Saturday, November 7, 2009

The LeBold Mansion

Just look at this beauty. Out in the middle of Kansas in a small town named Abeline we stumbled upon the LeBold Mansion. Abeline is the home of President Dwight Eisenhower and is everything you could hope a small Midwest town to be.
These are the grand doors that enter into this amazing mansion. It was built in the 1800's and had a series of owners. It once was an orphanage and also housed young ladies who were training to become telephone operators.


When we walked inside and I could think was HOLY SMOKES! So opulent of an entry...Rich colors, beautiful carved wood, and something to take in visually at every corner!


This was in Mr. LeBold's library. He was a prominent banker in town . Back in the day, the average price of homes for $300 to $500. The LeBold mansion cost $18,000 to build

They had a few Halloween decorations up as you can see. This fireplace was also in Mr. LeBolds
library. Usually, the library was the smaller room in Victorian mansions, but Mr. LeBold wanted to make an impression upon his guest and had a large room to receive businessmen.


The antiques were just beautiful. I don't know why things like this aren't made anymore...or maybe they are and I'm just out of the loop!


The current owners are partners who travel the USA finding homes to restore and then move on for another conquest. One of their "specialties" is doing a jigsaw of wallpaper on the ceilings. You can get a glimpse in this photo.


Here is another ceiling shot...just amazing. The time and effort and measuring....unbelievable!




The window treatments were a site to behold. Each room was paid careful attention to detail.


I asked about the ceiling medallion, and although not authentic to the home, there is an artisan they contracted to make this plaster medallion from an antique version.


Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the time period and explained that back in the Victorian era, the home was were all the entertaining took place. There weren't movie theaters yet, so when people came to visit, there were special rooms in the house for different activities, and rooms that only the immediate family would use.


This is the dining room...so spacious.



Don't you feel like we live decorate very plainly after seeing these rooms? My goodness, everything was over the top.


This was in Mrs. LeBolds private study. Can you imagine having a room all to yourself just to dress or have a friend over for tea?


This bedroom was in a Asian theme...should have taken more pictures, but I was too busy standing with my mouth hanging open, listening to the stories about the house, saying "WOW" a thousand times over in my mind.



This was the Moroccan room a family room of sorts. That is a tusk with the most intricate carving and I loved the puppets as I call them.


This was the girls nursery. Sorry I didn't get a picture of the bed. It has a lovely patchwork quilt on it. Reminded me of the Shirley Temple movie The Little Princess.

The home is up for sale for $899,000 and is currently in escrow. The new owners are planning on using it as a private residence, so I'm very happy I got to tippy toe inside before it will no longer be open to the public!

11 comments:

Betsy said...

I love to tour homes like this and really liked this one. Thank you for sharing your very nice pictures. The window coverings and ceiling detail, Wow.

Have a Great Day!
Betsy

Suz said...

I love road trips! I make my hubby stop for old houses too! I love this one....so opulent and that wallpapered ceiling. I know that in pictures you don't get the atmosphere of an old victorian...they appear heavy and dark...and they are...but they are so much more
thanks for stopping hubby

Cathy said...

Wow, this Victorian mansion is over the top. I love these classic old homes and all the gorgeous wood work. Thanks for the interesting tour.

Melinda said...

Hello---

Just as you told me it was and yes I can see you standing there with your mouth wide open.
The partners did a very nice job keeping it in the period.

Melinda

Martha said...

I've not been to this house in Abilene but did tour the Seely Mansion and ate at the Kirbey House. (And toured Eisenhower's library) . . . Abilene is a great town and NOW it has Brookville Hotel fried chicken!

This house is on the list of 8 Wonders of Kansas architecture! A beautiful home!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What a fabulous place! I am sure even more spectacular in person!

the wild raspberry said...

what a gorgeous mansion....but i don't think i'll be buying it any time soon!
thank you for stopping by~ you are right. this week has been the hardest week of my life.
please keep my sister in your prayers.
warmly,
chasity

joyh82 said...

what a beautiful mansion. I love all the pretty light fixtures and beautiful furniture. The ceilings, moldings and wallpaper were outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

Alice said...

It's pretty sad that I live in Kansas and have only been through Abeline but not stopped to visit!

I'll bet this place is gorgeous at Christmas! Thanks for reminding me of yet another place to visit!

Elizabeth said...

I wonder if the new owners are going to make it a bit more contemporary? Yikes, it's a bit much as it is now. It sure does have good bones though, and a lot of potential.

Unknown said...

This is a very impressive Mansion set in a rather quiet town of Abilene. However, during the 1870s-1890s, Abilene was actually heavily populated as it became a bustling cattle town with the invention of the train and the need for high amounts of beef needed in Chicago, Illinois. Abilene became the location that cattle came to in order to be shipped to slaughter in Chicago and with that, Abilene grew and it was in this time period that The Lebold Mansion was built circa 1880. I thought to thank you for your comments as my husband and I recently acquired this Estate. It is a true gem that takes any lover of History back in time to an Era that was very oppulent!

~ M. Bonifacci

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