St. Charles County has a rich and notable heritage, stretching back to the 1700s when its abundant natural resources and geolocation drew attention from explorers and settlers bound for the Mississippi River. Founded in 1821 when Missouri first achieved statehood, St. Charles County has played a pivotal role in the region’s history, and since then has committed to preserving locations that commemorate its history.
From the First Missouri State Capital Historic Site, South Main Historic District and Frenchtown Historic District, all in downtown St. Charles, to The Historic Daniel Boone Home and Hays Home in Defiance, our county is full of places to visit to learn about our history. One such place is the St. Charles County Heritage Museum in St. Peters.
The Heritage Museum is located on the site formerly known to many as Kuhlmann’s Grove, which has been a popular recreational area for county residents for nearly 100 years. Since the County purchased the site in 2006, this campus and its almost 6,000-square foot facility has been hosting free, interpretive exhibits focusing on local and state history.
As a former history teacher, I am excited to announce that the museum will be revealing three new displays this year covering key eras of St. Charles County’s past. “The American Revolutionary War in the West,” “Colonial St. Charles,” and “The War of 1812 in St. Charles” exhibits, opening in May, will offer exciting new looks into untold stories, and feature many rare and never-before-displayed artifacts, original documents, uniforms, and flags to help bring our history alive.
Telling the story of St. Charles County is a passion of mine, and I am thrilled at the efforts of historical preservation such as those at the Heritage Museum. I think our citizens would be surprised to learn of the incredible stories and pivotal moments St. Charles County has experienced throughout the years. I encourage you to get out and explore our history!