On June 19th, Unseen STL welcomed Max and Maria Cassilly—along with local historian Chris Naffziger—for an unforgettable evening exploring the origin story of one of St. Louis’s most iconic and imaginative landmarks: the City Museum.
For the talk, Max (son of founders Bob and Gail Cassilly) and Maria (Max’s wife and a longtime museum staffer) offered a personal history filled with family memories, spontaneous creativity, and the art of transforming chaos into beauty.
With help from Chris’s thoughtful questions and never-before-seen VHS footage, the audience got a rare glimpse into the messy, magical process that built the museum.
The Cassillys
Bob and Gail Cassilly formed Cassilly & Cassilly, a sculpture and architecture studio that combined classical technique with bold, imaginative design. Before the museum existed, they were already reshaping the city, casting architectural details for Lafayette Square homes, restoring façades, and creating whimsical public art. Their work included distinctive fences, sculpted animals (and the Webster Groves apples!), and, of course, the beloved Turtle Park near the St. Louis Zoo.
Max shared stories of growing up in a household where creativity wasn’t just encouraged—it was the norm. From playing with buckets in the basement (a precursor to City Museum’s wild indoor landscapes) to having a frog sculpture named after him at New City School, his childhood was filled with the same offbeat energy that now defines the museum. His parents didn’t just make art—they lived it, and that legacy continues today.
City Museum
After acquiring the International Shoe Company building in 1993, Bob and Gail began building what would become the City Museum—often without formal plans, driven by instinct, vision, and whatever salvaged material they had on hand. Max recounted how the museum was shaped by sheer determination and moments of chance, like someone pulling up and offering to sell them a Ferris wheel. As Maria pointed out, Bob used to say, "Anything’s a brick if you have enough of them," and the City Museum team used everything from oyster shells to buffet pans to build this dreamscape.
Bob’s creative genius is now woven into the bones of the museum, but Gail’s contributions as co-founder, sculptor, and manager were equally vital. Together, they built not only the museum but also a community. Maria and Max highlighted the artists who made it all possible—some of whom still work at City Museum today—and how the museum continues to grow. A brand-new attraction on the 4th floor is slated to open this July, continuing the tradition of constant reinvention.
Take Part in the Cassilly Legacy
If you haven’t visited City Museum in a while, now’s the time. Take one of Maria’s behind-the-scenes tours and see the City Museum not just as a playground, but as a living conversation between St. Louis’s past and future.
You might also check out the Cassilly Chronicles podcast to hear more from Max, Maria, and Chris!
And here’s a video courtesy of the Cassilly Chronicles featuring brilliant mosaic artist Sharon von Senden, who was responsible for many beautiful mosaics in City Museum.
Support Unseen St. Louis
Unseen St. Louis exists to spotlight the stories, places, and people that often slip through the cracks of our city’s history. Each month at Leviathan Bookstore—and through ongoing articles and research—I explore the overlooked threads that have helped shape St. Louis. If you enjoy these deep dives and want to help keep them going, consider upgrading to a paid subscription to support future events and investigations.
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