by Thanks to a large number of photographs taken by a family member in 1885 (which can be seen on their website), the Campbell House in St. Louis, Missouri, has been meticulously restored to the Victorian era. It had once been part of a fancy neighborhood, Lucas Place, but today is the last building standing of that bygone era.
The 1851 home looks insignificant from the street, but it stretches back, and back, and back. There were a couple of owners in its first years, but then in 1854 it was purchased by the Campbell family and remained with them until the mid 20th century.
The house was the home of Robert and Virginia Campbell (who met in 1835 when she was 13 and he was 31 – ouch), along with their children.
Though one of the wealthiest families of the time, they were struck by tragedy again and again: the Campbells had 13 children, but only three survived to adulthood due to common diseases at the time like cholera and measles.
The family was known for their generosity, especially to Father Dunne’s Newsboys Home. They also had friends in high places, including Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, who came to dinner many times over the years, before, after, and during Grant’s presidency.
The Campbells made two major additions to the house during their time. They also purchased the lot next door, allowing them to add a garden, carriage house, and servants’ hall.
After Virginia died in 1882, the home passed to their adult children, none of whom married. When the last heir died in 1938, a group formed to rescue it, and it opened as a house museum in 1943. Thanks to quick action, the home is full of original furnishings and details, making it a true snapshot in time of a long-passed era.
