The Sassy Countess Historic Estates and Grand Lifestyles: House Museum

Showing posts with label House Museum. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Oaklands At Christmas

In Murfreesboro, TN

Here I am at this beautiful Italianate Mansion for the Candlelight Tour December 5, 2015.

If you want to visit, here is the webpage Oaklands Historic House mansion

All photographs taken by Taylor Speer-Sims, The Sassy Countess and are copywritten with usage by written prior-permission. I am really good at giving permission with the idea that photos are given full credit. However, with the consistent deluge of unauthorized copying, I'm afraid I will have to enforce.


Me in time-period costume provided by Oaklands. You all know how much I LOVE plaid!

Garland at the front door

I was told this is a "head-hunter portrait" Three grandchildren of Dr. Maney

Dapper Steven Thomas

Inside the "Davis Bedroom."

Gorgeous Sarah

Quilts inside the cedar chest. I was super surprised because my Mawmaw made me one exactly like the one on the right! "Turkey Tracks"

The upstairs front hall and Christmas tree where I was.

The three Keeble children: Sally, Mary, and Walter in the "headhunter portrait."

Selfie of me and beauteous Lindsey Whitley

It really was a special night.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Me At Oaklands Halloween Part 1

The Flashlight Tours

Part 1 - Friday Night, 2015

Here I am at the front door.

As you can see, it is decorated for Halloween.
There are "spider webs" covering the front door.

This is the lady of the house. Sally Hardee Murfree Maney. She was born in 1793 and died in 1857. She had eight children, four of whom died within four months of one another in 1838-9. The children's death was due to cholera, which is a water-born disease. This portrait was complete in 1839, when she was in mourning's second-stage. This is evident because she is wearing a white bonnet, collar, and cuffs.

On Friday evening, I was stationed in the back parlor, which was the fancy parlor at the time of Sally's death. This would have meant that she was laid out if the parlor where her portrait now resides.

This is Dr. Maney, the man of the house. Apparently, the doctor was incredibly religious and would not allow dancing or alcohol in the house.

It is interesting that four of his children died. This meant that diseases effected the wealthy as well as the poor, the white as well as the black, and the educated along with the non.

This is a portrait of Governor Cannon. He was the eighth Governor of Tennessee, and the first Whig Governor of Tennessee.

This gorgeous lady was the wife of Governor Cannon, and mother to the young lady who married the Maney's son.

A grand table set for a dinner in the back parlor.

The same location, but I took the photo without the flash. This is how the room was lighted. You could really only see the photographs and other details with the flashlight.

While not covered for the event, mirrors would have been covered if the family was in mourning.

Here you can also see silver pitchers and crystal and silver spice rack.

Gorgeous marble mantle with a coal stove in front.

Visit Oaklands Historic House Museum!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Guest Post by Kassie Nelson on Salisbury House

Salisbury House

By Kassie Nelson

To see an entire post of Christmas Photos go Here

(also by Kassie Nelson)

Nestled in the South of Grand neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa is a piece of England-

the Salisbury House.

“A piece of England” is a literal statement as 16^th century wooden beams that held up the roof of an inn where Shakespeare is said to have performed adorn the ceiling in one part of the house. Other salvaged English pieces include decorative wood panels to wood floor planks featured in the Commons Room. These incredible pieces of history were lovingly brought to Des Moines by cosmetic company king, Carl Weeks and his wife, Edith during the 1920s. The inspiration for their home was the Kings House in Salisbury, England.

Salisbury House is a blend of Tudor and Gothic styles. It has the charm and a sense of culture from a bygone era. When you walk through its massive front door you feel as though you have stepped back in time. The Weeks amassed a massive collection on their travels of art and antiques. Many of these items are proudly on display throughout. The crown jewel is the library. The library features the Weeks collection of over 3,500 books. Many of these are rare and some date back to the eighteenth century. Their collection of old documents signed by the likes of King Ferdinand of Aragon and President Abraham Lincoln can also be found here.

The home did not stay in the Weeks’ possession for very long, its upkeep proved too much for them, and has been owned by different organizations over the years. The Salisbury House Foundation has owned the property since 1998 and has worked diligently to restore the entire home. The garage and cottage have been restored. The tile roof was replaced in 2005 and just last year the wooden floors on the second level were refinished. The plaster walls have also been repaired and repainted. While the majority of the home has been restored, there are enough rooms left to insure that there will be something new for some time. The charm of this home extends to the outside to its English style garden. Some of the oldest and largest oak trees in Des Moines dot the property.

Readers may be delighted to know that this home is open to public guided and self-guided tours for a relatively low priced admission. The property can also be booked for special events such as weddings. Special events occur year-round, from the popular to Holy & Ivy Tour in December to “Shakespeare on the Lawn” in the summertime. You can view the calendar of events and learn more about Salisbury House by visiting: www.salisburyhouse.org.