Two of St. Louis’ finest historic homes are opening their doors for a “An Old-Fashioned Christmas Tour” on Dec. 13 and 14, decorated in all their holiday glory.
The French Renaissance “Magic Chef Mansion” and the Victorian-style Campbell House Museum are teaming up to offer a step back in time – holiday style. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Magic Chef Mansion was built in 1908 for Charles Stockstrom, the founder of the Quick Meal Stove Company, later renamed Magic Chef. The largest stove maker in the world at one time, the St. Louis plant employed 2,000 people.
Stockstrom worked with architect Ernst Janssen to design the 12,000-square-foot home. Construction began in 1907, and was completed a year later at a cost of $49,500. In 1935, Stockstrom died at age 83. His daughter, Adda Ohmeyer, continued to live in the mansion until her death in 1990.
All of the original furnishings and some of the fixtures were sold at a week-long public auction prior to the house’s sale in the fall of 1990 to the current owner. Over the next 20 years, some of the original items were tracked down, repurchased and returned to the house. The home has been painstakingly restored to its turn-of-the-century elegance, including original lighting fixtures and period furnishings. Surrounded by two acres, the home is located in the Compton Hill Reservoir Square neighborhood.
The Campbell House Museum was built in 1851, the first house in the elegant Lucas Place neighborhood. It was the home of Robert Campbell, a renowned fur trader and entrepreneur. He and his family lived in the home from 1854 until 1938. The museum contains hundreds of original Campbell possessions, including furniture, paintings, clothing, letters, carriages and a set of interior photographs taken in the mid-1880s.
Tickets are $30 in advance at eventbrite.com, and $40 at the door on the day of the self-guided tour. Tickets allow access to both mansions. Beer, wine and a specialty drink will be available for purchase at The Magic Chef Mansion, and a special treat will be offered at The Campbell House Museum. The Magic Chef Mansion is located at 3400 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104 The Campbell House Museum is at 1508 Locust St., St. Louis MO 63103
For more information, visit magicchefmansion.com or campbellhousemuseum.org.
