Mark and Patricia McCluskey
USA- The Busch Family and Their St. Louis Palace
- The Anheuser-Busch Castle in Bavaria
- Anheuser-Busch Daughter's Renaissance Palace in St. Louis
- The Palazzo's Decline and Sale
- The Palace's Restoration Begins
- A Visit from the Past
- A Skeptical Family's Support
- A Decade-Long Journey of Restoration
- The Palace's Legacy Preserved
- A Symbol of Community Pride
- The McCloskeys: Defenders of History
The Busch Family and Their St. Louis Palace
In the 19th century, the Busch family established the iconic Anheuser-Busch brewery. One day, the patriarch, Adolphus Busch, gave each of his children a significant sum to build their own homes.
The Anheuser-Busch Castle in Bavaria
One son constructed an opulent castle in Bavaria.The Gilded Mansion on Fifth Avenue
Another son commissioned an elaborate mansion on New York City's Fifth Avenue.
Anheuser-Busch Daughter's Renaissance Palace in St. Louis
Adolphus Busch's daughter, Anna, chose to build a Renaissance-style palace in St. Louis. Noted architects spent two years studying ancient villas in Italy to design the Palazzo. The entrance resembled the Palazzo Medici in Florence, with grand vases reminiscent of those in the Vatican. Each room was modeled on a famous hall from Italian palaces, and the library featured stained glass windows similar to those in Michelangelo's library. The palace even boasted an organ hall rivaling that of the Cartier mansion in New York City. Its grand Ballroom was considered the finest dance floor in America, where Anna's daughter O'Drey held her coming-out ball in 1916.
The Palazzo's Decline and Sale
After the deaths of their parents in 1936, the Busch children dispersed, and the palace stood vacant. It was eventually sold to new owners who had little regard for its historical significance. Renovations obscured the carved wood paneling, Portuguese flooring, and marble.
The Palace's Restoration Begins
By 1988, the once-magnificent palace had fallen into disrepair. That year, a young couple of lawyers, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, purchased the property.
A Visit from the Past
One day, as they worked in the garden, a 90-year-old woman approached their home. It was O'Drey, the daughter of Adolphus Busch who had celebrated her debut in the palace over seven decades earlier. She inquired about their plans for the mansion, and the McCloskeys expressed their intention to restore it to its former glory.
A Skeptical Family's Support
The Busch descendants were initially skeptical but eventually provided the McCloskeys with photographs, an inventory of antique furniture, and other materials.
A Decade-Long Journey of Restoration
The restoration process took over 30 years as the McCloskeys meticulously removed layers of paint, restored the marble, and searched antique shops for original furnishings. They unearthed a wardrobe from 1560 and a 17th-century painting. Even the organ was reconditioned.
The Palace's Legacy Preserved
The palace was finally completed in 2018, by which time the "young" lawyers were in their 60s. They had dedicated their lives to preserving this architectural treasure.
A Symbol of Community Pride
In many American cities, historic homes have been saved from ruin by dedicated citizens who often bequeath them to the municipality, transforming them into museums.
The McCloskeys: Defenders of History
In the present day, the McCloskeys are known not only for their remarkable restoration efforts but also for their actions during a protest in June 2020. They stood outside their home armed, ready to protect it from intruders, garnering national attention and sparking a debate about the limits of self-defense.
