AmoureuxHouse.org aims to make the cultural, historical, and architectural significance of the Amoureux House in Ste. Genevieve come alive for all, particularly youth and educators. The heart of AmoureuxHouse.org is the life of Pelagie Vital Amoureux, a remarkable woman who made this architectural gem her home. We hope discovering Pelagie’s story will inspire others to find their own stories, experience the universal truths of home and community, and bring Ste. Genevieve’s rich African-American history to the fore.

We invite you to enter and explore this site by checking its features:

• Timeline contains public documents and information highlighting Pelagie’s personal journey and times in which she lived.
• The House presents images of the Amoureux House’s unique architectural characteristics and the lifestyle of its inhabitants.
• For Teachers provides lesson plans and resources for grade levels K-12.
• Blog offers an interactive forum as well as an opportunity for posting upcoming cultural and educational events.

Most importantly (if you haven’t done so already), watch the video segments featuring actress and Amoureux descendant Rita Washington to get a better sense of Pelagie. This original narrative is rooted in historical events and public record. Given that African-American history and culture are grounded in an oral tradition, it is fitting to tell Pelagie’s story in this way.

Born into slavery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, in 1805, Pelagie raised her family in the Amoureux House, built in 1792. Today you can visit this rare example of French Creole architecture, located just 60 miles south of St. Louis.

Our hope is that learning about Pelagie, her house, and the times in which she lived will pique your curiosity to wonder and ask questions. Did she cook a tasty gumbo? What did she and her family laugh and talk about? Where did she find her strength?

We hope that asking such questions will cast a light on our shared humanity. Pelagie chose to live her life fully. She kept moving forward. She knew the true sense of courage.

Thanks go to everyone who collaborated with us on this educational site. Without their creativity, humor, historical knowledge, and technical expertise, Pelagie’s story might have remained among documents offline and never come alive online. As French-speaking Pelagie might have put it, merci to Jim Baker, Callan Design, Wes Dorman, Elastic Creative, Deborah Estell, Brian Hayden, Kat Hughes, Hannah Jokerst, krisfilms, Milomix Productions SF, Missouri History Museum Archives, Bill Naeger, Dan Ouellette, Donna Jean Rausch, Evantheia Schibsted, Don Strand, Pat Watt, and Rita Washington.

Copyright © 2011 AmoureuxHouse.org All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be copied or reprinted without the expressed written consent of AmoureuxHouse.org.