Faust Park in northwest St. Louis County reopened one
of its unusual attractions just in time for the summer season.
The historic St. Louis Carousel is back in business, after
a complete overhaul.
That carousal is a prime destination for younger kids.
But, the park has lots of other attractions that give kids
of all ages and their families plenty to do.
And the active event schedule in May is a good time to
get a taste of several of those Faust Park attractions.
(For details, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks.)
Many kids in the metro area know about Forest Park, the
Zoo, the Science Center, Cahokia Mounds and the Lewis and
Clark museums. But, there are a number of smaller, more
local attractions that are worth more than one visit.
Kids can compile their own special list of destinations
that have events and activities for a wide variety of interests.
Many of these parks have calendars that you can check to
find upcoming shows.
Faust Park is one of these smaller entertainment jewels.
And May is the start of the spring and summer season of
special events.
The St. Louis Carousel
The
carousel was first installed in 1929 in the Forest Park
Highlands amusement park. But, when a massive fire burned
down the Highlands in 1963, the carousel was one of the
few things left standing.
The carousel was purchased by a private citizen and donated
to the St. Louis County Parks. It operated outdoors in Sylvan
Springs Park until 1980.
By that time it was desperately in need of renovation.
With help of two public historical groups, the carousel
was installed in its own climate-controlled building in
Faust Park in 1987.
Jim Foley is the cultural site manager at Faust Park.
He said the carousel was in need of another renovation at
the end of last year. Therefore, it was shutdown at the
first of 2010, completely dismantled and reconditioned.
After
the complete overhaul, a grand re-opening celebration was
held on April 15, 2010, The carousel is now on its regular
schedule, which is Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Admission is $1 for "kids of all ages," Mr. Foley said.
For information, call (636)537-0222.
Foley said the carousel is often paired with the Butterfly
House when schools bring kids to the park on field trips.
Faust Historic Village
The
Faust Historic Village is a unique collection of historic
buildings that have been saved from the wrecker's ball and
relocated at the park. Buildings include several residences
as well as a carriage house, smokehouse, barns and schoolhouse.
These buildings have been restored and placed to resemble
a small pioneer village. In many cases, they have been surrounded
by authentic period plantings and gardens.
Faust Village will hold its 2010 Open House on May 15
and 16. During the open house, people in period costumes
are on hand to show how life was in early St. Louis.
Also, on the 3rd and 4th weekends of May, June, July and
August, the village will open free open house activities
on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Thornhill: Home of Missouri's 2nd Governor
Thornhill
was the home of Frederick Bates, the state's 2nd governor,
and now is the oldest existing governor's residence in the
state.
Ultimately, the site encompassed over 1,000 acres overlooking
the Missouri River.
And, after Governor Bates died in 1825, Thornhill because
a landmark in the new state of Missouri.
This year's open house will be May 8 and 9, which is the
Mother's Day weekend.
An open house tour will cover not only the home-which
is fully decorated inside--but the detached kitchen, icehouse,
smokehouse and blacksmith shop. There is also the family
cemetery. The site also includes a heritage peach orchard
and a distillery where Bates made peach brandy.
There are three barns, a granary, a hay barn and a livestock
barn.
The Butterfly House
The
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House opened in 1998. Two years
later, an outdoor Butterfly Garden was added.
Then, in 2007, the historic Faust Family greenhouse was
renovated and now provides a significant portion of the
animal food needs.
On May 1, the Jurassic Bugs exhibit will open.
Featured will be such things as a 30-inch dragon fly,
foot-long cockroaches and a 10-foot sea scorpion.
On Mother's Day, the Butterfly House will offer a unique
brunch opportunity for families. There is a fee for this
and reservations must be made.
Also, starting May 1, the Butterfly House will host kids'
birthday parties.
For information and reservations, visit www.butterflyhouse.org.
