Inside Maymont & Swannanoa: Two Gilded Age Mansions with Unmatched Opulence
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- Step into the world of the Gilded Age as we explore two magnificent mansions, each a testament to unparalleled luxury and architectural mastery. At Maymont, marvel at its intricately designed 33 rooms, featuring lavish stenciling, mahogany carvings, and breathtaking stained glass windows. Then, ascend to Swannanoa, perched atop Afton Mountain, where over 300 artisans crafted a marble-clad marvel inspired by Villa Medici in Rome. Discover state-of-the-art conveniences, stunning verandahs, and a soaring dome above Tiffany stained glass. Dive into the splendor of these two estates and decide which one enchants you more. Share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more mansion tours on This House!
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Location: Richmond, VA
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I've come to the conclusion that your videos are so short because they are so very interesting. Thanks for what ya'll are doing
Like a small craftsman house, its quality over quantity 😊
What a pleasure to see these houses existing now to see the beautiful exteriors and interiors in color. I'm glad these wonderful places are still for us to enjoy and thank you, Ken, for making them known to us.
When my children were young, we would travel over 15 miles, one way, to go to Maymont Park almost every Saturday and to this day our family has never tired of the wonders of Maymont Park. They have Japanese Gardens, Italian Gardens, a farm type petting zoo, a nature center, carriage rides through the park, a gift shop, and the Dooley's are buried there in a private Mausoleum on the grounds. Maymont houses many animal displays, giving refuse to injured animals that wouldn't survive in the wild. If ever you are in Richmond, Virginia, you would be well advised to schedule in a visit to Maymont Park. And then there is the mansion ... a jewel in it's own right. If you visit at Christmastime, you can take a tour, hosted by guides in 18th century attire. They have a tour schedule, but the holidays bring out the costumes.
Swannanoa, which is about 100+ Miles West of Richmond is regal in its own right, but that estate fell in disrepair over the years. I visited it 8-10 years ago, and it was undergoing major renovations. Even so, the opulence of the home was unmistaken. Mrs. Dooley died at Swannanoa in her Swan bed, which she had transported back & forth between mansions as she traveled between them. For the most part, the last time I visited Swannanoa, a tour ticket gave you free reign through Swannanoa & the grounds, including the towers, allowing one to look over the mountains ... such a sight to see right there at the entrance onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Again, if ever you're on top of Afton Mountains, Swannanoa is a sight worth seeing. The Dooleys are a beloved part of Richmond's History because of the generosity they bestowed upon the city in their day, and for posterity, still today.
Maymont may be my favorite mansion of all so far!
Maymont is my favorite! Love all that wood. And the rounded porches.
Simply beautiful! Love them both.
I'm in love with Maymount. Swamped and stained glass and chandeliers
Yes both houses were absolutely amazing. Since the odds of me, getting them are slim to none I really enjoyed your presentation. We can all dream our own dreams...
BOTH Houses RULE!!
♥️ LOVE the exterior of the first one...Beautiful!
Both homes are beautiful in there own way The summer mansion built in 1912 in Virginia is breathtaking and very unique . Fully furnished in period furnishings I’ll bet it would be as beautiful as the first smaller but impressive residence . Ken your videos are really the best on this subject . Glad these beauties are still around and museums . Thanks for the detailed and consistent work & Detail . Laura from Canada ❤😊
I remember visiting Maymont about 20 years ago and being impressed by the beautiful wood mouldings. A great video and an unexpectedly happy ending - both houses have survived!
My family used to go visit Maymont park in the 60's . The house wasn't open to the public, but the park was great! At first there were zoo animals, but they were soon phased out. I mainly went to collect leaves from the many labeled trees, and see the beautiful landscapes. The rose gardens and fountains were amazing !
You can tour the inside of Maymont mansion now. Tours are scheduled 5 days out of the week, I believe. They even opened the lower level with the kitchens to the Public, equipped with benches and educational videos, showing the Dooly's lifestyle 125 +/- years ago, for those in need or want of a break. Maymont is very Public oriented these days. Strolling through the park is free, but they have a lot of activities that bring in money to support the animals, and the grounds. You'd be surprised at how commercial they have become in a way, but the money circulates right back into the Park for improvements. They have handicap trams so that people who are somewhat immobile can still ride through and enjoy the gardens. I can't say enough good things about this beautiful gift from the Dooly's. Richmond is so blessed to have this part at its disposal.
I know I’ve said this before, Ken, listening to your beautiful voice, perfect pronunciation, perfect tempo, and exposition of narrative, soothes this filmmakers soul.
The production quality is outstanding, I can see the work on the imagery and media.
Overall, an outstanding level of quality.
I wish I could work with talent like yours.
Your voice soothes my brain and technically, it’s so refreshing to see continuously consistent excellent production quality.
Kudos Ken 🙌🙂
Thanks, Ken! Great, as always...
I've been to Swannanoa and it is spectacular! Setting on top of a mountain the views are incredible inside and outside. I highly recommend a tour
2:10 Absolutely Wonderful that this is still this magnificent.
Both are tastefully over the top but so sophisticated, love them both so Happy their still standing, how in the world do you find or choice what to show, love and great research of old houses 💞 I guess, keep up the good work.
Thanks Ken!
Richmond Thanks you too!!
Both homes are truly amazing..the craftsmanship is beyond peer.. so nice they both survived. I think I liked the 2nd one better. Thank you again
Cool about Maymont! We went there about 10 years ago on a tour and its so beautiful!
Swannanoa is incredibly beautiful. Love the twin towers. So glad both homes are still standing ❤😊
Maymont is magnificent.
