Bonniebrook Historical Society - Rose O'Neill's Fine Art Gallery, Museum, and Homestead

On the National Register of Historic Places, Bonniebrook Homestead not only displays the artwork of world-famous artist, writer, suffragist, activist, and philanthropist, Rose O'Neill, but it also includes a full-size scale recreation of O'Neill's 14-room Ozarks mansion.  

The O'Neill family homesteaded this land in 1893.  Rose O'Neill visited in 1894 and named the homestead Bonniebrook. O'Neill fell in love with this family homestead and spent many years at a time at this historic site as she created art, poetry, novels, and short stories that were sold to major magazine and book publishers. O'Neill had an apartment in New York City, a home in Connecticut and the Isle of Capri in Italy but considered Bonniebrook to be her true home.  She often said, "Bonniebrook is my favorite place on earth.  Here I have done my best work."  O'Neill's original Bonniebrook home burned to the ground in 1947.  

O'Neill created the Kewpie character at Bonniebrook in 1909. Hundreds of antique Kewpie products, including dolls, figurines, comic pages, dishes, etc.,  are on display at the Bonniebrook museum.   

The Bonniebrook Fine Art Gallery includes O'Neill's original art exhibited in Paris along with many pieces that were published in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Woman's Home Companion, Harper's Bazaar, and more.  

The scenic Ozarks walking trails, sculpture gardens, O'Neill family cemetery, and gift shop are free and open to the public.  Tours of the re-created home, the Fine Art Gallery, and the Museum are available.

Season April 1- October 31  Wednesday-Saturday  10:00-4:00 (Last tour of the day at 2:30)