Soon as I stepped into the front foyer it was like stepping back in time. I could just imagine a well to do southern belle really a Missouri belle with her huge hoop skirted dress on standing on the black and white tile floor looking at the grand winding stairs up to the second floor and the tower which the captain built from the roof to look out over the river to watch his steamboats coming and going. I walked up the stairs which was off the library landing with 14 ft library wall of books , to see for myself what the river looked like to the captain. My host & hostess of this grand house had a telescope set up to look far beyond the necked eye could see.
before I took that adventure I was escorted to my left to view the ballroom. Oh I wanted to dance since I was in the ballroom I also wanted the escort of a Gentleman who just docked his large boat and joined me in an evening of entertainment in this mansion.
The second foyer yes second has the largest mirror I have ever witnessed. It was in a walnut frame and was at least 14 ft tall to meet the 14 ft ceiling in this house. I was told where it was brought from by the Captain and can't
remember. Above this entry hall mirror which has a more elegant name than mirror hung a 5 foot long crystal kerosene chandelier. It was also a pull down . It was also electrified for use now.
Then you went off to the right to the formal dinning room and formal parlor to receive your guest .
Did I mention 11 fireplaces in this house a fireplace in every room with original inserts. I will be showing pictures.
I slept in one of the 4 upstairs bedroom suites now these room were large enough for a 4 large piece suite furniture and 10 ft double pocket sliding doors. 10 foot velvet curtains that Scarlett O'Hara could have made the entire city a ball gowns out of. Also a sofa in one of the bedrooms and The Mistress of the house had a period fainting sofa In her suite. It was just so glamours and I feel so honored to have slept in the grand house
I went up and down that grand stairwell several times imaging like I had on a ballgown going downstairs to be entertained for the evening.
It was so me and so fun. I know if I had lived back then I would have been in the downstairs kitchen cookin up goodies for the mister and mistress's guest.
Oh did I say they had put in an upstairs kitchen ? they live in the upstairs of this grand home .
It was once a red brick home and had been painted white which I love a painted brick home.
There is a painting in the second foyer of the home in it's original color red brick with a horse and buggy out front.
I tell you I could go on and on however here is a few pictures. You can see what I have talking about
front hall way and mirror
Marilyn and Priscilla
14 ft tall remember
first thing to catch my eye in the ball room besides how long it was a globe de mariee for sale $800.00 complete
Ballroom
Ballroom organ
Ballroom settee ready for tea
one of the 2 fireplaces in the ballroom
2nd floor library , love the ladder then up to the lookout tower
I was laying on the floor looking up to the ceiling
I was at the top of the tower steps looking down to the library
in the tower looking at the river you can see the river through the tree tops
one of the many steamboat prints going up the wall from the library to the tower landing and around the top banister to the grand stairwell
here is the large painting downstairs in the grand foyer of the house's original look ( me standing on the front steps waiting on the buggy ) LOL. See the tower built to see the river
Formal dinning room looking into front parlor
Some of Marilyn's flamingo collection
Butler's pantry
With all these pictures I didn't get one of the kitchens or bedrooms
Priscilla
I want to show you this lamp I absolutely love so romantic
I hope you enjoyed seeing these pictures I don't feel like I had said enough about this grand house or the owners who love and enjoy it .
It was such a great week end
Before I left town I had to drive 9 miles to visit Richard Cottrell & Sissy of My Old Historic House . Marilyn joined me since it's because of Richard I met her at his open house tour she was one of the ladies in a beautiful ball gown .
If you google Marilyn Moss you can see listing for this house in Louisiana Missouri.
Some fun linky parties for the week
Between naps On The Porch Savvy Southern Style
Coastal Charm Bunny Jeans
The Shabby Nest