New book about Wyeth-Tootle Mansion helps tell famous building’s story

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion has many chapters throughout its history, but one scrapbook takes the mansion’s history and puts it to page.

Mementos and Moments: A Scrapbook History of the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion contains over 200 postcards, colorized photographs, blueprints, and other prints that tell the story of Saint Joseph. The scrapbook covers topics ranging from the family's business side to its domestic moments. Saint Joseph Museums Curator and Scrapbook author Maxwell Morgan says the book spreads awareness about Saint Joseph’s rich history.

“I really want them to understand that St. Joseph has an incredibly deep and rich history that we don't often think about,” Morgan said. “There was so much old money wrapped up. At one point, we were the highest concentration of billionaires on the planet, and all that old money and all of that social power and influence-it went somewhere, and it still is sort of echoing today in how our city is shaping.”

Along with the book signing, guests were also invited to explore the newly renovated second floor of the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. The renovation contains new displays that aim to showcase the men and women who helped build Saint Joseph’s Legacy. Morgan says the museum relies on community involvement.

“Any form of support for St. Joseph museums is really an investment in our community,” Morgan said. “A museum doesn't have to just be the walls that it's in. A museum can really spread out into the community, and so we really want to be our community's museum and source of history.”

For those interested, copies of the book can be purchased online or at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. To learn more about the museum or other museums in the Saint Joseph Area, visit https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/