St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Admission: $8.00 - children under 12 free; parking is free
http://www.campbellhousemuseum.org/
The Campbell House was built in 1851 and became home to the family of Robert Campbell in 1854. He was a fur-trader, frontiersman and entrepreneur and became one of the wealthiest men in the state of Missouri. Members of the Campbell family lived in the house until the death of the last surviving child in 1938. The house opened as a museum in 1943.
The house is one of the best examples of the middle Victorian period found in America. Enriching the house structure are the furniture and furnishings, most all of which were original to the Campbell House and were bought in 1938 from the Campbell estate so to remain in the house as a museum. One of the highlights is the gilded table, set today similar to the setting that would have existed when President Grant ate a twenty-course dinner here with the Campbells.
The sideboard piece likewise represents the dining style and traditions of the Campbell family.
This beautiful period piano graces the parlor.
This sitting room was added in 1867 and includes beautiful stained glass windows.
The kitchen includes this stove.
In 1973 an album of 1885 photographs of the house, both inside and out, was donated to the museum. This was followed by many years of work to restore the house to its original look as shown in the photographs. The restoration was completed in 2005. During restoration the parlor ceilings were meticulously painted to match those in the photos. The lamp is a a Cornelius & Baker gasolier ca 1855.
Lucy Kyle, mother of Robert's wife Virginia, lived with the Campbells from early in their marriage. Her bedroom is on the second floor.
Robert died in 1879 and Virginia died in 1882 leaving the house to their three bachelor sons. Ten other children had died before age eight. The surviving sons added electricity to the house and also this bathroom on the second floor, complete with a St. Louis-made toilet.
After purchasing the home, the servants' rooms on the second floor were added by Robert . Even they are beautiful.
In addition to restoring the house to its original Victorian splendor, the museum includes a few artifact displays.
There are also a few informative murals.
Our visit was part of a Christmas tour. This beautiful tree greeted you as you entered the parlor.
Under the tree was a splendid creche.
Another decorated tree added to the beauty of a third floor room.
To the left of the tree was a period toy collection.
To the right of the tree was a Humpty Dumpty Circus Toy set. First created in 1903 they continued to be made until 1935.
The Museum Store is in the basement of the house. It offers a wide selection of boutique gifts, books, and special items featuring the Campbell House and St. Louis history.
Visitors to the Campbells' house during Christmas often received boxes of candy always on hand to be presented as their gifts. In 1905 alone the Campbell’s expenditures at Busy Bee Candy reached $1,500, an enormous amount considering the price of candy at the time was twenty-five cents a pound. Today these chocolates are again being made and sold in the Museum Store to help raise funds to support the museum.
Comments: This is a beautiful house, true to the Victorian era, and full of interesting history. How fortunate St. Louis is to have had for over 80 years a dedicated group to work on preserving this house so meticulously.
The docents were very informed, friendly, and interesting to listen to as they told the history of the house and the family.
We toured the house along with 450 other people participating in a Christmas tour of three historic downtown houses. Unfortunately it was crowded and we were not able to fully appreciate all it add to offer. I for one would love to go back and to take the guided tour.
There is a free parking lot to the right of the house.
The website is very informative and well organized.
The House is owned by the Campbell House Foundation.
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