CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — In celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, visitors can get in free Wednesday, Sept. 18.

The Butterfly House broke ground in June 1997 under the leadership of founder Evelyn E. Newman, with the doors opening to the public on Sept. 18, 1998, according to a press release.

Newman was a prominent figure in the St. Louis philanthropic community who had a special interest in supporting the arts, nature and education.

Over the course of 26 years, the Butterfly House has expanded with an outdoor native butterfly garden, the Emerson Lakeside Terrace and a state-of-art entomology lab.

The Butterfly House became a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2001, “with a commitment to foster a greater understanding of plant and animal relationships to promote the conservation and restoration of natural habitats,” the press release states.

In 2002, the Butterfly House became an accredited zoo with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and was the first facility dedicated to insects accredited by the AZA. It is in the process of renewing the accreditation.

Last year, the Butterfly House celebrated its silver anniversary and welcomed 585 guests during the Founder’s Day Celebration.