Missouri Botanical Garden Tower Grove | St Louis

Tower Grove House is a prominent historic residence located within the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. It stands as a significant architectural and cultural landmark that offers an intimate window into 19th-century life, the vision of the Garden’s founder Henry Shaw, and the early development of one of America’s oldest botanical institutions.

Location and Setting

Tower Grove House sits in the southeastern section of the Missouri Botanical Garden grounds, near the intersection of Shaw Boulevard and Tower Grove Avenue, in the Tower Grove neighborhood of St. Louis. The house is enveloped by meticulously maintained Victorian-era gardens, blending seamlessly with the broader landscape of the Botanical Garden. The surrounding gardens reflect Shaw’s original vision of integrating formal horticultural design with naturalistic plantings.

Architectural Significance

Constructed in 1849, Tower Grove House is a distinguished example of Italianate architecture, a popular style in mid-19th century America inspired by rural Italian villas. The design was created by architect George I. Barnett, one of St. Louis’s most influential 19th-century architects.

Key architectural features include:

A prominent tower, which served as a lookout point over the estate.

Stucco-covered brick and stone walls that provide a textured, solid appearance.

Tall, narrow windows with ornate crowns.

Wide eaves supported by decorative brackets.

Interior ceilings measuring 12 feet on the first floor and soaring up to 15 feet on the second floor, emphasizing spaciousness and grandeur.

This combination of Italianate elements gives the house an elegant yet approachable aesthetic, emblematic of the refined tastes of Henry Shaw.

Historical Background

Henry Shaw, an English immigrant and successful businessman, purchased the land for his country estate in the mid-1800s. He commissioned Tower Grove House as his personal residence away from the urban core, where he could enjoy nature and cultivate his passion for horticulture. Shaw also founded the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1859, making the house central to the origins of the Garden itself.

After Shaw’s death in 1889, the house became the residence of Dr. William Trelease, the first director of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Trelease family modernized the home by adding indoor plumbing and a contemporary kitchen, reflecting changing technologies and lifestyles.

Over time, Tower Grove House served multiple roles, including as a dormitory for Garden staff and an administrative office. In 1953, it was transformed into a public historic house museum, preserving the legacy of Shaw, his family, and the early history of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Interior and Museum Exhibits

Today, Tower Grove House operates as a museum offering visitors a detailed glimpse into the domestic life and social history of the late 19th century, intertwined with the botanical heritage of the Garden.

Key features and exhibits include:

Reception Room: Visitors start here with an introductory video outlining the history of Henry Shaw, the Botanical Garden, and the house itself.

Dining Rooms: Two distinct dining spaces showcase the social customs and formalities of Victorian-era entertaining. These rooms contain period-appropriate furnishings and artifacts.

Kitchen: Exhibits display a restored coal-burning stove and interpret the evolution of food preparation technologies from Shaw’s era to the early 20th century.

Bedrooms: The bedrooms preserve period furniture and décor that reveal the personal lives and tastes of both Shaw and the Trelease families.

Basement: This area is dedicated to exploring the roles of the estate’s staff, including the enslaved people who worked on Shaw’s properties, providing a comprehensive and sobering historical perspective.

Each room is thoughtfully curated to blend architectural integrity with historical storytelling, enriched by artifacts, photographs, and interpretive panels.

Surrounding Gardens and Features

Tower Grove House is situated within the Victorian District of the Missouri Botanical Garden, an area designed to reflect 19th-century garden aesthetics and horticultural practices. Highlights include:

Kresko Family Victorian Garden: A restored garden that recreates the intricate floral beds and seasonal plantings typical of the Victorian period, emphasizing symmetry and ornate design.

St. Louis Herb Society Herb Garden: A smaller, enclosed garden that displays culinary, medicinal, and aromatic herbs, echoing the kitchen gardens that would have been integral to Tower Grove House in its early years.

Piper Observatory: A replica of a 19th-century observation tower offering panoramic views of the Botanical Garden and the city beyond, enhancing the historical ambiance of the site.

These gardens provide context to the house’s function as part of a larger horticultural estate and create a richly immersive visitor experience.

Visitor Information

Visiting Season: Tower Grove House is typically open to the public from April through October, operating Wednesday through Sunday.

Hours: Generally from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, though hours may vary during special events or holidays.

Admission: Entry to Tower Grove House is included with the general Missouri Botanical Garden ticket.

Accessibility: While the house maintains much of its historic character, efforts are made to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges, including guided tours that consider accessibility needs.

Importance and Legacy

Tower Grove House stands as a testament to Henry Shaw’s vision not only as a botanical pioneer but also as a cultural and civic leader in St. Louis. The house and its surrounding gardens preserve a vital chapter in the city’s history, illustrating how personal passion for nature and design can shape a lasting public legacy.

Visitors benefit from a rich educational experience that blends architecture, horticulture, and social history. The house’s interpretation of the lives of both its wealthy owners and the workers on the estate creates a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of 19th-century Missouri.

Its preservation within the Missouri Botanical Garden ensures that Tower Grove House remains a treasured landmark, inspiring appreciation for history, architecture, and the natural world for generations to come.