Haviland Museum
625 S. Main Street
St. Charles, Missouri
636-925-0745

The Haviland Museum is located on the first floor of the historic Newbill-McElhiney House on South Main Street in the Historic District of St. Charles, Missouri. Franklin S. Newbill, a wealthy St. Charles mill owner, originally built the southern portion of this Federal-styled house. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1838. Dr. William McElhiney, a prominent physician and state legislator, added the north side and upper story in 1958, creating this symmetric Federal-style home.

The Museum is operated by Donna Hafer (photo above) who owns the collection of nearly one thousand pieces of Haviland China. The history of Haviland China begins in 1839 when a china importer in New York City named David Haviland was asked to replace a broken cup. Haviland was impressed by the quality of the workmanship but couldn’t identify the manufacturer, although he knew that the piece was made in France. Haviland was so impressed by this mysterious china that he made a trip to France to find it’s source which turned out to be Limoges which had been making china since the discovery of kaolin, a very pure white clay that had been used by the Chinese to make their rare and marvelous pottery.

Haviland began importing the Limoges china back to America, but ran into difficulties. The manufacturing capabilities of the Limoges manufacturers were limited and they refused to make the styles of china that Haviland’s customers in America wanted. Haviland eventually set up his own manufacturing facilities in Limoges to create the styles his customers wanted. Haviland china is sought after because of its hard porcelain and protective double-glazing. It is also special because of the whiteness, the shapes and the hand painted patterns which ranged from the very simple to the aristocratic gold, numerous flowers, mainly roses, birds and animals, to Art Deco to name a few. The Haviland Company also made special orders for Presidents, railroads, restaurants and institutions.

Examples of this fine porcelain, dating from the 1850s to the 1920s, that can found be found on display are soup tureens, oyster plates, game sets, elegant serving dishes, a dining table set in Victorian style, and many other unusual pieces. A mural of 19th century Limoges by Evangeline Groth graces one wall. Visitors wishing to view this collection should make inquiries at the Something Sweet candy shop located in the lower level of the Newbill-McElhiney House.

Visiting the Haviland Museum
     Visiting Hours
          Tuesdays & Thursdays: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, & 1:30
A $2 admission fee is charged to visit the Haviland Museum.

Directions: The Haviland Museum is located on S. Main Street in the historic downtown district of St. Charles. Parking on Main Street may be hard t find but a large free parking lot is can be found one block east of S. Main Street and additional parking can be found on side streets to the west.

Visit the greatriverroad.com art trail section for more art related attractions and events in the Middle Mississippi River Valley.

Learn more about the St. Charles area.

www.havilandmuseum.com - Official website of the Haviland Museum