The Eighth Wonder of the World, Possibly.

I may be biased about that title claim but the City Museum in St. Louis, MO is truly what it says it is, a place where the imagination runs wild.  And when you view life as a visual medium anyway then come across something like the City Museum, trust me, you think you've discovered what could possibly be the eighth wonder of the world.

Housed in the  city's 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 and to the delight of young and old alike.

Cassilly and his longtime crew of 20 artisans have constructed the museum from the very stuff of the city; and, as a result, it has urban roots deeper than any other institutions'. Reaching no farther than municipal borders for its reclaimed building materials, CITY MUSEUM boasts features such as old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, miles of tile, and even two abandoned planes.  Cassily was recycling before it became the thing to do, and in the meantime has managed to create the perfect playground for the mind.

He said while building the different themed rooms and tunnels it was as if he were a child in his bed at night and whatever he imagined they built.  Situated within the historic shoe factory's spiral conveyor tunnel system, with branches burrowing down into the earth and towering 135' into the surreal industrial space are the Enchanted Caves.

Emanating from deep within the heart of CITY MUSEUM, with branches burrowing throughout the museum space. Cassilly calls the caves a powerful symphony, fusing muse-like sculptures, petrified dragons, convoluted stairways and crystalline bodies into a fascinating cathedral of concrete.

Cassily just keeps adding to the museum too as time and attention allows.  A more recent addition was Monstro City on the outside of the museum where you can crawl and climb above ground almost to the rooftop of the building high above the city ground.

Since there is no way I can begin to completely explain the wonder and excitement the City Museum produces, my recommendation is to plan a visit whenever you are passing through St. Louis.  You won't be disappointed.

To make your plans, City Museum's website has all the details you need and even more pictures.  But I assure you, it doesn't do the museum the justice that only a visit can.

Comments

[City Museum]

Thanks for the kind words. You will have to come back and see us again soon. We are hoping to open our roof in the coming weeks.

-CM

[Loopy]

YES! I live in Baltimore, and have made the long trek to St. Louis for the SOLE reason of visiting this museum!! Seriously the coolest thing on the planet right now. I especially liked the 2 story slide and the romp thru a whale, or even better, the log cabin bar/cafe outside!