I was a tour guide at Maymont in the 70's.We always tried to get a tour of the second floor of Swannanoa.I was up there several times.Met Lao Russel, a fascinating woman to say the least.Like a new age "guru",would sweep down the staircase and greet us.Finally got a short tour of the second floor.Above the doors in Mrs. Dooley's bedroom were Blue Wedgwood style plaques with swans on them.Her bathroom was also unique.The swan beds, large bed and two twins are at Maymont now and I can attest the bed is not comfortable.I tried it out!Lovely places Maymont and Swannanoa
I love this place. I am from Richmond, VA, and the Dooley Mansion which is now Maymont Park has gardens quite similar to the gardens here. I was here in early '60's when I was ten. I remember that a sculpture artist who worked in marble had this place. I think his last name was Russell. There was a bigger than life-size statue of Jesus in the back and four huge angel statues called The Four Winds, all made if marble also in the back gardens. I didn't see the statues outside and wonder where they are now. Always loved the detail in the home, especially the Tiffany window and carved marble fireplaces. As a kid I always imagined heaven would have marble everywhere like this home. I think you mispronounced the home's name. We were told it was pronunced Swan-uh-noah (last syllable like Noah and the ark). I still have the old family photos my father took. This home looks more rundown but still looks beautiful.
Wow I would love to have seen it back then in all it's glory. Yea sculptor Walter Russell leased it with his wife Lao. They were a pretty esentric couple from what the guide was saying. Their work is on displace at the Russell Museum in Waynesboro. Perhaps those status were his work and they have it on display? Anyway thanks for the comment! Oh and I hate when I mispronounce these places :/ Yea I caption a comment about it at the 1:00 mark
Interesting that for most of its existence the building and grounds have been dormant. Makes you wonder why the company that owns it does nothing with it considering yearly taxes can’t be minuscule.
It is more like a family that owns it and the Patriarch passed away fairly recently. He owned all of the (mostly abandoned) businesses on the Mountain.
Would love to see construction photos. If you start searching for the researchers uncovering the old world that has been covered up and hidden from us on youtube, you will be amazed. Tartaria is a good start. Great vid. Thanks!
Just stunning! What a lovely retreat! Am so glad I stumbled upon this lovely mansion. My dad's family named Doule's are a name derivation of Dooleys and they lived next door to us when I was growing up and they lived in a very large estate, as well, but not anywhere nearly as large as this! we lived in Virginia in the first part of our marriage and my husband would have loved to have stayed on, but I thought I should have us go back home. Although I did like it in Virginia and have wondered about it from time to time. Must say the weather is much nicer in Winter than it is in the North East U.S. Thani you so much for giving this tour on the video!
This was also the home of Walter and Lao Russell They are buried behind the garden there. They taught science and philosophy through UVA there.
Wow! That’s Incredible!
I was a tour guide at Maymont in the 70's.We always tried to get a tour of the second floor of Swannanoa.I was up there several times.Met Lao Russel, a fascinating woman to say the least.Like a new age "guru",would sweep down the staircase and greet us.Finally got a short tour of the second floor.Above the doors in Mrs. Dooley's bedroom were Blue Wedgwood style plaques with swans on them.Her bathroom was also unique.The swan beds, large bed and two twins are at Maymont now and I can attest the bed is not comfortable.I tried it out!Lovely places Maymont and Swannanoa
I love this place. I am from Richmond, VA, and the Dooley Mansion which is now Maymont Park has gardens quite similar to the gardens here. I was here in early '60's when I was ten. I remember that a sculpture artist who worked in marble had this place. I think his last name was Russell. There was a bigger than life-size statue of Jesus in the back and four huge angel statues called The Four Winds, all made if marble also in the back gardens. I didn't see the statues outside and wonder where they are now. Always loved the detail in the home, especially the Tiffany window and carved marble fireplaces. As a kid I always imagined heaven would have marble everywhere like this home. I think you mispronounced the home's name. We were told it was pronunced
Swan-uh-noah (last syllable like Noah and the ark). I still have the old family photos my father took. This home looks more rundown but still looks beautiful.
Wow I would love to have seen it back then in all it's glory. Yea sculptor Walter Russell leased it with his wife Lao. They were a pretty esentric couple from what the guide was saying. Their work is on displace at the Russell Museum in Waynesboro. Perhaps those status were his work and they have it on display? Anyway thanks for the comment! Oh and I hate when I mispronounce these places :/ Yea I caption a comment about it at the 1:00 mark
That is so on my bucket list to visit! Beautiful!
WOW! What a pleasant surprise!
The house is gorgeous! Thank you for the video.
Interesting that for most of its existence the building and grounds have been dormant. Makes you wonder why the company that owns it does nothing with it considering yearly taxes can’t be minuscule.
It is more like a family that owns it and the Patriarch passed away fairly recently. He owned all of the (mostly abandoned) businesses on the Mountain.
How were you able to get permission to go on the property? I’ve been trying to figure out how to contact he current owner for years?
Would love to see construction photos. If you start searching for the researchers uncovering the old world that has been covered up and hidden from us on youtube, you will be amazed. Tartaria is a good start. Great vid. Thanks!
Thanks for this video. I’ve tried to tour it several times but never seem to be in the area at the right time.
Wow it looks amazing. It was in quite declined state when I photographed it about 10 years ago. I’m glad someone is restoring it.
Thanks! This was a great watch.
Thanks so much
Just stunning! What a lovely retreat! Am so glad I stumbled upon this lovely mansion. My dad's family named Doule's are a name derivation of Dooleys and they lived next door to us when I was growing up and they lived in a very large estate, as well, but not anywhere nearly as large as this!
we lived in Virginia in the first part of our marriage and my husband would have loved to have stayed on, but I thought I should have us go back home. Although I did like it in Virginia and have wondered about it from time to time. Must say the weather is much nicer in Winter than it is in the North East U.S.
Thani you so much for giving this tour on the video!
I met Lao as a child. She was an incredibly fascinating woman.
Very nice! Thank you!
Wow❤
Outstanding!!
Beautiful!
Love this place. Its beautiful architecture inside
It's not a water tower Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair
Inside the echo was so bad one couldn't understand anything being said.
Love.. love ❤️