About Us
Early Days
The Oakland House was built in 1853 by Louis Auguste Benoist. Between 1850 and 1867, Benoist had acquired land in several step transactions to be used as both a working farm and a summer home to be enjoyed with his third wife, Sarah Elizabeth, as well as their family and friends. Benoist named the property Oakland Farms due to the many Burr Oak trees throughout the grounds. Benoist acquired a total of 476.43 acres of land for his estate: that’s 1/3 the size of Forest Park today!
In 1853, Benoist commissioned George Ingham Barnett to build his home from the plans of AJ Downing. Barnett was perhaps the most famous architect St. Louis ever had; he designed the Tower Grove home of Henry Shaw, the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City, and many of the lavish homes in Lafayette Square.
Oakland Farms
In addition to the main house, the grounds were home to an array of additions. A four acre lake, dubbed “Mirror Lake”, included a stone boathouse and a bridle path alongside it. Stables and barns housed many farm animals, and extensive orchards and gardens added to Benoist’s goal of a working farm on his property. The landscaping and gardens were completed under the direction of Henry Shaw, founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Benoist’s good friend.
Restoration and Preservation
In 1974, the Affton Historical Society began preserving and restoring the home to the way it would’ve been in Benoist’s time. AHS later acquired Oakland House in 1977. Through their ongoing work and attention to every inch of detail, Oakland continues to be a cornerstone of Affton and St. Louis County. The vast majority of labor at Oakland is provided by volunteers and their families.
Oakland House is proud to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Building Survey (HABS) of 1983. Oakland has received a number of historic designations, and was also the first historic home to receive a plaque from the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department in 1975.
Affton Historical Society
Board of Directors
2025 Directors
Carissa Anderson
Shirley Brinker
John Cole
Ingrid Giddings
Greg Savel
Lee Schoneman
Advisory Director: Joan Komlos
Executive Board
Elected Positions
President – Nancy Herndon-Ulrich
Vice President – Barnes Bradshaw
Treasurer – Mary Jane Autry
Recording Secretary – Becky Cox
Corresponding Secretary – OPEN
Appointed Positions
Conservator – Nancy Herndon-Ulrich
Membership Chair – Patti Behlmann
Publicity Chair – Dana Roberts
Oak Leaf Editor – Patti Behlmann
Event Coordinator – Rosie Miller
Employees
Executive Director – Dana Roberts
House Manager – Greg Freivogel
Ladies of Oakland
2025 Officers
President – Nancy Harmon
Vice President – Lucy Johnson
Secretary – Christie Dennison
Treasurer – Mary Jane Autry
Oakleaf Newsletter
About Us
Early Days
The Oakland House was built in 1853 by Louis Auguste Benoist. Between 1850 and 1867, Benoist had acquired land in several step transactions to be used as both a working farm and a summer home to be enjoyed with his third wife, Sarah Elizabeth, as well as their family and friends. Benoist named the property Oakland Farms due to the many Burr Oak trees throughout the grounds. Benoist acquired a total of 476.43 acres of land for his estate: that’s 1/3 the size of Forest Park today!
In 1853, Benoist commissioned George Ingham Barnett to build his home from the plans of AJ Downing. Barnett was perhaps the most famous architect St. Louis ever had; he designed the Tower Grove home of Henry Shaw, the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City, and many of the lavish homes in Lafayette Square.
Oakland Farms
In addition to the main house, the grounds were home to an array of additions. A four acre lake, dubbed “Mirror Lake”, included a stone boathouse and a bridle path alongside it. Stables and barns housed many farm animals, and extensive orchards and gardens added to Benoist’s goal of a working farm on his property. The landscaping and gardens were completed under the direction of Henry Shaw, founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Benoist’s good friend.
Restoration and Preservation
In 1974, the Affton Historical Society began preserving and restoring the home to the way it would’ve been in Benoist’s time. AHS later acquired Oakland House in 1977. Through their ongoing work and attention to every inch of detail, Oakland continues to be a cornerstone of Affton and St. Louis County. The vast majority of labor at Oakland is provided by volunteers and their families.
Oakland House is proud to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Building Survey (HABS) of 1983. Oakland has received a number of historic designations, and was also the first historic home to receive a plaque from the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department in 1975.
Affton Historical Society
Board of Directors
2025 Directors
Carissa Anderson
Shirley Brinker
John Cole
Ingrid Giddings
Greg Savel
Lee Schoneman
Advisory Director: Joan Komlos
Executive Board
Elected Positions
President – Nancy Herndon-Ulrich
Vice President – Barnes Bradshaw
Treasurer – Mary Jane Autry
Recording Secretary – Becky Cox
Corresponding Secretary – OPEN
Appointed Positions
Conservator – Nancy Herndon-Ulrich
Membership Chair – Patti Behlmann
Publicity Chair – Dana Roberts
Oak Leaf Editor – Patti Behlmann
Event Coordinator – Rosie Miller
Employees
Executive Director – Dana Roberts
House Manager – Greg Freivogel
Ladies of Oakland
2025 Officers
President – Nancy Harmon
Vice President – Lucy Johnson
Secretary – Christie Dennison
Treasurer – Mary Jane Autry