Webster Groves Historical Society

When the Webster Groves Historical Society was incorporated on March 31, 1965 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, its initial goal was to save the 1867 home of Christopher and Mary Ann Eades Hawken, which was facing demolition. Today, the beautifully restored Hawken House sits in the City of Webster Groves' Southwest Park. The two-story home constructed of Saint Louis-made bricks is filled with elegant period furnishings, a number of which were gifts of Hawken family descendants. It is open to the public for tours, which include the formal herb garden maintained by the Webster Groves Herb Society. A few feet away, the architecturally accurate, 1989 History Barn/Hearth Room houses both the organization's archives and the Hearth Room at Historic Hawken House, a popular community meeting venue with seating for 120.

For the past fifty-five years, the Webster Groves Historical Society has carried out its mission in innumerable ways. With the support of its general membership, Board of Directors, and loyal volunteers, we contribute in the following ways, and more:
• Award Century Home Plaques to Webster Groves homeowners;
• Produce the FREE Hawken House Concert Series each summer;
• Digitize Webster Groves High School and Douglass High School yearbooks;
• Promote local history lore on our FaceBook page;
• Co-sponsor the biennial Awards of Excellence to promote Webster Groves architecture;
• Recognize outstanding community achievements through historical proclamations;
• Create historic walking tours with descriptive brochures;
• Preserve the unique black heritage of Webster Groves;
• Promote local artists and artisans at the annual Christmas and Summertime Market;
• Serve as the community's "institutional memory";
• Display Hawken House Museum exhibits of historical interest;
• Assist genealogical and local history researchers from around the world;
• Curate and preserve unique local archives in the History Barn;
• Co-sponsor events with two-dozen other Historic Saint Louis house museums;
• Maintain the Hawken House Museum and its furnishings;
• Provide a welcoming events venue in the Hearth Room at Historic Hawken House;
• Educate school groups and scouts on the importance of local history;
• Share our archive materials with the Webster Groves Public Library, to expand accessibility;
• Publish pamphlets and books of local interest;
• Sponsor house tours of historic Webster Groves;
• Operate a website presenting useful information to the public, free of charge; and
• Promote Webster Groves as a cultural center.