Tower Grove House
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Missouri History — Victorian country house of Henry Shaw — the philanthropist who founded the Missouri Botanical Garden (1859), one of the world’s leading botanical research institutions. Shaw’s garden covers 79 acres!
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Missouri |
| Entry Fee | Free admission! |
About Tower Grove House
Tower Grove House in Tower Grove Park preserves the country estate of Henry Shaw — the English-born merchant who donated the Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park to the city of St. Louis. Shaw’s 1849 house, a blend of Italianate and Greek Revival styles, overlooks the 289-acre Victorian park he designed. The Missouri Botanical Garden — Shaw’s greatest legacy — is one of the world’s top three botanical research institutions.
Things to Do
Touring Shaw’s country house, exploring Tower Grove Park (one of America’s finest Victorian parks), visiting the adjacent Missouri Botanical Garden, and learning about 19th-century St. Louis philanthropy.
Visiting Today
Henry Shaw’s 1849 country house sits within Tower Grove Park — a National Historic Landmark and one of America’s finest Victorian-era public parks. The adjacent Missouri Botanical Garden (Shaw’s greatest legacy) is a world-class destination. The park’s 289 acres include Victorian pavilions, lily ponds, and mature specimen trees. Free park admission; garden admission charged.
Getting There
Located within Tower Grove Park in south St. Louis. The park is free and open daily. The Missouri Botanical Garden (adjacent) charges admission but is world-class. Tower Grove Park’s Victorian pavilions, Turkish shelter, and lily ponds make it one of America’s finest urban parks. Easily accessible via I-44 or public transit.
Insider Tips
Botanical paradise: Tower Grove House was the country residence of Henry Shaw — the founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1859), one of the world’s great botanical institutions. Pro tip: Shaw’s Garden (as locals call it) is a 79-acre oasis in St. Louis — its herbarium contains 7 million specimens. Tower Grove Park: Shaw also created Tower Grove Park (1868) — one of the finest Victorian walking parks in America.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Garden blooms. Summer: Full garden displays. Fall: Japanese Garden autumn color. Year-round: Climatron conservatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is the Missouri Botanical Garden?
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the top three botanical research institutions in the world — its herbarium (7 million specimens) is the second-largest in the Western Hemisphere. The Garden conducts plant research on every continent, has described 3,000+ new species, and leads tropical conservation efforts. The Climatron geodesic dome conservatory (1960) was one of the first of its kind.
