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Samuel Cupples House: A Gilded Age Mansion

Explore a Gilded Age mansion and art gallery on the Saint Louis University campus.

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The Samuel Cupples House, a Romanesque Revival mansion on the Saint Louis University campus, offers a glimpse into the life of a 19th-century St. Louis entrepreneur. Now a museum and art gallery, it showcases fine and decorative arts, including the Eleanor Turshin Glass Collection.

A brief summary to Samuel Cupples House

Local tips

  • Admission is free, allowing you to explore the mansion and its collections without any cost.
  • The house is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the museum's hours before visiting, as they may change during holidays.
  • Pick up a self-guided tour book to learn about the history and architecture of the house as you explore at your own pace.
  • Photography is allowed inside the house, so bring your camera to capture the stunning architecture and artwork.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    If you are staying in the Midtown area, the Samuel Cupples House is easily accessible on foot. Head west on West Pine Boulevard until you reach 3673 West Pine Boulevard. The house will be on the right.

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Cupples House via public transport, exit at the Grand Boulevard Station on the MetroLink. Walk four blocks north and turn left at the campus entrance nearest DuBourg Hall. Cupples House is ahead on the right. A one-way MetroBus fare is $2.00.

  • Driving

    When driving to the Samuel Cupples House, note that there is no dedicated parking lot. Limited metered parking is available on Lindell Boulevard. Additional parking is available in Saint Louis University's campus parking garages, with the Laclede Garage being the closest option, costing $2 per hour or $6 per day. If you are visiting in a large vehicle, such as a bus, you may park in the Fordham Lot of Reinert Hall, but prior arrangements must be made by calling 314-977-6631.

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Discover more about Samuel Cupples House

Step back in time at the Samuel Cupples House, a stunning example of Romanesque Revival architecture located on the campus of Saint Louis University. Built in the late 1880s for wealthy St. Louis businessman Samuel Cupples, the mansion boasts 42 rooms and 22 fireplaces, showcasing the opulence of the Gilded Age. Construction began in 1888 and was completed in 1890. The house features a unique design with purple sandstone from Colorado and pink granite from southern Missouri. Intricate details include leaded glass windows, carved woodwork, and exterior embellishments like gargoyles and twisting vines. The interior reflected the Arts and Crafts movement, with floral motifs and medieval-inspired furniture. After Cupples' death, Saint Louis University acquired the house in 1946. It served as a student center, even housing a bowling alley and bar in the basement. In 1973, Father Maurice McNamee led a restoration project, saving the house from demolition and returning it to its original splendor. Today, the Samuel Cupples House is a museum and gallery, displaying the university's collection of fine and decorative arts dating from before 1919. Visitors can also view the Eleanor Turshin Glass Collection and exhibitions by students and faculty in the McNamee Gallery.

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