Update: The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog has moved back to New York City.
Jarville House is one of the oldest houses in St. Louis County, built in 1853. It was built in the Greek Revival style, but when it was purchased by Edgar Queeny, the son of the founder of Monsanto, it was expanded in the Georgian Revival style, which is highly compatible to the original.
The library is now in what is most likely the former carriage house.
Queeny Park, where most people in West County have visited to see the Greensfelder Center, is actually a wild and rugged park, where most people never explore.
When I first saw this house, thick hedges blocked the view of the road; now the original gates stand free of brush.
A garden lies to the north of the house.
Edgar Queeny was the son of Monsanto’s founder, John F. Queeny.
An interesting fact about the property: the original carriage house (now demolished) was remodeled into Edgar Queeny’s film studio, where he and and a crew edited several documentary films. Some of these films were released to movie theaters by Walt Disney. Disney and Edgar Queeny became friends after Disney had heard of Queeny’s film, “White Lightning,” about salmon in Canada. Queeny had figured out how to film underwater.
I love the Queeny history. I am a retired Monsanto employee. What will happen to this place when the Museum of the Dog transfers to, I believe, New York?
That is a great question, Pamela. I think St. Louis County needs to start thinking about that now, as the Dog Museum is moving in the next year.
Does anyone know the purpose of the low-slung building at the rear of the house, down the hill a bit in the Southwest corner? Kitchen? Smokehouse? Bunkhouse?
Leslie, I’m not sure which building you’re talking about, but here’s a link to the National Register nomination, which would talk about each building on the property that is historic:
https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/84002634.pdf
It was their kennel building.
Oh, interesting! Thank you.
I’m late to the conversation….by a few years. The “low-slung” building at the rear of the house was a kennel for Mr. Queeny’s numerous hunting dogs. Another interesting feature of the property was the old swimming pool immediately south of the main house. For many, many years it was covered in thick foliage. By the size of it he structure it was a grand swimming pool back in the day. In those days swimming pools were extremely rare. Only the very wealthy had one. Furthermore, pools were located somewhat of a distance from the main house. Servants undoubtedly brought food, cocktails and anything else the owners and their guests would possibly need/want. Mason Rd. is rich with history.
Interesting!
down the hill a little bit there is a small white building that almost looks like a old school house I have been wondering for years what that build ing is/ was.
Interesting! I’ll have to check it out.