Scott Joplin House State Historic Site - St. Louis, Missouri

Scott Joplin House State Historic Site: A Musical Heritage Experience

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is a unique and fascinating destination located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. This historic house museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Scott Joplin, the renowned American composer and pianist, best known for creating the ragtime genre. The site offers an immersive experience for music lovers, history enthusiasts, and families alike, providing a glimpse into the life of one of America's most influential musicians.

Main Services

• Guided tours: The site offers guided tours of the house, led by knowledgeable docents who provide insights into Joplin's life, music, and legacy.
• Museum exhibits: The site features a museum with exhibits showcasing Joplin's life, music, and the history of ragtime.
• Education programs: The site offers educational programs for children and adults, focusing on music, history, and culture.
• Special events: The site hosts various special events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and reenactments.
• Gift shop: The site has a gift shop where visitors can purchase music, books, and other souvenirs related to Joplin and ragtime.

Location and Access

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is located at 2658 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103, in the Delmar Loop neighborhood of St. Louis. The site is easily accessible by car, with parking available on-site. Visitors can also use public transportation, with several bus routes stopping near the site. The nearest airport is Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, approximately 20 miles from the site.

The site is wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. Visitors with mobility impairments can contact the site in advance to make arrangements for assistance.

Featured Characteristics

* Historic significance: The Scott Joplin House is the only home in the United States dedicated to a composer and his music.
* Authentic interior: The house features many of its original furnishings and artifacts, providing a glimpse into Joplin's life and music.
* Beautiful garden: The site has a beautiful garden, perfect for relaxation and contemplation.
* Interactive exhibits: The museum features interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to learn about Joplin's life and music in a hands-on way.
* Concerts and performances: The site hosts various concerts and performances throughout the year, featuring local and international artists.

Practical Information

* Hours of operation: The site is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended hours during summer months.
* Admission fees: Admission fees vary depending on the time of year and visitor type, with discounts available for seniors, students, and children.
* Food and drink: The site has a café on site, serving light meals and refreshments.
* Accessibility: Visitors with mobility impairments should contact the site in advance to make arrangements for assistance.
* Wheelchair-accessible facilities: The site has wheelchair-accessible facilities, including the house, museum, and garden.

Reviews and Opinions

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from visitors. On Google My Business, the site has 187 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/5. Visitors praise the site's knowledgeable docents, interactive exhibits, and beautiful garden.

* "This place is a must-visit for anyone interested in music, history, or St. Louis. The docents are knowledgeable and friendly, and the exhibits are engaging and informative." - Emily W.
* "I was blown away by the beauty of the garden and the authenticity of the interior. The site is a true gem in St. Louis." - David K.
* "I took my kids to the site, and they loved the interactive exhibits and concerts. It's a great place for families to learn and have fun together." - Sarah T.

Overall, the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is a unique and fascinating destination that offers a glimpse into the life and legacy of one of America's most influential musicians. With its knowledgeable docents, interactive exhibits, and beautiful garden, the site is a must-visit for music lovers, history enthusiasts, and families alike.

👍 Reviews of Scott Joplin House State Historic Site

Jennifer C.

5/5

I was so lucky to have a private tour on Nov 2 when the museum was actually closed because I called ahead. I learned so much about Scott Joplin and his times from the tour guide. It was great to learn that the royalties he earned from the sales of the Maple Leaf Rag enabled him to compose and teach during the day rather than have to play at the bars. It was interesting to learn that he taught piano and composed in the communal room on the second floor. He didn't have a private practice room. I enjoyed learning to play ragtime music as a teen so it was very exciting to learn about this period of his life when he lived in the house. It was great to get an overview of his whole life as well. From his bedroom you can now see the Gateway Arch. So having been there first, it was a fun perspective to see it from Scott Joplin's his window.

wineguy2351

5/5

I've been meaning to see the Scott Joplin House for years; thanks to my friend Emma Prince (Backlog Archivists) for getting me on the tour today! Definitely worth visiting. The young man who started us out and played some of Joplin's music on the piano for us was excellent!

Mark Z.

3/5

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site was home to Joplin, the King of Ragtime, from 1901 to 1903 while he wrote several notable ragtime classics like “The Entertainer” and “Easy Winners.” The home is furnished with period fixtures to recreate for visitors what it was like while Joplin lived here -- cast iron stove in the kitchen, cupboard, sitting room couches, manual sewing machine, gas lights, and bedroom items including bed, shaving wash basin, bureau, bed and thundermug. One of the centerpieces is the functioning player piano with several other pianos in the house.

Rose C.

5/5

What a cool little museum! We got a tour from Nina who really knew a lot about Scott Joplin, the era & the area. We were extra lucky that their resident musician Royce was in town and played Mapleleaf Rag for us! It’s so cool that this amazing piece of St Louis history has been preserved for everyone to experience.

Tacoma ?. S.

5/5

well done. tour guide has a great passion for tour and history of Joplin and this historic site. parking was easy on the street. books and items available also to purchase with even more valuable info.

Joshua V.

5/5

Yes, the connection to Scott Joplin is small (he only lived here 2 years, as it turns out, subletting a tiny room). Yes, there isn't much/any physical items connected to him. Yes, it's a bit off the beaten path. But the docents and staff are SO knowledgeable about Joplin's life and legacy as well as St. Louis history, and so friendly, and unless you're a Joplin scholar, you'll learn something. They are also very accommodating - I had the pleasure of getting a private tour since I was the only person there at that hour. Do note that tours start on the hour, have a small fee, and last 45 minutes, so budget for that. You can't see any of the house unless you do the guided tour. The tours end with getting to hear a player piano play one of Joplin's rags with a piano roll, or, if you're lucky, the resident pianist and Joplin scholar, Royce Martin, will be there and will play you his fantastic interpretations of Joplin's work and give a deep dive into the musicological and cultural significance of ragtime as a genre. Whether you get a chance to see him or not, look up his album, "Memories on Morgan Street: Scott Joplin Reimagined" - it is one of the superlative recordings of Joplin's rags - I imagine close to how the master played them himself in his youth.

Katie O.

4/5

I was pleasantly surprised on our tour of the Scott Joplin house. interesting my first piano recital I played one of his well-known tunes, The Entertainer.

Alex D.

5/5

We really enjoyed our little tour here. We got to learn a lot about Scott Joplin and what St. Louis at that time was like, as well as what life as an itinerant musician was like.

The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, and I loved getting to listen to an old player piano and finally find out how they work.

They do tours on the hour every hour, so if the website that lets you make reservations only shows tours in the afternoon, call and they’ll add you to a morning tour if you want.