Historic Village
As St. Louis County has been progressively developed, many nineteenth century structures have been lost. But Faust Historic Village has and continues to preserve the area's vernacular architecture and history. There are four homes and a total of 16 structures representing a variety of building and architectural styles, from log to brick. Spanning a period from 1840 to 1888, the Village illustrates differences in lifestyle representing various professions, developments and needs of the period.
- Miles A. Seed invented and manufactured photographic dry plates and other supplies that brought photography to every day people beginning in the 1880s. He built an elegant mansion and carriage house in Jennings. Only the Queen Anne style carriage house survived the 20th century, however. It has been converted to the Faust Park office.
- Henry Hoch used his skill as a brick maker to begin a business in partnership with his brother, and eventually opened a well-known general store. His small German brick cottage was built around 1880.
- Frank Kaatman and his father and grandfather were lifetime blacksmiths. Tools of the trade can be found in the Yokel barn.
- Dr. Fredrick Bates and his wife, Lavinia, lived comfortably on his income as a physician farmer and on his inheritance from his father. After Dr. Bates death, in 1862, his widow married Samuel Conway.
- Ludwig and Salome Hiller Mertz moved from Alsace-Lorraine with two children. They bought a farm, built this cabin in phases, and raised six children in the cabin, engendering many descendents.
- The Davis House exhibits a long and interesting history in construction and detailing.
The village provides a context in which the life styles of the settlers of St. Louis County and the skills they used to survive are illustrated. Blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, natural dyeing, and other antique arts are all demonstrated at different times of the year.
Weekends —
Our largest event is on the fourth weekend in September, when Faust Historic Village hosts the Folk and Fine Arts Festival. The Historic Village is also open on select weekends in May, June, July and August from 1pm to 5pm. Staff in period costume offer a variety of demonstrations and free tours. Thornhill, the oldest standing governor’s residence in the State of Missouri, will also be open on select dates in Spring and Summer.
Weekdays —
Guided Tours — Custom 90 minute tour includes the inside and outside of the restored homes for groups of up to 50 people by appointment by calling 314-615-8FAU.
Self-Guided – Year round; buildings can be viewed from the outside.
No pets allowed in our historic areas please.