Stunning 😱🥰😍
Thank you yet again Ken ❤😊
My grandmother lived in Richmond. Maymont is spectacular. I have been several times. He and his wife are buried in a mausoleum on the grounds of Maymont.
Can’t decide…love them both!
Maymount ❤
Magnificent, I am so relieved that they both survived the ravages of time (as opposed to most of your houses) :) Jayson, Tulbagh, South Africa
Maymont for me
Maymont❤
With each showcased home, I keep thinking "how could there be anything more like this/"-yet again, the money in this country staggers me! Of these two mansions, I favor "Swan" more; I loved the building in Rome. Not a fan of their first mansion's exterior, but the interior is wonderful! More extraordinary work by the human laborers; what incredible craftspeople and builders. peace
I enjoyed the first yet loved the second manse equally !!!!
Absolutely amazing... Thank you
Maymont is my favorite, out of these 2 🙂
Both are lovely!
I loved the drawing room
I lived in Richmond, VA most of my life. I prefer Maymont for its great location and beautiful gardens.
If you frequented Maymont a lot through the years, we may have crossed paths? I practically raised my kids there on weekends.
@@marcyking461 Thank you, Marcy. 🏵
The first house was amazing! When are we moving in Ken! 🤣
you guys move in there, I'll move in the 2nd one
@@ShirleeKnott
😄😆
@@TheDarkDresser
Yes!!! I was hoping Swannanoa would be on the "This House" list. Thanks for showing it.
Maymont (like the Conrad-Caldwell House in Louisville, KY) uses a different species of wood in each room. The swan bedroom furniture was originally in Swannanoa..Even if it's no longer PC, the Tiffany silver dressing table where all 8 legs (table and chair) and the mirror supports are narwhal tusks is a magnificent piece of artistry in furniture making. Subtle correction: Mr. and Mrs. Dooley did not purchase land; they purchased LAND! Due to highway construction, Maymont is now an estate plus 2 large parks. The garden down by the railroad tracks with the piped water cascading down huge boulders is lovely. I find the family mausoleum just off the front door a bit much. Unfortunately, I have never been to Swannanoa. Excellent video.
That narwhal dressing table set has lived rent free in my mind for over thirty years! It's outlandish yet exquisite.
@@sarahy1680 Mine, too.
Not a fan of the exterior of Maymont, but the interior is A beauty.
All that beautiful, beautiful wood from floor to ceiling give the inside such warmth, and even though it's a large house, it looks cozy to me.
I could spend all day in that lovely blue Swan room
Swannanoa is quite nice, but Maymont won my heart.
Seems someone liked swans.
Mmmmmmm.... 🤔🤔🤔 Another tough call Ken! Both are great looking examples of craftsmanship. I'll have to go with Maymont... I'm really glad to see that they both have survived to this day ☺️🥰🥰
I really like them both but that swan bed has got to be the coolest. Any idea who made it? I love the rich wood interiors.
Your subjects always have beautiful interiors. Saw another channel showing off an ocean front mansion. Also, a money-no-object interior had white floors, white walls, white ceiling, white furniture, splashes of beige here and there. I could duplicate it with discount tiles, couple of gallons of Home Depot white paint, couple of pieces from Ikea. And since I have no formal interior design training, I would only charge half for my services. On the other hand, watching your videos, I find I have to pause the video often in order to make mental notes of how interiors are SUPPOSED to be done.
1:41 Beautiful 😻 interior ♥️ It!
Swannanoa and Tiffany. It's a tie
Omg- these are spectacular! Beautiful, graceful and not over the top
The house in Richmond is magnificent ❤❤❤ Actually they both are.
I love that one too
I would like to see more of the kitchens
Please do a post on the Velie Mansion in Rock Island, IL Built between 1911-13 for Willard Velie of the Velie Automoble Company, it later became a well know restaurant in the 1940's
You should the mansion On Harkness in Waterford Connecticut. I grew up there. The Eiola mansion I think?
It is in the ocean. Has a pet cemetery. Has giant sun house with flowers. One of those outdoor bush mazes. It's breathtaking. .
👍👍👍👍👍
I had a friend in the late 80's (when I was living in DC, Alexandria, specifically) who lived in Staunton, and he took me around the grounds of Swananoa, so I have seen the exterior. At that time, the house was in the possesion of and was the headquarters for some exotic New Agey kinda cult group -- any information on the history of this beautiful and fascinating mansion for the last thirty five years, Ken? The interior shots you post are amazing, of course!
I’ve never felt a Swan bed would complete me. But at this point I think 🤔 I do. 🙂↕️
Both homes are awesome!! However, the Romanesque style of the 2nd home speaks to me more however it’s not as appealing as the 1st Only in that the 1st is furnished and the 2nd, not!! 😢 It’s too bad the 2nd isn’t decorated as I’m sure it would blow people away even More than it already does!
The first house.
Both were beautiful, but the first had a cozy/ homey feel that the second did not.
I toured Swannanoa in the early 80s when Lao Russell, wife of Walter Russell, was in residence and their flaky University of Science and Philosophy was based there. Tour was led by one of the couple’s disciples, clearly working herself to death to keep the place going. White-painted casts of Russell’s “Four Freedoms” statues were stationed around the grounds, for viewing to the strains of Rachmaninov blasting over a loudspeaker. Weirdest tour I’ve ever experienced.
I actually prefer the first house. It says "home" more re than the second. I lik d that it was luxurious but not what I'd call over the top - even the swan bed.
More beautiful buildings our civilization didn't build.
In my previous comment, I said the odds were slim to none... Let's just leave it at none.😢