What’s the latest buzz surrounding the Campbell House Museum? It’s bringing back Busy Bee, an historic and celebrated St. Louis candy brand that operated from 1881 to 1959.
Hugh Campbell (1847–1931), the son of Robert Campbell (who formerly owned the historic home), adored Busy Bee chocolates. It was his preferred gift. He’d often donate the candy to local charities and was known to give chocolate boxes to his holiday guests. He’s also gift Busy Bee chocolates to the boys at Father Dunne’s Newsboys Home, where he also provided food and anonymously hosted a Thanksgiving feast for many years. Each boy’s plate, according to archives from The St. Louis Republic, contained a dollar bill, a box of Busy Bee candy, and a toy turkey.
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Food historian and museum volunteer Suzanne Corbett came across Hugh’s admiration for the candy last year while working on her book, The Gilded Table: Recipes and Table History from the Campbell House.
“This man would spend close to $1,500 a year on candy and chocolate at time when it was running 40 cents a pound,” Corbett says. “That kind of shows you how much chocolate that he gave out to people… It’s just really a cool story, and it’s part of our unique culinary history.”
To continue Hugh’s tradition, Campbell House has partnered with Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate to debut Busy Bee chocolate boxes. The boxes are available online and at the Campbell House gift shop for $9.95. The eight-piece collection includes cherry cordials, sea salt caramels, chocolate caramels, vanilla caramels, and peanut butter swirls (all popular candies from the early 1900s).
All of the proceeds from the chocolate boxes will support the ongoing preservation of Campbell House, which is located in St. Louis’ first private neighborhood, Lucas Place.
