Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A Walk Back in Time


Hello my blogger friends! I hope you all had a great Autumn weekend. It was a beautiful one here in Mid Missouri! So beautiful, that my daughter and I went to ANOTHER festival! This one was out of town, in the town where I grew up. This festival was more like a living history event but, of course, you know what my favorite part of these festivals are. The historic homes! Oh, how I love these old houses and the gorgeous furnishings inside! So let's get started, this is kind of a long one!


This antebellum mansion houses the Audrain County Historical Society. The home was built back in 1857 and is one of the oldest homes in the County. During the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant (then known as Col. Grant) enjoyed dining in this home.  After a while the mansion was sold off and this second owner named it "Graceland". And that is the name it still goes by today. (even though it had a 3rd owner)


Isn't the front porch and balcony beautiful? My daughter (below) is taking advantage of the built in bench to enjoy her Amish homemade ice cream and her Oreo brownie! She's embarrassed, can you tell? I was just so glad she even came with me. At the age of 12 she isn't wanting to do these kind of things as much anymore.


Inside the mansion, in the front hall, is this gorgeous Renaissance Revival Hall Stand. I love the wallpaper!


Below, in the parlor, is a neat over the mantle mirror that has the mansion painted on the top section. You can't see the detail of the frame very well in this photo but at the very top, under the moulding, there are acorns going across it. I liked that part.


This is the dining room, with lovely wallpaper and a nice stepback cupboard type of china cabinet...


and on the other wall is this Renaissance Revival Sideboard. Beautiful! This is the type of sideboard I'm trying to save up money for!


A nice silver tea set.


Upstairs, in the first bedroom is this handsome gentleman all decked out in his top hat. (only a manequin though!) Inside the glass case are some antique accessories and a corset. This room had lots of Victorian clothing and fans and such on display, no bedroom furnishings.


The second bedroom had the furnishings...



I liked this silver plated water pitcher, the spout is a lion and the water pours out of its mouth. The cup and its holder are attached to the plate where the pitcher rests on. Neat piece! And the lamp, I think is so simple but still elegant.


And in another bedroom was this doll collection. It seems that where ever I go I see more dolls! It makes me feel glad that I bought the 3 china dolls that I did at that auction last month!


Moving on outside, also on this 11 acre complex, is this 1903 country school house, Botts School. It was once located down the road from where I grew up (in the country) and my sister and I loved to go over to  this neighbor's house so we could play school in this wonderful school house. Many a happy childhood memory occurred here.


This first glimpse upon entering...


Inside you'll find the slate blackboard, original desks and books from the era.


Also in this complex is an 1889 country church, Prairie View Church, that was dismantled and relocated here.


And inside you'll find these beautiful cathedral windows and a pipe organ. The seats are old theater seats I believe, not the original pews that once would have graced the space.


This is the Staley Stables, built in 1940. I will fill you in on who Mr. Staley was in my next post.
I thought it was a cute little stable and they have used the stalls to display antique collections. Sorry I didn't take any interior views.


On over at the Mercantile, these period dresses gave you a glimpse of what you would find inside.


There were 2 rows of these racks of period clothing! How cool is that? But as cool as it was, I refrained from buying a new wardrobe, or any at all.


Lots of lovely tea sets for sale...


Here is where the Living History part of this festival comes in...
represented below is the 1770's Colonial time period. (Look at the little boy in the black hat with his period clothing, isn't he cute?)


Depicting an 1860's Civil War camp...


and their campfire.



Here is the 1880's Wild West town. Don't you love the rust colored dress that lady is wearing? And that magnificent Victorian hat?!

                          

And lastly, is the Native American teepee...


One last thing before I close...
Also at the festival was the World Bird Sanctuary staff and a few of their birds.
A cute little falcon of some sort...


and this precious little screech owl.


 And for the grand finale...


Isn't he just gorgeous?!
Okay, that is it for today. I do hope you have enjoyed it. I will post the second part of this Walk Back in Time history event in a couple of days. If you like horses you won't want to miss it. Thanks so much for visiting!

10 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful post Gina; thank you so much for sharing :)

    G+ for it!

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  2. You go to the neatest events, Gina! That mansion is gorgeous! And those dolls?! What a treat to see them. Thank you for taking us along on your trip! K—

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  3. Gina,
    It looks like you had a fine fall weekend!
    I, too, love looking at old homes and have been known to stop on a whim while passing one I've never seen and taking its picture, especially if it's in it's original location.
    I like to think that, in a way, I am helping to preserve history.
    I don't know if you have seen this posting I wrote earlier this year on a few of Michigan's old structures. I think you might enjoy it: http://passionforthepast.blogspot.com/2012/02/michigans-magical-history-tour.html

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  4. Hi Gina,
    It looks like you had quite a tour. What a fun way to spend some time! Loved the buildings and the yesteryear garments on the ladies. My heart went pitter-pat when I saw the transferware. I do believe I saw one of my teapots in the photo. Thanks for sharing and for your visit.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. Hi Gina: What a lovely tour you gave us. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Blessings, Martha

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  6. I like your tours of old beautiful homes.
    The acorns across the top of the mirror is something I have never seen. Think I will gather some and glue them on a frame I have with a mirror.
    Your daughter looks so cute sitting on the bench. Great mom and daughter outing together. I remember going places like this with my daughter at that age. Great pics of the eagle and screech owl, they don't seem to mind having their picture taken.


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  7. I LOVE tours of Victorian homes!! The next best thing to having one myself *winks* So many beautiful furniture pieces. That china hutch is gorgeous! I hope you'll find an equally wonderful one Gina.....Oh and tell that daughter of yours that she's very beautiful and shouldn't be shy in pictures *winks* Vanna

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  8. How fun Gina! I wish that we had known about the festival. Your photos and comments are awesome! Loved the hall tree and saw the perfect buffet for your home!
    K and K

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  9. I loved seeing the old school and did I spot a letter press in there ? I want one to make my cards and paper items, that is one of my dreams
    also I really like looking at old clothing
    hope you get your side board

    love you blog so glad to see all this history

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  10. I hope you can get that sideboard you are saving up for.

    Thanks for posting this, it is such fun to see.

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