One Of The Oldest Buildings In Missouri Has A Rich History
By Beth Price-Williams|Published August 10, 2023
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Missouri’s a tiny piece of paradise for history buffs. Even if we’re not history buffs, we’ll likely find ourselves enthralled by the stories our state has to tell. We all know that Ste. Genevieve is the oldest town in Missouri. It should come as little surprise, then, that you can visit the oldest building in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and it’s a bucket list must.
Ste. Genevieve's rich history dates back to its founding in the late 1740s. Today, the oldest town in Missouri draws visitors and history buffs from all over the state and beyond.
Originally built for Nicolas and Marie Janis in 1790, the family would use the space as both their home and to run a business for more than four decades.
The Janis family owned slaves, including a woman named Clarisse. Eventually, after the deaths of Nicolas and his son, Clarisse was able to buy her freedom.
She bought a home not too far from Green Tree Tavern. You can visit Clarisse's home - the Bequette-Ribault House - and learn more about her and her home's history.
The Green Tree Tavern remained in the Janis family for several generations with ownership eventually taken over by the Zieglers. It had several transformations, serving as a home, an inn, and a tavern during its history.
If you want to tour the oldest building in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, snag free tickets for one of the guided tours. Get your tickets for this tour, which runs from 20 to 40 minutes, at the Welcome Center.
Did you know Green Tree Tavern was the oldest building in Ste. Genevieve Missouri? Have you visited? Let us know in the comments! Then plan a visit to some more of the historic places in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. (Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, too.)
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