The Kirkwood Historical Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that preserves and promotes Kirkwood’s history and the National Landmark, Mudd’s Grove . It was organized in 1961 and received its 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service in July 1963. The society makes its headquarters in Mudd’s Grove, a Greek Revival Mansion built in 1859 and located in the heart of Kirkwood at 302 West Argonne Drive.
THE HISTORY OF MUDD’S GROVE
Construction of the magnificent Greek Revival home known as Mudd’s Grove got underway in 1859 and was completed in 1864 for John Hoffman, a local builder and real estate developer. Henry T. Mudd and his family were the first residents, and they lived at Mudd’s Grove for 18 years from 1864 to 1865.
Using the soft salmon brick, common to the area, the house is built with masonry walls. In order to protect the brick’s fragile character, the exterior is painted. The first and second floors of the three-story dwelling were identical, having two rooms on the east and two on the west, separated by a central stair hall.
Each room has a nearly identical manteled fireplace leading to one of the distinctive twin chimneys in the gable parapets. The room arrangement, method of construction, fireplaces for heat and high ceilings for ventilation make this house a functional and practical design for the St. Louis climate.
Mudd’s Grove has been recognized as historically significant by the National Register of Historic Places. It was purchased by the Kirkwood Historical Society in 1992. Members of the Society have been lauded by the City of Kirkwood for their personal involvement in restoring the house to its original elegance. The Society operates it as a museum and resource center.
Officers:
- President: Deb Hill-Jablonski
- Vice President: Angie Bernardi
- Secretary: Connie Krapfl
- Treasurer: Lucy Tidwell
Directors:
- Angelika Adams
- Gerry Biedenstein
- Kylie Christenall
- Katie Compton
- Fonda Fantroy Richards
- Aaron Landis
- Linda Marr
- Kerry Moran
- Ann Quiqley