Sappington House Foundation

Historic structures transport us into our past where we wrestle with the complicated reality of our society’s origins but St. Louis's historic buildings are disappearing. Whether in service to civic development or due to decay and disuse, structures that provide a window to the past are increasingly rare.  The Sappington House Foundation has preserved and shared the 1808 Thomas Sappington home for 55 years. Now we have the opportunity to save a pristine log home dating to 1816; one of only a few left in the region. It will lead future generations to learn from our past by actually walking through the day-to-day lives of our predecessors.  

1816 Joseph Sappington House

Thomas Sappington’s house is the oldest brick home in the metro area, it stands where it was originally built in 1808. The home’s lawn has become the picturesque 2.5-acre Sappington Park with The Barn restaurant, The Library of Americana and Decorative Arts, and access to Grants Trail. Next door is Fr. Dickson’s Cemetery. 

This historic landmark was hand-built by members of the Sappington family. This same family also built the 1816 log home of Joseph Sappington. Joseph’s home has been saved and is now waiting to be reassembled across from Thomas’s inside the park. 

The two contrasting styles are not only wonderfully preserved examples of architecture but tell us the stories of St. Louis’s first American settlers after the Louisiana Purchase. Additionally, Joseph’s log home will meet the foundation's current need for additional educational, exhibit, and event space. 

The nonprofit Sappington House Foundation has embarked on this important and costly project, already collecting half the needed funds. The Joseph house has been carefully disassembled, the plans have been approved and Antique Logs Unlimited is preparing the log home for its new location. 

There is still a lot of work ahead. We still have a $500,000 fundraising goal. The space in the park must be prepared, utilities have to be reworked and the foundation must be poured before we can finally see Joseph’s home assembled. Will you help us restore and preserve the homes of this area’s first American families?  

For further information, phone 314-822-8171 or visit Our Website

The Spring 2023 article in the MEET Missouri magazine