Carondelet Historical Society
The Carondelet Historical Society has existed in St. Louis since 1967. Check out our timeline below to learn more about the Society.
Officers and Committee Chairs
- David Eschmann
- David Bouchein
- Matt Dauphin
- Bob Fox (non-voting member)
- Jerry Martin
- Bee Parsons
- Judy Schmitt
- Jim Sahaida
- Catherine Lucy
- Rich Astrack
- Scott Hunt
- Vacant
Historical Overview
Board of Directors
Carondelet Historical Society
Carondelet Historical Society
The Carondelet Historical Society was founded in 1967 with 353 charter members, active citizens and community leaders who shared a common interest in perpetuating the heritage of their remarkable community. Before it was a south-city neighborhood, Carondelet developed in parallel with St. Louis; it was an independent settlement founded in 1767 by French settler Clément Delor de Treget. The Village of Carondelet incorporated as a town in 1832 and, then, as a City in 1851. In 1870, Carondelet was annexed by and became part of the City of St. Louis.
Many notable events mark the history of Carondelet, including: the transfer of settler land claims and titles that came with the United States purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1804; the sale of land from the Carondelet Commons to the US government for what became Jefferson Barracks; the building of Union ironclads by James Eads during the American Civil War; but perhaps most remarkable was the founding in 1873 of Des Peres School by Susan Blow (daughter of diplomat and congressman Henry Blow, whose family owned and was central in the trial and eventual liberation of Dred Scott). It was the first continuous public school kindergarten in the United States. It is in the former Des Peres School building that the Carondelet Historical Society has found its home.
The building was purchased in 1981 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. There are several permanent exhibits in the former Des Peres School. The Susan Blow Kindergarten Room is on the first floor; it is maintained as it appeared in the 19th Century and features “Fröbel’s Gifts,” pedagogical materials developed by the German creator of the kindergarten movement, Friedrich Fröbel.
Encompassing the first floor hallway and both staircases is the Wall of Honor which honors Carondelet and other local veterans with individual photos. Service members honored range from the Civil War to present conflicts. The second floor houses the Cleveland High School Room, the Heritage Room (featuring furnishings from the 19th-early 20th centuries), and Memory Lane, a “Street of Stores” that features every imaginable consumer good, from toys to tools to an old-fashioned butcher shop. There are other numerous small exhibits throughout the building, including Carondelet Landmark Churches and a case of advertising ephemera from a variety of historic Carondelet businesses.
Between its closure as a school in 1935 and CHS’s occupancy, the building served a variety of functions, including as a dance hall, the La Verne Park "Kindergarten Grill" restaurant and Cook's Market. These changing roles took a toll on the building’s condition. Thanks to the generosity of our members and donors, the Carondelet Historical Society has undertaken major renovations over the last three decades in order to restore the building to its original appearance and to present the heritage of historical Carondelet to visitors. Much of the work has been accomplished by skilled volunteer members, while construction has been awarded to local contractors. Several major projects have been completed in the new millennium: the opening of bricked-in windows, the construction of the Fred Bouchein Library, a remodeling of the lower level to house temporary exhibits, the addition of an elevator to serve all three levels of the building, and major technological and archival upgrades. In January 2023, the Board of Directors hired the first paid employee in the history of the organization to manage the day to day operations of the organization.
Staff
President: David Eschmann
Vice President: Matthew Dauphin
Secretary / Treasurer: Robert Fox
Frederick Bouchein Library & Archives Committee Chair: Jerry Martin
Building & Assets Committee Chair: Vacant
Collections & Exhibitions Committee Chair: Vacant
1981
carondelethistoricalsociety
Elevator is installed
1967
The Bouchein Library was built
Our purpose is to preserve and present the rich heritage of the Carondelet area in St. Louis, Missouri, which includes the present neighborhoods of Carondelet, the Patch, Mount Pleasant, and Holly Hills, as well as portions of Dutchtown and Boulevard Heights. The greater Carondelet area, namely the land once reserved as the Carondelet Commons, extended south through parts of Lemay, Bella Villa, and Mehlville. Since purchasing the Des Peres School, the building has been updated an improved as the Carondelet History Museum and the Susan Blow Kindergarten has been restored to its 1870's appearance at a cost of $2 million dollars.
All of our income is received and generated from member dues, donations, bequests, and an investment account. We do not receive any financial support from the City, State, or Federal Government.
The Carondelet Historical Society operates with a 12 member Board of Directors that meets every month. Our volunteers are outstanding! They are the lifeblood of the organization and have sustained our efforts for close to sixty years.
Purchased the historic Des Peres School for $25,000 needing major repairs and renovations
Set up a tour today:
314-481-6303
carondelethistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
2009
2003
Site designed by Locality Studio
Administrative Coordinator: Michael Brickey
6303 Michigan Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63111
Hours
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Formed as a 501(c3) not for profit organization with 353 Charter Members
The meetings of the CHS Board of Directors are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 am in the Museum's Board / Meeting Room. The meetings are open to anyone wishing to attend.