Sappington House Museum in Crestwood offers a glimpse into St. Louis’s early life and history for all to see.
Built in 1808, it was the home of Thomas Sappington, a first lieutenant in the War of 1812, a Justice of the Peace and a local farmer, who lived there with his wife and five children until his death in 1860.
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Sappington moved west to Missouri from Maryland with architectural plans for the two-story, Federal-style house in hand. “This type of home, in that day and age, was rare,” says Sally Cakarous, resident manager of Sappington House. “It was a mansion for that time.”
The house is believed to be the oldest brick house in St. Louis County.
In 1963, the City of Crestwood purchased the property and opened it to the public as a historical site three years later. Historic Saint Louis, a local organization that encourages tourism to historic and notable St. Louis sites, operates the house and offers tours Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment. After an introductory video, visitors are treated to a tour of the interiors, including two bedrooms, the living room and kitchen, which was added on in 1821. The rooms are decorated with a mix of objects and furnishings belonging to the Sappingtons and others from the era acquired for the museum. The Library of Americana, located on the property, houses a collection of 4,000 books on American history and architecture. Nearly two centuries old, they are available to consult and read but not to check out. Overlooking the library is The Barn—a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. The addition of the Library and The Barn was completed in 1977.
As is the case with most historic homes, renovations are needed to sustain the house.
“The bricks, made 211 years ago on the property, are soft and absorbent,” says Cakarous. “Without gutters, when it rains it’s like a waterfall down the exterior. The moisture seeps through harming the interior walls.”
“Life was much more complicated back then,” she adds, “and this house really reflects that.”
