This September, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield celebrates 25 years and will mark its silver anniversary with three events throughout the month. Given this milestone, we figured we’d take the opportunity to remind the St. Louis Jewish community of the Butterfly House’s Jewish roots.
Twenty-five years of the Butterfly House
The Butterfly House opened its doors to the public on Sept. 18, 1998 to provide educational opportunities to a diverse visitorship. It offers education programs, special events, lectures and, of course, the chance to witness butterflies in two habitats, one native and one tropical.
Louis S. Sachs, a prominent real estate executive and developer who donated land for the Chesterfield branch of the Jewish Community Center initiated the lead gift to build and name the Butterfly House in honor of his mother-in-law, Sophie M. Sachs.
Sachs was a Missouri Botanical Gardens trustee for more than a decade and a strong supporter of its development.
Three celebrations
The Butterfly House will host three events throughout September, including free admission on Sept. 19, a movie night in Faust Park, and a “silver-screen”-themed soiree at the end of the month.
Movie Night in the Park: A Bug’s Life
WHEN: 5:30–9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 (movie starts at 7:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Faust Park Amphitheater, 15050 Faust Park Dr.
COST: Advanced tickets required – $4 for members, $6 for nonmembers, free for ages 2 and under
MORE INFO: Enjoy live steel drum music, food trucks and fun crafts and games for kids. Butterfly and bug costumes are strongly encouraged. As the sun sets, guests can relax in their folding chairs or curl up on a picnic blanket to enjoy the movie.
Evelyn E. Newman Founder’s Day Celebration
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19
WHERE: Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, 15050 Faust Park Dr.
COST: Free admission all day
MORE INFO: This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn about the Butterfly House’s founder Evelyn E. Newman and the work she did to help open the Butterfly House to the public 25 years ago.
Silver Anniversary Party
WHEN: 7–10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29
WHERE: Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, 15050 Faust Park Dr. Chesterfield
COST: $125 for members, $150 for nonmembers
MORE INFO: Get ready for all the glitz and glamour of an old Hollywood celebration, where guests can dance the night away to the sounds of the Red Jackets and help toast the next 25 years. The celebration will include a cocktail reception with specialty beverages, grazing boards and floral-inspired desserts. Guests will also get an up-close look at the newly expanded Entomology Lab and learn how the Butterfly House is caring for exotic species recently confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For additional information about the events and to purchase tickets, visit butterflyhouse.org.
