A St. Louis Christmas – The Timeless Holiday Tradition of The Campbell House
Built in 1851: A St. Louis Christmas Legacy
Built in 1851 and expanded by fur-trader Robert Campbell and his family, the Campbell House Museum in St. Louis was lovingly restored to reflect the high-Victorian opulence of the 1880s. It’s filled with hundreds of original Campbell possessions—furniture, paintings, clothing, letters, and even carriages—making it a must-see for anyone seeking a St. Louis Christmas experience steeped in history.
Holiday Magic at the Museum: A Timeless Holiday Tradition
Visiting during the holidays means stepping into a timeless holiday tradition that reveals how the Campbells might have celebrated Christmas more than a century ago. The Campbell House Museum in St. Louis transforms into a showcase of Victorian splendor, with festive garlands, candlelight, and richly decorated rooms. Each space feels warm, ornate, and full of seasonal joy, offering a glimpse into the elegance of the 1880s. Experiencing a St. Louis Christmas here is like stepping back in time, surrounded by history, beauty, and the spirit of the season.
Tucked behind the main home, the Carriage House at the Campbell House Museum adds its own holiday charm to the St. Louis Christmas season, adorned with presents, twinkling lights, and Victorian touches. Once home to the Campbells’ carriages and horses, it now captures the warmth and craftsmanship of Christmas past. Click here to plan a splendid outing this Holiday!
Lavish Gatherings and Generous Spirits
The Campbells knew how to throw a party—guests like President Ulysses S. Grant, General William Tecumseh Sherman, James Eads, and Henry Shaw dined here, and Virginia Campbell even had the formal parlor doubled in size for these grand celebrations. Their Christmas gatherings (and later those of their son Hugh) were truly lavish, and each guest got to choose a one-of-a-kind ornament from the main tree to take home—a timeless holiday tradition that delighted generations.
Campbell Holiday Generosity: A Timeless Holiday Tradition
Not only did the Campbells give away ornaments during their elaborate holiday parties, but they were also known for sharing chocolates with local families, orphaned children, and friends. Food historian and museum volunteer Suzanne Corbett found that Hugh Campbell gave away so much chocolate in his day that he spent nearly $1,000 a year. (In fact, in 1923, Hugh’s ledger shows Busy Bee Candy receiving $927—roughly $17,500 today!) This generosity was a timeless holiday tradition that made the Campbell House a highlight for many St. Louisans.
Reviving the Historic Busy Bee Candies: A Limited Edition Tradition
In recent years, the Campbell House Museum partnered with the confectioner Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate to create limited-edition Busy Bee chocolate boxes, reviving the beloved St. Louis brand that originally ran from 1881 to 1959. These boxes featured cherry cordials, sea-salt caramels, vanilla caramels, peanut-butter swirls, and other early 1900s favorites. This fund-raising project gives visitors a sweet connection to the past. Purchase your own specialty box of Busy Bee Chocolates to enhance your experience of a historic St. Louis Christmas!
Holiday Tour Highlights:
Vintage Christmas Decor
- A papier-mâché reindeer named “Vixen”, part of a Christmas centerpiece from about 1895 and now the focal point of their annual display.
- Lush greenery and floral decorations throughout the home, meant to evoke the festive feel the Campbells once created for their famous holiday parties.
- Two Christmas trees representing different eras: a smaller tabletop tree to reflect earlier Victorian style and a larger tree showing how the tradition grew by the end of the 19th century.
- Elaborate, vintage holiday decor throughout: including intricate nativity scenes, and old toys & dolls from the era.
Behind the Scenes: Bringing a St. Louis Christmas to Life at the Campbell House
Preparing the Campbell House For The Holidays
Preparing the Campbell House Museum for a St. Louis Christmas is as much about history as it is about holiday cheer. From dusting and polishing original Campbell possessions to arranging period-appropriate decor, every detail honors the timeless holiday traditions of the Campbell family.
Table settings are another fascinating detail. Museum curators carefully arrange silverware, china, and glassware to match the Campbells’ original Victorian holiday dinners. Each table reflects the traditions of the family, from lavish centerpieces to hand-placed napkins, showing visitors how elegance and warmth were combined for festive entertaining.
Even the smallest touches are meaningful. For example, candles are arranged in historically accurate holders, garlands are draped exactly as the Campbells would have done, ornaments & toys are strategically placed to recreate the joy of a bygone era. These little details make every visit a fully immersive St. Louis Christmas, connecting guests to more than a century of holiday history.
Designer’s Eye: Campbell House History
Since 1943, the Campbell House Foundation has operated and preserved the Campbell House Museum. They carried out a detailed restoration to bring it back to its original grandeur Using 1880s interior photographs and paint-analysis. The rooms were returned to how they looked in the Campbell family’s time—with furniture in the original places, reproduction wallpaper hung, carpets and hand-painted wall details brought back to life!
As a designer – I loved seeing how remnants of the original fabrics & walls were saved, analyzed and recreated to bring this historical residence alive.
