ABOUT US Florissant Valley HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Florissant Valley Historical Society was founded in 1958 and is housed in the historic Taille de Noyer house located on the campus of McCluer High School in Florissant, Missouri.
In 1960 when the property was acquired by the Ferguson-Florissant School District for the expansion of McCluer High School, the Florissant Historical Society arranged for preservation of the historic home and raised funds to move the structure 200 yards to a new location.
Today, Taille de Noyer is fully restored and furnished. There are three main themes to the exhibits in the house.
• The Mullanphy Family's History: see images and artifacts from this powerful and wealthy family, and learn about the family's philanthropic legacy (for example, it was the Mullanphy Family's assistance that allowed for the construction of Old St. Ferdinand's; also, the current DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton started out as the Mullanphy Hospital)
• Florissant's African American History is documented in a permanent exhibit on the first floor. Seventeen persons, including husband-and-wife Daniel and Luci, were enslaved at Taille de Noyer--it is the sad truth behind many powerful and wealthy families in this region. Their history is shared right alongside the Mullanphy's. The exhibit includes an examination of the history of African American settlements, experiences during segregation, and the proud contributions here to business, culture, and law.
• The Fiber Arts Collection. Taille de Noyer is, in a sense, an exhibition gallery for 19th and 20th century artisans (mostly women) who made quilts, clothing, and millinery. There are outstanding examples of stitching, patterns, beadwork, crimping, and color work. The stunning collection (which includes clothing from the Pulitzer family) is too large to display in full, but five rooms and the entire third floor honor these craftspeople with displays of their work and occasional special exhibits. Let us also remember the people who harvested the fibers, manufactured the fabrics, laundered them, and maintained them.
Would You Like to Help?
Restoring a historic building is a continuous and never-ending project but it is our passion and the worthiest of projects. Our desire is to preserve elegant Taille de Noyer along with all the memories and treasures it contains for generations to come. Would you like to help us?
Become A Member Make A DonationBoard of Directors
Joe McDavid, President
Mary Kay Gladbach, Secretary
Andrew Theising, Treasurer
Vicky Egan
Dorothy Vallat Ernst
Jean Hilmer
Advisory Board
Pat Blaisdell
Margaret Connors
Leann Constantine
Susan Eye
Sharon Gettemeier
Taylor Gibbs
Marge Heppermann
Kris Sontheimer
The Advisory Board meets four times a year and helps with the planning of events and the care of Taille de Noyer. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Board please call Mary Kay Gladbach (314) 409-9478 or Joe McDavid (314) 307-7222.