The 15-room Hunter-Dawson House was constructed between 1859 and 1860 for the wealthy and influential family of William Washington Hunter and his wife Amanda. William Hunter was a Virginian by way of Potosi, Missouri. Mr. Hunter was a merchant, farmer, and real estate investor. He died from yellow fever shortly before construction started, and his wife Amanda completed the project. Local craftsmen and at least some of the Hunter family's slaves constructed the house.[6] Amanda's daughter Ella and her husband William Dawson inherited the house in 1876. The house remained in the family until 1958, and was purchased by the city in 1966 before being donated to the state of Missouri. The museum retains an estimated 80% of Amanda Dawson's original furniture.[4][7]
^Julie Ann Lamouria; Roger Maserang (July 2012). "Hunter-Dawson House"(PDF). National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 21, 2018. (includes 12 photographs from 2011)
