to the reason Faust Park was preserved in 1968 by Leicester and Mary Faust,” Ritchey said. She said the park staff have come up with a “personal” motto posted on the wall in the visitor center — “preserving your past for your children’s future” — and “we are striving forward to live by that motto.” “So, in the coming years, you’ll see many new family-oriented programs coming to Faust, not just history based,” Ritchey said. For instance, Faust will hold a family campout in May behind the governor’s house near the Missouri River, where families can camp out on a site that has been lived in by Native Americans since well before Europeans came to the area. “While experiencing some aspects of history, it will also help reconnect families with nature,” Ritchey said. “We are also doing a movie night in June at which we will be airing the 1960s version of Dr. Doolittle under the stars in our amphitheater, so, hopefully, parents and grandparents can share this classic movie with their children.” Hearthside dinners allow guests to take part in an entertaining evening with costumed interpreters. Hosted in Thornhill, the 1819-vintage home of Frederick Bates, guests lend a hand with the final preparations of the meal before sitting at the actual Bates table to enjoy a historic meal. Visitors might churn butter, grind coffee, prepare the vegetables, or perform other tasks. Through work, conversation, and play, visitors will learn about 19th century food and cooking techniques. Then, after receiving instructions in proper etiquette, guests will enjoy their dinner by candlelight, followed by 19th century parlor games and dessert. The next Hearthside dinner is 3-7 p.m. on June 9. The event is limited to 12 people, advanced reservations are required, and the cost is $65 per person. For more information or to make reservations, call (314) 615-8328 or visit stlouisco. com/parksandrecreation/parkpages/faust. The carousel makes up another way the park is preserving the past. “The early 1900s carousel comes from the (former) Forest Park Highlands amusement park and has been host to many birthday parties and weddings over the past 30 years that it’s been at Faust,” Ritchey said. “You can create an 28
Out & About | April-June 2018
unforgettable birthday party for your child.” The party package includes a private room with tables and chairs and unlimited carousel rides for a maximum of 50 guests, she said.
Weddings and receptions can take place in the newly-remodeled gallery room at the St. Louis Carousel building — the Carousel can accommodate up to 200 guests in the gallery room and 350 guests on the patio. The rental fee is $1,200 plus a $500 security deposit. That fee includes unlimited carousel rides for all guests and use of the patio. Visitors also can host their wedding ceremony on the grounds of Thornhill and then stay within the park to host the reception at the St. Louis Carousel. While the Carousel is a popular spot to take wedding photos, Ritchey said that couples who do not rent the venue for their wedding must make an appointment and pay a fee to take photos there. “I love that Faust has a connection between the past and present, and you can experience both while here,” Ritchey said.
@chesterfieldmochamber
@ChesterfieldCOC