Carondelet Historical Society

Carondelet Historical Society
founded in 1967
"Preserving and Presenting the Heritage
of Carondelet"

The Carondelet Historical Society was founded in 1967 with 353 charter members, active citizens and community leaders who shared a common interest in perpetuating the heritage of their remarkable community. Before it was a south-city neighborhood, Carondelet developed in parallel with St. Louis; it was an independent settlement founded in 1767 by French settler Clément Delor de Treget. Many notabl

e events mark the history of Carondelet, from the transfer of the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1804, to the sale of land that would become Jefferson Barracks to the US government, to the building of Union ironclads by James Eads during the Civil War; but perhaps most remarkable was the founding in 1873 of Des Peres School by Susan Blow (daughter of diplomat and congressman Henry Blow, whose family owned and was central in the trial and eventual liberation of Dred Scott). It was the first continuous public school kindergarten in the United States. It is in the former Des Peres School building that the Carondelet Historical Society has found its home. The building was purchased in 1981 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. There are several permanent exhibits in the Carondelet Historic Center. The Susan Blow Kindergarten Room is on the first floor; it is maintained as it appeared in the 19th Century and features “Fröbel’s Gifts,” pedagogical materials developed by the German creator of the kindergarten movement, Friedrich Fröbel. Encompassing the first floor hallway and both staircases is the Wall of Honor which honors Carondelet and other local veterans with individual photos. Service members honored range from the Civil War to present conflicts. The second floor houses the Cleveland High School Room, the Heritage Room (featuring furnishings from the 19th-early 20th centuries), and Memory Lane, a “Street of Stores” that features every imaginable consumer good, from toys to tools to an old-fashioned butcher shop. There are additionally numerous small exhibits throughout the building. Between its closure as a school in the 1930s and CHS’s occupancy, the building served a variety of functions, including as a dance hall, a restaurant and a market; these changing roles took a toll on the building’s condition. Funded entirely by members and friends, the Carondelet Historical Society has undertaken major renovations over the last three decades in order to restore the building to its original appearance (the inset photo was taken in 1876) and to present the heritage of historical Carondelet to visitors. Much of the work has been accomplished by skilled volunteer members, while construction has been awarded to local contractors. Several major projects have been completed in the new millennium: the opening of bricked-in windows (a phased project for which work and fundraising are ongoing), the construction of the Bouchein Library, a remodeling of the lower level, the addition of an elevator to serve all three levels of the building, and major technological and archival upgrades. Through a large donation by late member and former CHS president Lois Waninger, we are on the cusp of our next major project: the complete replacement of the roof.

04/18/2026

We're excited to be participating in this event with other members of St Louis Regional History Organizations at Jefferson Barracks Park. It should be a fun day!

The Saint Louis Area History Showcase is less than two months away! 🎉Celebrate two major milestones: America’s 250th birthday and the 200th anniversary of Jefferson Barracks! This event is free and open to all!

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Jefferson Barracks Park (345 North Road, St. Louis, MO 63125)

Enjoy:
• Exhibits and artifacts
• Live demonstrations
• Live music and food trucks
• Hands‑on activities for all ages

Local museums, historical societies, and cultural groups are invited to participate. One table and two chairs will be provided, and organizations may bring artifacts or educational materials.
Interested in hosting a table? Visit stlregionalhistory.org or email [email protected]

04/16/2026

Quinn Chapel needs your help.
Join us for a Clean-Up Day to clean and secure this historic Carondelet site and take the first step toward its future.
🗓 Saturday, April 18, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 227 Bowen St.

Volunteers Needed! We’ll be clearing trash, cutting back vegetation, and improving site conditions.

What Will Be Provided
• Donuts
• Gloves
• Pallets (for brick stacking)
• Shovels
• Wheelbarrow
• Dumpster

We’re also seeking donations of yard tools and tools/materials for basic board-up work.
📩 Message us if you can contribute supplies.

Photos from Carondelet Historical Society's post

03/21/2026

Come join us on Sunday, Mar. 29 at 1:30 p.m. to hear Caitlin Yager of Missouri Humanities speak about her new book, "Small Town Missouri: Legends, Lore, and Attractions in the Show Me State."

02/06/2026

Coming up on Sunday 2/22 at 1:30 p.m., Jeff Smith, emeritus professor of History at Lindenwood University, will give a presentation on the "Rural Cemetery Movement in Nineteenth Century America."

When Mount Auburn opened as the first “rural” cemetery in the United States in 1831, it broke with conventional notions about graveyards as places to bury and commemorate the dead. Over the next three decades, cemeteries became places for leisure, communing with nature, and creating a version of collective memory. Cemetery design increasingly reflected changing values and attitudes of Americans wrestling with rapid urbanization. These “rural” cemeteries provided green spaces and respites from congested cities, established institutions where people could craft their roles in collective memory, and served as prototypes for both urban planning and city parks.

This is the first talk in our 2026 speaker series. Throughout the year, we host public lectures (no more than once a month) on a range of historical topics. This event is free and open to the public. Stay tuned for more info on our 2026 series.

12/20/2025

We will be closed from 2:00 p.m. today, 12/20/25, until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday 1/7/2026. We wish you all a Happy Holiday season no matter what holiday you may or may not celebrate and a very Happy New Year. (Clipping from CHS newsletter, Dec. 1973, indicating "the many nationalities that once resided in the old city of Carondelet.")

John Henry Remelius Obituary November 18, 2025 - John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes

12/06/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the passing our dear friend, former president, longtime volunteer and board member, John Remelius. He was a genuine and gracious person who lived an honorable life and we will miss him dearly. Last year, in recognition of John's years of service to the organization and its members, the Carondelet Historical Society Board of Directors dedicated its meeting room, the John Remelius Meeting Room. We will host a visitation for John in this room on Saturday, December 13, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. After the visitation, a memorial service will be held.

John Henry Remelius Obituary November 18, 2025 - John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes View John Henry Remelius's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/19/2025

We will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving, Wed. 11/26 - Sat. 11/29.
We will reopen with our regular hours on Wed. 12/3.

11/15/2025

11/08/2025

Sunday Nov. 16, 1:30 p.m.
"History at/of St. Louis County Parks"
Guinn Hinman, St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation

Join us in one week for what's sure to be an interesting and informative presentation from the Historic and Cultural Sites Manager of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation

06/26/2025

🇺🇸 We will be closed
Friday July 4th and
Saturday July 5th. 🇺🇸

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Location

St. Louis

Telephone

+13144816303

Website

http://www.carondelethistory.org/

Address

6303 Michigan Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63111

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 2pm
Friday	10am - 2pm
Saturday	10am - 2pm