresh inspiration to their design sensibilities, this is the stay for you. This is lodging for people who appreciate art, value history, and seek accommodations with personality and purpose rather than generic hotel uniformity. An Unexpected Gallery in Missouri’s Read more…

Beauvais-Amoureux House – Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Standing as a remarkable testament to America’s French colonial heritage, the Beauvais-Amoureux House offers visitors a rare glimpse into the architectural ingenuity and daily life of 18th-century settlers along the Mississippi River. Now proudly preserved as part of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, this exceptional structure invites you to step back in time and connect with the diverse roots of American culture. Built to Last: The Story of Poteaux-en-Terre Built around 1792 by Jean-Baptiste St. Gemme Beauvais, this historic home overlooks le Grand Champ—Ste. Geneviève’s communal agricultural fields that once sustained the entire village. The house itself is an architectural treasure, constructed using the exceedingly rare “poteaux-en-terre” or “posts-in-the-earth” method, in which upright cedar log walls are set directly into the ground. This ancient building technique, brought from French Canada and adapted to the Missouri frontier, represents one of the few surviving examples of this construction style in the United States. The home’s heavy, hand-hewn timbers form an impressive Norman truss system supporting a steeply-pitched roof—a distinctive feature that echoes the architectural traditions of early French Canada and speaks to the cultural memory settlers carried with them to the New World. Read more…

Centre for French Colonial Life – Gateway to America’s French Heritage At the corner of 2nd and Market Streets in the heart of Ste. Genevieve’s Historic District stands the Centre for French Colonial Life, serving as both the welcoming gateway and administrative headquarters for one of America’s most significant French colonial museum campuses. This isn’t just another local history museum—it’s a sophisticated institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the remarkably rich story of French colonial presence in the Mississippi River Valley. Your Journey Begins Here The Centre for French Colonial Life is designed to be your first stop when exploring Ste. Genevieve’s French colonial heritage. Inside this modern, purpose-built facility, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your visit: thoughtfully curated changing exhibits that provide context and depth, a well-stocked gift shop offering books and items related to French colonial history, and friendly staff ready to answer questions and help you plan your exploration of the museum campus. This is where you’ll purchase tickets for the guided tours of the historic Bolduc and LeMeilleur Houses, pick up campus maps, learn about special programs and events, and get oriented to the broader story you’re about to experience. Read more…

June 11, 2022 Felix Valle State Historic Site Merchant and Second Streets Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 573-883-7102 On the second weekend in June, enjoy an evening in the garden of the Felix Valle House at this recreation of a La Veillée, a traditional French Colonial summer social gathering as part of the French Heritage Festival. Featured at the event will be French folk dancing, folk tales, candlelight tours of the home, and refreshments. Read more…