The New Haven Preservation Society

Securing the Future by Preserving Our Past   

One of the strengths of having a team of older, experienced individuals working on a project is their heightened sense of urgency. We understand that time is of the essence, and our collective knowledge and experience empower us to take decisive action. In the case of the New Haven Preservation Society, this urgency is amplified by the fragile state of the historic buildings we seek to preserve. 

In 2023, we achieved a significant milestone by rescuing the 1893 Anna Bell Chapel at 225 Selma from its precarious condition. The building, which had partially sunk into the mud, was temporarily lifted six feet off the ground to allow for the installation of a new foundation. This critical construction phase consumed the majority of the funds generously donated by our community for the restoration project.

In 2024, our efforts focused on protecting the Anna Bell Chapel from the elements while pursuing additional funding to complete its restoration. This chapel, originally the AME Church of New Haven, holds a special place in history as it was built by a congregation of formerly enslaved people and served as a house of worship and community hub for New Haven’s Black residents for over a century. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In December, Missouri Preservation included the Anna Bell Chapel on its 2024 list of historic “Places in Peril,” underscoring the urgency of our work.   At the end of February 2025, we received news that a grant application submitted to the National Trust for Historic Preservation had been approved for funding. This grant will help us restore Anna Bell Chapel’s physical integrity and spiritual purpose.  

Our primary project for the last 35 years, the preservation of the 1883 school building at 810 Maupin, remains a significant undertaking. This historic structure, once the town’s grade school and high school, houses six large classrooms. To date, four classrooms and part of the basement have been fully renovated and now serve as museum galleries, an archive room, and event space. These spaces hosted over 2,000 visitors across 82 events, meetings and tours in 2024, highlighting their value to the community.

However, two classrooms on the second floor remain in a state of disrepair. Our vision includes renovating these spaces to accommodate additional museum displays and community resources, installing a much-needed second restroom, roof repairs as needed and repair or replacement of all windows. Securing funding and resources for this next phase is a priority as we continue to honor our mission of preserving New Haven’s rich history for future generations.

As we reflect on the progress made, we remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving these irreplaceable landmarks. With help from Give STL Day, we are confident that 2025 will bring us closer to achieving our goals.