Historic Sappington House is inviting First Families of Saint Louis and wine and history lovers to our first Swirl and Sip, on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 4 to 6 pm. The wine tasting will be held in The Barn restaurant at 1015 S. Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63126.
Darlene Strupp, a Sappington descendant (one of Saint Louis’ first families), will be serving wine crafted at their Old Farm Winery in Catawissa, MO. The Strupps have farmed in Jefferson County for more than a century, and now are pouring their hearts into grape cultivation and winemaking. They are proud of their fine wine selection of dry, semi-sweet and sweet reds; dry and sweet whites and fruit wines. The Barn will provide charcuterie and chocolates to complement the wine flavors. Admission will be $15 for adults at the door.
Wines will be available to purchase with 10% donated to 1816 Joseph Sappington Log Home preservation project. As of summer, 2023, at the cost of $200,000 the house made of hand-hewn logs of virgin, old growth timber and three limestone fireplaces and the foundation were dismantled. The Sappington House Foundation is fundraising in additional $300,000 to relocate and repurpose this rustic building as a learning and activity center.
Mark Pratt, owner of Antique Logs Unlimited, is storing the logs at his lumberyard in southeast Missouri to tentatively be reconstructed before returning to the house’s permanent location in Sappington Park. Utilizing architectural plans produced by Jeff Day and Associates, Pratt will rebuild the log house on a new foundation onsite to meet current building codes. Then the five rooms will be repurposed for expanded educational activities, exhibits, meetings, special events, performances and storage to be opened to the public in mid-2025.
About two years ago, the log house was in danger of being destroyed. However with steadfast support of historians and preservationists, one of the earliest surviving log structures in St. Louis County will be saved. This effort spurred the “Save JOE” movement, enlisting the popular backing of the community, businesses, family descendants and City of Crestwood civic leaders.
The 1816 Joseph Sappington Log House will join cousin Thomas Sappington’s 1808 brick house as full-size examples of pioneer American architecture. Thomas’ house is judged to be St. Louis County’s oldest brick home. The Sappington House Foundation, the new owner of Joseph’s log house, invites the community to support this major preservation project by attending the wine tasting.
Local contact person: Sally Cakouros | 314-822-8171 | Email address: sallyc@historicsappingtonhouse.org | Website: https://historicsappingtonhouse.org
