Historical Detour: The Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri
Back in the early 1800s Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, had made a home for him and his family in the Femme Osage Valley of Missouri, what is now Defiance, Missouri in St. Charles County. The house still survives today and, maintained and operated by Lindenwood University, is a tourable facility for most of the year (Due to the outdoor nature of the home and the Boonesfield Village, the area is closed mid December-March).
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, The Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield offers a historical and authentic setting to this amazing structure and compilation of buildings. Regardless of the season, you are guaranteed breathtaking views of the Femme Osage Valley, almost exactly as it would have looked in Daniel’s time.
The Boone home is nearly 200 years old and was once the actual residence of Daniel Boone and his family. This large house contains authentic and replicated period furniture. Tours are inexpensive and full of historical information as well as entertaining Boone family anecdotes. The home offers an up close and personal look at life on the Missouri frontier in the 1800s as well as a glimpse into the actual man behind the legend, Daniel Boone.
Behind the home is the growing Boonesfield Village, a group of historical buildings found in Missouri and moved to the area in order to create a living history village. With a chapel, blacksmith, a small schoolhouse and more buildings being added each year, Boonesfield Village offers an authentic look at life in the early 1800s in Missouri. With students of the university and volunteers acting as guides and demonstrators, visiting the village is an unforgettable experience and a hands on look at life in the early 1800s. From hearth cooking demonstrations to lessons in the schoolhouse, you’ll be transported back in time for a few hours of enjoyment.
Each fall, the Daniel Boone Home hosts Pioneer Days with reenactments, music and games. Each December, they present a Candlelight tour/19th century Holiday Celebration (make sure to bundle up for this one!). Both events are unique, fun trips back in time, with plenty of hands on activities to keep everyone involved in the entertainment. You may even find Daniel roaming the village telling stories about his adventures.
Just thirty-five miles west of St. Louis, Missouri, the Daniel Boone Home is a must visit for those with even a passing interest in the history of our country. The Daniel Boone’s home living history approach and impeccable preservation keep the Daniel Boone home an intriguing visit. With all the changes and additions, it’s always a new experience to go back and visit.
