SLA Buff: Chris Naffziger
The Saint Louis Author (SLA) Buff blog highlights the unique and surprising work of authors who live and write in Mound City.
Gathering at Leviathan Bookstore for Chris Naffziger’s July 10 reading. The store has sold out of Adam Lemp and the Western Brewery twice since the reading. Photo: James Crossley
Local historian Chris Naffziger published his debut book, Adam Lemp and the Western Brewery, earlier this month. It focuses on the fascinating and unexplored history of a successful nineteenth century St. Louis family and its brewery. Naffziger will speak at the Central Library in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 as part of St. Louis Public Library's Summer History Series.
Chris Naffziger, Local Historian.
Photo: Virginia Harold
Naffziger holds degrees in art history and museum studies and has been passionate about architectural and cultural history his entire career. He has worked in a wide variety of museums, from house museums to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. On returning to St. Louis in the mid-aughts, he brought his focus to the Gateway City and launched his award-winning history blog, St. Louis Patina. The idea for the book started then, and Naffziger developed a particular interest and expertise in the nineteenth Century German-American brewing industry as well as the unique qualities of St. Louis architecture. He has been a contributing culture and architecture author to St. Louis Magazine for many years; his contributions number in the hundreds. I spoke to Naffziger last week about the book and his plans.
What inspires you about St. Louis history?: People are really interested, yet not a lot of people are doing serious research and writing about it. There is an enormous wealth of subject matter and people respond very positively when someone commits, dives deep, and describes it in an engaging way.
Why Lemp?: It came from my interest in the physical remains of the brewery itself. St. Louis is famous for more than 40 breweries, but most of the buildings are gone. 95% of the Lemp building is still standing. It makes it natural to wonder why is it there? Who built it? The cave, which was originally used for cooling the beer, is fascinating and with the permission of the owner, I've been down in it twice. The family itself is very interesting and well documented. The Lemp Mansion--restaurant, inn, and event space--remains an active business in the city. It's all relevant today.
What's Next?: The book publication launches a new website--The Lemp Story. I'll be sharing new research that didn't get into the book, additional photographs, maps and color illustrations. My next book project will focus on Adam Lemp, Senior who took over the brewery in 1862.
At last check, all 18 copies of the book in the collections of the St. Louis Public and County libraries are in use. Also available at Leviathan Bookstore. Get yours today!
