VISITOR CENTER
The Visitor Center, near the front gate of Shaw Nature Reserve, offers books and merchandise for sale and classes often start from here. 
JOSEPH H. BASCOM HOUSE
One of the original buildings on the site, the Bascom House built in 1879, was restored in 1996. 
GLASSBERG FAMILY PAVILIONS
Two sturdy, rustic pavilions were installed in early 2011.  Sunny’s Pavilion and Myron’s Pavilion are a shelter and staging area for educational programs and events.  The pavilions are located near the Bascom house and wildflower garden.  Next to the pavilions are accessible restroom that are always open with a green roof.
MARITZ TRAIL HOUSE
An excellent place to stop and eat lunch while you are at Shaw Nature Reserve. The Trail House is centrally located among the Reserve's 17 miles of trails. The Trail House provides picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, and also has a parking lot close by. Accessible parking is located on the east side of the Trail House.  
Adlyne Freund Center THE ADLYNE FREUND AND DANA BROWN OVERNIGHT CENTER
This set of reconstructed 1800s buildings is used for education programs and events and can be rented by groups. To visit these buildings you must make a reservation. The Dana Brown Overnight Center is an overnight facility for those who would like to experience Shaw Nature Reserve after dark.
EDGAR ANDERSON CENTER
The support facility at Shaw Nature Reserve, the Edgar Anderson Center, was constructed in honor of Dr. Edgar Anderson and was dedicated on June 29, 2010. This building houses the Seed Bank, offices, and is only open to the public during certain classes. The Edgar Anderson Center earned LEED™ gold certification.

Map of building locations

Building Sustainably

Lichtenstein LodgeDana Brown Overnight Center
Completed in 2003, the Dana Brown Overnight Center is a cluster of historic log or post-and-beam structures dating back to the 1800s. Salvaged from various sites within 100 miles of the Reserve, the buildings (originally cabins and barns) were carefully dismantled and reconstructed at the Center.

In addition, many of the modifications made to the buildings used salvaged materials including:

  • bricks from an old ice factory provided pavers
  • wood from dismantled ammunition tanks, school bleachers and drugstore shelving was repurposed into flooring
  • trees removed during restoration projects at the Reserve provided additional wood

The Center's shower house uses a submerged flow wetland treatment system which replaces the standard leach field with native Missouri aquatic plants.

Nature Explore Classroom
The Nature Explore Classroom, opened in 2008, was constructed using 95 percent reused materials.

Sense of Wonder Woodland
Opened in April 2015, all areas were constructed from natural and/or repurposed materials.
 

Edgar Anderson Center at Shaw Nature ReserveEdgar Anderson Center
Dedicated in 2010, this new support facility is an excellent example of our commitment to conserve and preserve. Several of the Center's features address sustainability issues, including an innovative cooling system that uses about half the energy of a conventional cooling system, passive solar features and energy-efficient lighting. The Edgar Anderson Center earned LEED™ gold certification.

During demolition of the old complex, about 90 percent of the materials were either reused or recycled, greatly reducing the amount of materials taken to landfills. The recycled material included more than 16 tons of metal parts and piping, together with 700+ tons of aggregate from the concrete floors.

 

Maritz Trail House

The trail house, built in 1942 with native rock, is a central point on Shaw Nature Reserve's 14-mile trail system. The starting point of the river trail system, trails departing here lead visitors through glades, prairie, woodlands, bottomland forests, and provide access to the Meramec River. Restrooms, drinking water, and a sheltered picnic area are available.



Joseph H. Bascom House

To reach the Bascom House take the Pinetum Loop Road  to #6 on your trail map.  The Bascom House is currently closed to the public.

 

One of the original buildings on the site, the Bascom House, built in 1879, was restored in 1996. Close by the Bascom House are the Whitmire Wildflower Garden and Pinetum Lake.  

Henry Shaw Gardenway Bus Stop

Built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this rustic stone structure was designed by the National Parks Service and moved to Shaw Nature Reserve in 2002. A welcome respite and water fountain for guests hiking the prairie and wetland trails. The Gardenway Bus Stop parking lot, #15 on your map, can be accessed from the Trail House Loop Road. 

You will find the Wetland Complex, prairie observation deck, Roberts cemetery, and the serpentine wall near the Bus Stop.