The Kimmswick Village Greenhouse was envisioned as a portion of our retirement that began in January of 1992. Ken is an avid grower of plants, having worked almost 24 years at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and in commercial horticulture for 18 ½ years. We will offer plants that are both attractive and useful. Both Ken and Abby hold degrees in botany.

The plant groups you may expect to see would include the following:

Herbs:
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Thyme
• Tarragon
• Mint
• Basil

Annual & Perennials:
• Wildflowers
• Wave Petunias
• Salvia
• Winter Blooming Primroses
• Edelwise

Named for the builder and second owner, the house was built by John Wenom in 1877. Wenom came to America from Alsace-Lorraine with his parents in 1852 at age 15. He came to Kimmswick in 1866 working first as a butcher, then a grain dealer and finally as an insurance agent. Wenom had a wife and 7 children when he built his 6-room house at age 40.

Fred Drake bought the house from the Wenoms in 1918 and opened a seasonal tourist home business with sleeping porches that he had built onto the south side of the house. He seems best remembered for the Sunday chicken dinners he served to his guests. These porches no longer exist. The current hosts, Ken and Abby Peck, opened the Wenom-Drake House B&B in December, 1992. No longer a bed and breakfast, the Wenom-Drake House was converted to The Kimmswick Village Greenhouse in December 2007.