Each December, our member sites come together to present a splendid grand tour. During this one-day event, each site decorates in a festive flair, with many sites providing special entertainment, whether it be a costumed skit, music, or seasonal activity.
2024 Participating Sites
Want to know when, where, and what activities each site will have? Scroll below to learn about all of the historic sites, museums, and private homes participating in this special event!
Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10am - 4pm
Benoist Mansion Oakland
1853-4 Italianate Country House
7801 Genesta Ave., (enter off Seth) St. Louis, Mo 63123
314-352-5654
Accessible: 1st Floor
Admission: Adults: $10; Children 12 to 5: $5
Come experience Affton's success story where great history and a time capsule await to be opened. This 1850's limestone beauty features 14' ceilings, a grand staircase, and five 12' French doors leading to a covered veranda. Count eight rooms in the mansion filled with original furniture, chandeliers, family china, and lovely portraits. Millionaire banker Louis Auguste Benoist, with titled connection to pre-revolution France, built Oakland as a summer escape from the turbulent St. Louis City. The three acre flowered lawn is what remains of 476 acres where Louis brought his third wife, Sarah Elizabeth Wilson, her brother, and nine children.
Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
Established 1849
4947 W. Florissant, St. Louis, MO 63115 314-381-0750 Accessible: Wild Wood Valley Gardens is fully accessible. Other aspects of the cemetery are not as accessible. Admission: Free
Journey to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum to enjoy a holiday celebration. Once inside the gates follow signage to parking and events at Willow Gate House. Volunteers will greet you with seasonal and traditional music, and programs exploring the history and iconography of the cemetery. Sign up for tours and presentations on our site's website.
1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House
1820 Federal Style
409 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville, IL, 62025 618-692-1818 Accessible: All lower levels Admission: Adults: $6, Children (6-12 years): $3, 5 and under: free
Experience an 1820s Christmas! The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House will be decorated for the Christmas season and offering tours of the home where historically garbed docents will discuss our rich history.
Brookes Park
1782-1820 French Creole Style
420 Brookes Dr. Hazelwood, Mo. 63042
314-731-0980
Accessible: Park, restrooms, and LRSH. 2 steps into Utz-Teson House. Knobbe House no.
Admission: Free
Brookes Park is home to three historic structures: Knobbe House (1877), Little Red School House (1852), and the Utz-Teson House (pictured). The Utz-Teson House was built in 1782, with additions added over several years.-4.
Campbell House Museum
1851 Greek Revival Style
1508 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103
314-421-0325
Accessible: Yes
Admission: Adults: $10, Children (12 & under): Free
Since opening on February 6, 1943, the Museum has not only preserved the Campbells’ house, but also their collection of original furniture, fixtures, paintings, objects, and thousands of pages of family documents. Included in these documents is a unique album of 60 photographs of the interior of the house taken in about 1885. In 2005, CHM completed a meticulous five-year restoration that returned the building to its opulent 1880s appearance, when the house was one of the centers of St. Louis society. As a historically significant 19th Century building in St. Louis, we work hard to preserve our National Register listed buildings and important collections to serve a center for education and community outreach programming.
Carondelet Historical Society, Des Peres School
1873 Italianate Style
6303 Michigan Ave., St. Louis, 63111 314-481-6303 Accessible: Yes (Iron St. entrance) Admission: Free
Carondelet Historical Society volunteers have decked the halls of the historic Des Peres School, which houses the first public kindergarten in the US founded by Susan Blow in 1873. The building is also home to the Carondelet History Museum, which contains a trove of historical artifacts, exhibits, and artwork from Carondelet, founded in 1767 and later incorporated into St. Louis in 1870. For this event, there will be holiday treats and entertainment (noon - 3:00 p.m.) for you to enjoy while exploring the museum. Check our website, Facebook, or call for more information.
Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion
1848, 1863 Greek Revival Style
3352 DeMenil Pl., St. Louis, MO 63118
314-771-5828
Accessible: No
Admission: Adult: $10, Children (under 12): $5
Nicolas and Emilie DeMenil's Greek Revival mansion is splendidly decorated for a "joyeux Noel" reflecting both French Creole and American Victorian holiday traditions.
Tours on the hour from 11 am until 2 pm.
