Henry Shaw

Henry Shaw’s Town House

I’ve shared pictures here and there of Henry Shaw’s beautiful country home, Tower Grove House, around which the Missouri Botanical Garden was built:

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But did you know that he also had a town house, originally located at the southwest corner of 7th and Locust in downtown St. Louis, designed by the same architect, George Barnett?

The house was dismantled following his death, according to instructions left in his will, and reassembled on the property of the Missouri Botanical Garden, where it is now home to the Garden’s administrative offices.

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It was built in the Victorian Renaissance Revival style, to resemble European palaces, and it shows. The large balcony facing Tower Grove Avenue is reminiscent of the setting from which you would expect to see a monarch and family appearing at a great national event.

The legacy which Henry Shaw left to St. Louis is extensive and amazing!

Celebrating Henry Shaw’s Birthday

Today, the Missouri Botanical Garden celebrated the 214th birthday of its founder, Henry Shaw.

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It was a fun day to be there. They had performers, like this stilt-walker/balloon artist:

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And the museum building was open to the public, which is usually is not:

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But the best part were the costumes:

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Especially a top-hatted Henry Shaw himself!

It was a fun way to celebrate the man who gifted St. Louis with such a lovely garden!