Explore St. Louis

Faust Historical Village comes alive during the annual Faust Folk Festival at the eponymous St. Louis County Park. On Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25, reenactors in period costume give interpretations of life during the 19th century. The setting is perfect. The village consists of 19th century buildings—all authentic to the area and period—including a carriage house, a typical form of German construction from around 1880, two barns, a blacksmith shop, two smokehouses and a log cabin with two log-box rooms connected by a breezeway.

Tours of the village focus on the restoration process, the cultural heritage of various types of construction and the lifestyles of the families who lived and worked there. You’ll see demonstrations of blacksmithing, metalwork, rail splitting, wheat weaving, and craft making including cornhusk dolls, wood carving and silhouette cutting. Live period music sets the tone for this annual family event. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

During your visit, don't miss Faust Park's other delights. The beautiful St. Louis County Park is home to the Butterfly House, the historic Thornhill estate and the festive St. Louis Carousel.

Be sure to wear bright clothing to attract plenty of ‘butterfly kisses’ when you visit St. Louis’ popular Butterfly House attraction. A three-story crystal palace filled with tropical foliage houses up to 2,000 of the beautiful winged creatures in free flight. You’ll also be able to watch the creatures transform from chrysalis stage to take wing in their new home. A film about the life cycle of the insect, a soon-to-be-complete outdoor butterfly garden and a fun gift shop named – what else? – Madame Butterfly’s round out the experience.

Become a kid again and experience a magical ride aboard the St. Louis Carousel. Made by the Dentzel Co. of Philadelphia circa 1920, this phenomenal carousel has more than 60 hand-carved horses, deer and chariots and will charm you with its gentle entertainment. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a climate-controlled facility within Faust Park, you can experience a ride that will transport you back to simpler times.

Thornhill, the 1819 estate of Missouri’s second governorFrederick Bates also is located in Faust Park. The site includes eight buildings--the house, two barns, a summer kitchen, a smoke house, a distillery, an ice house and a granary. Some of the buildings were built in the early 1800s while others were built in the 1900s. Also on the grounds is the cemetery where the former governor and his family are buried.

Mark your calendar for October 21 and 22. That's when Thornhill takes on an eerie glow during the candlelight Faust Historical Haunting, a Halloween-inspired event. The estate of Frederick Bates provides the setting and prompts the question, "Is Thornhill haunted?" Storytellers share the spooky tale of resident ghosts during tours of the mansion and family cemetery. Learn fascinating facts about memorial and burial practices of the early 1800s and more during this spooktacular annual happening.