Amoureux House, French Colonial house in Ste. Genevieve, United States
Amoureux House is a French Colonial residence in Ste. Genevieve built with steeply pitched roofs, wide overhangs, and thick stucco walls designed for durability. The tall double doors allow abundant natural light and air flow throughout the interior spaces.
Jean-Baptiste St. Gemme Beauvais II built the structure in 1792 after moving from Kaskaskia, Illinois to establish his home here. Benjamin C. Amoureux purchased it in 1852, and the family name became associated with the property.
The house carries the name of the family who owned it for generations, reflecting how French settlers built their homes in America. The sturdy walls and expansive doorways show practical solutions developed to handle the hot, humid climate of the region.
The National Park Service manages the property and welcomes visitors to explore the French Colonial architecture and construction methods. Allow time to walk through the different rooms and examine the building techniques used by early settlers.
The building stands as one of only five remaining poteaux-en-terre structures in the United States, a construction method where wooden posts were driven directly into the ground. This early building technique demonstrates how French craftspeople constructed dwellings quickly and efficiently using materials at hand.
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