Herring House: A Quaint Cottage in the Missouri Botanical Garden

Nestled within the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Herring House offers a glimpse into the Garden's history and architectural evolution. Originally known as the Cleveland Avenue Gatehouse, this charming stone cottage was built in 1895 according to Henry Shaw's will. It was designed by prominent St. Louis architect George I. Barnett, who also designed other structures in the garden.The Herring House served as a residence for various Garden employees, including groundskeepers and administrators. The first residents were Mausoleum groundskeeper Charles Schmidt and his wife. The last residents, retired rosarian and superintendent Alfred Saxdal and his wife Priscilla, lived there until 2001.The cottage's design reflects a blend of architectural styles. Barnett combined the traditional English stone cottage look with the uniquely American shingle style, which was popular at the turn of the 20th century. The house features a traditional English stone cottage design with an American shingle roof.In 2016, the Herring House underwent extensive restoration and preservation, made possible by a generous gift from Laura, Mike, and Lauren Herring, after whom the house is now named. Following the renovation, the cottage transitioned from a residence to a private event space. The surrounding landscape design was inspired by British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, with the rear garden known as "Lauren's Secret Garden".