The Chouteau Room

Off the hall, running from east to west along the north side of the house, is a double parlor which was converted into this elegant 19th Century Ballroom. 

This rooms shows the French influence in the luxurious furnishings and paintings of the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion. Matching marble mantels were owned by Dr. Nicolas N. DeMenil, who built the Greek Revival mansion.

The formal parlor was named in honor of Madame Therese Bourgeoi Chouteau; the "Mother of St Louis", who was the great-grandmother of Mme. DeMenil. Her portrait sites on an easel in the corner of the room. 

One of the original DeMenil piece is the square rosewood piano made by the Louis Merkel Company of St. Louis.

Of special note are two oil portraits by George Caleb Bingham. Painted in 1837, they are of Priestly Haggin McBride (Secretary of state of Missouri, 1829-30 and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri 1845-1849) and his wife, Mary Snell, adorn the room and are evidence of the artist's early style. 

Also of interest are: two pairs of  John Henry Belter-type rosewood chairs; three small black chairs and table of papier-mâché; settee with Belter-type rosewood frame (c. 1855--possibly by New York cabinet maker, Alexander Roux) show the Rococo Revival influence.

A pair of Dresden candelabra, originally gas, formerly hung in another St Louis home, a mirror that came from the Filley Mansion in St Louis, and French needlepoint is inset in the broadloom carpet complete the ambiance of the room.