Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (Missouri Botanical Garden)

The organisation was established in 1995 around Evelyn E. Newman, described as its founder, and a small group of officers. The building was paid for entirely by gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals; real estate developer Louis S. Sachs initiated the lead gift that built and named it. The name honours Sophia M. Sachs, widow of Sam Sachs, founder of Sachs Electric, who died in May 1999. One local newspaper, however, describes her as Louis S. Sachs's mother-in-law.

Ground was broken in June 1997 and the house opened on 18 September 1998. The outdoor Butterfly Garden was dedicated in 2000, and in July 2001 the facility became a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Emerson Lakeside Terrace followed in 2002.

In 2003 it was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the first dedicated insect facility to achieve that status. In 2007 the historic Faust family greenhouse was renovated to grow much of the animals' food. More recently an expanded entomology lab began caring for exotic species confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The building pairs two parts of equal size. The glasshouse itself, the Conservatory Garden, covers 8,000 square feet, roughly 740 m². It is sheathed in 646 glass panels, each four by six feet and weighing about 200 pounds.

The roof is made up of five vaults. The tallest, in the centre, rises to 36 feet (about 11 m) at its apex; this open form was chosen to keep visual obstructions, and obstacles for butterflies in flight, to a minimum. Inside, a tropical climate is carefully controlled.

Next to the conservatory, another 8,000 square feet hold a classroom, a small theatre, visitor amenities and a gift shop. Design, project management and construction were carried out by Christner, Inc., Bannes Consulting and BSI Constructors.

The tropical conservatory houses as many as 80 butterfly species, flying freely among some 150 species of tropical plants. Chrysalides come from around the world, and in the area called Miracle of Metamorphosis hundreds of them are displayed so that visitors can watch adults emerge.

Butterflies are shown in two settings: tropical under glass and native outdoors. The outdoor garden is planted with species chosen as caterpillar hosts and nectar sources, while also giving shelter to wildlife from the surrounding park. Since 2007 the historic Faust greenhouse has grown much of the animals' food. According to Wikipedia, its purchases of pupae from the sustainable butterfly farm El Bosque Nuevo were enough for that farm to buy 16 additional acres (6.5 ha).

The Butterfly House stands at 15050 Faust Park, inside Faust County Park in Chesterfield. The park holds other attractions, among them the historic Thornhill Estate and the St. Louis Carousel, so a visit can easily be extended on foot.

The conservatory keeps a tropical climate all year, which makes it a good winter outing. Outside, the Butterfly Garden and the Emerson Lakeside Terrace overlooking a reflecting pond are best enjoyed in the warmer months. In October the seasonal programme includes events such as BOOterfly House. A visit pairs well with the Missouri Botanical Garden's main site in St. Louis.