Opened in April 2018, the new orientation and exhibits facility of The Centre for French Colonial Life offers programs and exhibits to help our visitors understand what they are about to see on our campus, and the significance of this community and its stories. Our goal is to provide context and insights into why Ste Genevieve and its people are so important to American History. A gift shop, offices, lecture hall and conference room are housed in the building as well.
The “crown jewel” of our campus, The Louis Bolduc House is a French vertical log house was thought for decades to have been constructed in the 1790s, but recent research has shown that a part of the house more than likely dates from the late 1780s, while the south half dates from around 1793-1794. It was lived in by members of the Bolduc family until 1949 when the NSCDA-MO purchased it, restored it and opened it in 1958 as a house museum. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970, the only structure in the town of Ste. Genevieve to ever receive such a designation. Guided tours are available every hour; call for more information.
Hands-on interactive learning activities for small groups at our campus are available by reservation (sorry, no walk-ins) at the Hands-on History House. These “Mini Field Trip” programs are offered by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays — please call 573-880-4123 or email (programs@frenchcoloniallife.org) for more information. The house is also opened on Saturdays form May-Sept to the general public on a “Pay-What-You-Wish” basis.
Information
| Sunday | 12:00 pm — 5:00 pm |
| Monday | 10:00 am — 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 am — 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am — 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am — 5:00 pm |