Travel Back In Time For An Authentic 1800s Luncheon At One Of Missouri's Most Beautiful Estates
By Liz Oliver|Published May 02, 2018
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Liz Oliver
Author
Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. in English from Mizzou and a M.A. in Non-Profit Administration from Lindenwood University. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Her true passion is forcing her encyclopedic knowledge of Missouri facts on uninterested strangers from across the globe!
All around Missouri birds are chirping, trees are getting leaves, and flowers are blooming. These sure signs of spring mean that it’s time to shed the winter coat and spend time outside soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. Seize the opportunity to spend the day at one of the most beautiful estates in Missouri with a luncheon at Thornhill in Faust Park. After lunch, explore all that Faust Park has to offer!
The Thornhill Estate at Faust Park preserves the family residence of Missouri's second governor, Frederick Bates. At the time, Governor Bates would set off on a one day trek to St. Charles where the state capitol once resided. Although the Bate's lived in this grand house, life on the frontier was still challenging.
The Bates Family moved to Missouri in 1807. Mr. Bates has a large role in settling the new acquired Louisiana Territory. On November 17, 1824, in St. Charles, Bates was sworn in as second governor of Missouri but died just one year later. He is buried in the cemetery near the house along with his wife, Nancy, and two of their four children.
The estate is open on select weekends during the spring and summer seasons. This spring, one of the first events at Thornhill will be a luncheon complete with polite conversation and period dressed reenactors.
You'll be delighted to dine just as they would have in the early 1800s. The table is set with the finest china and linens for special guests and the ladies will certainly be wearing their best.
Don't let the plate of sweets pass you by either. Each dish will be prepared on-site in the summer kitchen. Summer kitchens were essential in times prior to air conditioning to ensure that the house did not get too hot from the ovens.
The luncheon at Thornhill will be held on May 12, so it's the perfect Mother's Day activity! Be sure to make reservations because space is limited for this lovely event.
Reservations can be made by calling 314-615-8328. You can also reserve you spot online at the St. Louis County parks website. The estate can be found inside Faust Park at 15185 Olive Blvd.,
Chesterfield.
Have you visited the Thornhill Estate at Faust Park? Have you visited the other great attractions in the park like the historical village, butterfly house, or carousel? Tell us about your time at Faust Park in the comments below.
