The Rest, As They Say, Is History

In the city of St. Louis, we are surrounded by history, with old building stock and parkland around every corner. Many nabes try to preserve their legacies, but perhaps none so much as the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District (www.cherokeelemp.org). Along Cherokee Street from South Jefferson Avenue to DeMenil Place (and on DeMenil Place itself), not only will you find charming St. Louis-style architecture, beautifully rehabbed, but you also will discover more than 30 retail outlets, many of which specialize in antique and retro wares. During the eleventh annual Cherokee-Lemp History Fair, the historic vibes along this stretch will be compounded further by all kinds of happenings, including a performance by the Original Knights of Swing, a band founded in the late 1940s, and walking tours led by NiNi Harris, departing from the Stable (1821 Cherokee Street) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will also be free guided tours of the 1848 Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion (3352 DeMenil Place), as well as a vintage postcard display, book signings and more all throughout the district. Of course, today is really just tomorrow's old news, and so recent history is a part of this fest as well, via the current exhibition of Leslie Holt's whimsical Hello Kitty-infused artworks at the phd gallery (2300 Cherokee Street). The fair officially runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (live music from noon to 4 p.m.), and admission to all events is free, but have some cash on hand to buy lunch and to do some shopping — you'll want to bring some old-school St. Louis home.
Sat., May 15, 2010