Field House Museum
1845 Federal Style
634 S Broadway., St. Louis, MO 63102
314-421-4689 Accessible: 1st Floor & Museum Exhibits Admission: Adult: $8, Children (under 12): $4
Experience the magic of a festive Christmas decorated in a stunning blend of old and new with historic feather trees and children’s toys displayed throughout the historic house. This year, we are thrilled to present a special program, A Biography of the American Christmas Tree by Kellee Bohannon at 1:00 pm. Discover the fascinating evolution of the Christmas tree and how it became an iconic part of American holiday celebrations. While visiting, explore our new exhibits, Growing Together, The Wonderful World of Collecting, and Behind the Feathers. Celebrate the season where history and holiday spirit meet!
Gittemeier House - Historic Florissant, Inc.
1860 Missouri German Vernacular Style
1067 Dunn Rd., Florissant, MO 63031 314-565-1468 Accessible: 1st Floor Admission: Donation
The Gittemeier House will be decorated for an 1800’s Christmas including feather trees and antique ornaments. Enjoy homemade cookies, coffee by NoCo Roasting or hot tea as you tour this 1860’s farmhouse. This landmark was built by Franz Gittemeier (Gettemeier, Gettenmeier) who came to Florissant from Prussia in the 1850s. After working as a farm hand, Franz left for the California gold rush. He returned to Florissant’s fertile land with enough gold dust to purchase 50 acres of farmland. Franz built this three story home, married and had 10 children. His children married into family names such as Behlman, Kohnen, Keeven, Korte, Meyer, Nick and contributed to the growing population of the late 1800’s Florissant. Come tour this German home and visit our archival/research center. On display you will find period furnishings, local history displays, Franz’s wooden shoes, early wedding photos, Hume’s family history, Aubuchon family furniture and much more.
Ferguson Historical Society
1959 Mid-Century Modern
1050 Smith Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135 (behind the Ferguson Community Center) Accessible: No Admission: Free
Join us at our History House for a holiday event with festive decorations, refreshments, and cheer. Completed in 1959, the house originally served as a convent for the Good Shepherd Catholic Church and School. Today, the house highlights Ferguson's rich history through historical artifacts while still showcasing the house's Mid-Century past in the original kitchen.
Hawken House Museum
1867 Greek Revival Style
1155 S. Rock Hill Rd., Webster Groves, MO 63119
314-968-1857
Accessible: No
Admission: Adult: $5, Children (12 & under): Free
Welcome to the Historic Hawken House Museum, home of Christopher and Mary Ann Hawken, built in 1867. Christopher was the son of gunsmith, Jacob Hawken, who along with his brother Samuel, designed and built the Hawken rifle in St. Louis starting in the 1820s. This type of muzzle-loading rifle became widely known during the early 19th century in the United States. This rifle became famous for its reliability, accuracy, and rugged design, which made it a favored weapon for frontiersmen, trappers, and explorers, especially in the American West. Guided tours and light refreshments. Children are invited to make a painted ornament to take home with them.
Historic Sappington House
1808 Federal Style
1015 S. Sappington Rd., Crestwood, MO 63126
314-822-8171
Accessible: 3-Step Entrance, A 20-minute virtual tour can be viewed in the Library
Admission: Adult: $8, Children (under 12): $1
Before Christmas trees were a tradition, simple boughs of greenery decorated Historic Sappington House, which opens a window to the past to look back to the early 1800s. In the parlour, a pianist or violinist will be playing carols for visitors to sing along. Gingerbread houses will be on display in the library. And find the yesteryear “story connections” that relate to other historic sites. Holiday treats will be served.
Overland Log House
1850 Vernacular Log House
2404 Gass Ave., Overland, MO 63114
314-426-7027
Accessible: No
Admission: Donation Only
The Overland Historical Society will have the log house, barn, and museum open from 10-7pm. This includes the candle light setting of all the buildings. The gift shop will be open as well. Refreshments of hot cider, cookies, and hot chestnuts at the outside fire pit will be available at no charge.
Mudd's Grove
1859 Greek Revival Style
302 W. Argonne Dr., Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-965-5151
Accessible: 1st Floor
Admission: $5
Mudd's Grove, our 7,000 square foot Greek Revival Mansion is decorated in its holiday splendor. Enjoy guided or self-guided tours. Have some refreshments. Sit and listen to string holiday tunes.
Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
1819 Federal Style
#1 Rue St. Francois St., Florissant, MO 63031
314-837-2110
Accessible: Limited
Admission: Adults $5
The Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine would like to invite you to the fifth annual Tablescapes at the Shrine. Come join us in celebrating the Christmas Season. Tablescapes will be open from 10-4pm, admission is $5.00.
Sutter-Meyer Farmhouse
1873 Vernacular Style
6826 Chamberlain Ct., University City, MO 63130
Accessible: 1st Floor
Admission: Free
The Sutter-Meyer Farmhouse is the oldest house in University City. It was originally built by William and Julia Sutter on 8.33 acres of land inherited from William’s father, John. John Sutter came from Germany with his family in 1831 and had 16 children. John Sutter was a dairyman whose business supplied major St. Louis hotels. The community on Olive near the Sutter farm became known as Sutter, Missouri and had its own post office! In 1875, William Sutter sold his house and property to Roman Meyer, another German immigrant and truck farmer. In 1906 the area was incorporated into the new municipality of University City, was placed on the National Register, and is now owned by the City of University City . The site is leased and maintained by the Sutter-Meyer Society.
Taille de Noyer House
1790 Missouri French/Greek Revival Style
1896 S. New Florissant Rd., Florissant, MO 63031
314-409-9478
Accessible: Limited
Admission: $5 Donation
Come visit Taille de Noyer, begun in 1790 and perhaps the oldest house on the Historic Saint Louis tour! The house will be decorated with vintage holiday decor and is ready to welcome you! This grand old structure has stood in four centuries, so there is a lot of history to share. Enjoy a guided tour through three floors.
Tappmeyer Homestead
1880-1884 Italianate Style
2 Barnes West Dr., Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314-795-9322
Accessible: Yes
Admission: Free
Memories…. dolls, trains, the glitter of lights on trees, the smell of cinnamon. This is often what we remember when we think of the Spirit of Holiday’s Past. You are invited to go down memory lane at the Tappmeyer Homestead. This graceful Victorian Italianate farmhouse was constructed in 1880 with a finely detailed and proportioned front porch. Coupled with high dormers on the front, the house takes on a playhouse-like appearance, which belies its actual size. Enjoy seeing the outside holiday decorations, featuring natural garland and red bows framing the beautiful front door and transom, and wreaths on the windows. The classic decorations are carried into the house and are shown on the unique mantels and staircase. And yes, you will see dolls, trains, and smell cinnamon, AND a unique make and take candle-making experience! Join us!
Holiday tours of historic houses are offered on Saturdays every hour on the half hour and the museum is open from 10am to 5pm. On Friday night from 6pm to 8pm we are offering Allée Allumée, a special torch lit garden tour that includes live music, a visit with Père Noël, hot chocolate and cookies. Check our website for more details and to reserve your spot.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
1812-1816 Greek Revival Style
7400 Grant Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
314-842-1867
Accessible: Yes
Admission: Free
Join Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site for A Spirited Holiday Past! President Grant's home, White Haven will be decorated for the holiday season. Tour the home and create a holiday craft with your family. Living history presentations and live holiday music performances will be offered throughout the day. Sample Grant's gingerbread and attend 19th century baking demonstrations in the historic stone kitchen. All activities are free and no reservations are required.
Willoughby Heritage Farm
1922 Craftsman Style Willoughby Heritage Farm (day tours) 631 Willoughby Ln., Collinsville, IL 62234 DD Collins House (Uptown Light-Up Parade and Santa) 703 West Main Street, Collinsville IL 618-977-0941 Accessible: 1st Floor of both homes Admission: Free Willoughby is a 1920’s to 1950’s working farm with lots to do for all ages. Step back in time and tour the Willoughby Farmhouse, the two 1870’s timber frame barns, feed and pet the farm animals, or take a winter hike on the trails. Enjoy the 20ft Christmas tree on display in the barn while caroling along to traditional holiday music. Farmhouse will be open 10:00am-3:00pm. Then, visit Uptown Collinsville to grab a bite to eat before enjoying the Light-Up Parade followed by a traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and visit by Santa at the DD Collins House. The Daniel Dove Collins house will be open before and after the Light-Up Parade with a special visit from Santa. Parade starting at 6:30pm, Uptown Collinsville.