Krug-Nill Mansion
Restore America : Episode RAM-306 -- More Projects »
St. Joseph, Missouri The Krug Park neighborhood, just north of St. Joseph's historic downtown, is the location of the Krug mansion, which Charles and Donna Nill bought in 1990. Local businessman and community pioneer Henry Krug built the home in 1890 and also donated acreage for the first public park in St. Joseph.
The house had been converted into apartments in the 1940s and eventually sat vacant for 25 years until the Nills purchased it. Everything needed to be done--wiring, plumbing, roofing, tuckpointing, plastering, etc. The first step was to stabilize the exterior to prevent further interior damage. This included tuckpointing and rebuilding the back of the house.
The Nills then began the massive restoration of the 6,000-square-foot interior. They tore out the walls where the apartments used to be, then replaced and ran new wiring throughout the house.
The couple also focused their energies on the many interior details, including an ornate tin ceiling in the kitchen
and hand-painted crown molding in the dining room. Unfortunately, much of the home's woodwork had been damaged by moisture, including the original parquet floor, which was buckled in places. Charles sanded all four corners, the back and the front, and then either nailed or glued it back in place.
While Charles worked on restoring the floors, Donna kept busy by refinishing much of the original wood on the staircase and walls. The couple's woodworking skills also came in handy when it was time to restore the home's original roof and spires, which had been broken off. Charles purchased a wood lathes and turne new spires out of treated posts.
After finishing most of the restoration, the Nills were surprised to learn that Christine Calkins Struve, a descendent of the Krug family, had heard about their work and was interested in seeing what they had done. Since then, Struve has given Krug family mementos and furniture to the Nills.
Today, Krug Mansion once agains sits proudly overlooking Krug Park. (Christine Calkins Struve and homeowners Charles and Donna Nill have requested that their contact information remain private.)
Resources Buchanan County Information Center
Buchanan County Information Center
Email:
webmaster@co.buchanan.mo.us
URL:
www.co.buchanan.mo.us
City of St. Joseph Historic Preservation Department
City of St. Joseph Historic Preservation Department
St. Joseph, MO
Phone: 816-271-4648
Website:
www.ci.st-joseph.mo.us/index.html
Krug Park
Krug Park
St. Joseph Department of Parks and Recreation
Phone: 816-271-5500
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 816-232-4461
Toll Free Phone: 800-748-7856
Email:
chamber@saintjoseph.com
URL:
www.saintjoseph.com
St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau
St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau
Toll Free Phone: 800-785-0360
Fax: 816-233-9120
Email:
cvb@stjomo.com
URL:
www.stjomo.com
Also in this Episode
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