Mansion on Main
Mansion on Main
Yesterday we official visited one of the historic homes on the “Year of the Virginia Historical Homes” tour. We have seen many that are on the list, but this is the first one that we will get to count on our “Master Traveler Passport”. To see this home, your tour starts at the antique store just behind the house. The mansion’s owner, Betty Clark, owns this wonderful store called “Mansion House Art and Antiques”.
www.mansionhouseartandantiques.com
As you enter this beautiful antique store, you are greeted by so many wonderful things. The “Official Greeter” Chloe, stands guard and greets those who stop by.
Chloe
Mansion House Art and Antiques
Chloe
The Official Greeter
In every corner of this store are treasures of days go by. Lovingly displayed, it is hard not to purchase each item. Two antique cars, silver and beautiful paintings are at every turn. The delicate china is laid out on the table in wait for guest to arrive.
One phone call later, we were sent to the back door of the Mansion through the back garden. Poor Brett had to stop almost every two steps as I took pictures of garden and outdoor sitting areas. We were greeted by Dawn, the innkeeper. She was wonderful and provided us with lots of history of the home.
Back Garden of the Mansion on Main
Outside Sitting Area at the Mansion on Main
Backdoor of Mansion on Main
This beautiful Queen Ann style Victorian is located in downtown Smithfield, Virginia. This home, nicknamed the “Mansion on Main” is the showplace home of Richard Samuel Thomas (1837-1915). The urban home was built in 1889 and changed the face of Smithfield from Victorian cottage and federal style homes to the “trend-setting” urban architecture with Queen Anne and Art Nouveau influences.
Mansion on Main
Mansion on Main Details
The home stand proudly on the corner edge of the original colonial roads and is at the top of Wharf Hill, a thriving port on the Pagan River. Attorney and town historian Richard S. Thomas made the showpiece his home and business office.
Marriage Certificate of Richard and Frances Thomas
Richard S. Thomas and his wife Frances Boykin Jordan Thomas were connected to several other Smithfield historic properties and their preservation. The Thomas brothers dedicated stain glass windows at St. Luke Church in honor of two ancestors who were “vestrymen” (lay leaders) in the 1750s. One of the vestrymen was Jordan Thomas. He was not only Richard S. Thomas’s ancestor but also the county surveyor who mapped out Smithfield’s first streets.
St Lukes Church
Smithfield
In 1873, the elder brother of Richard S. Thomas purchase the 1750 Courthouse, which was the first building erected in the new Town of Smithfield.
1750 Courthouse
An older Thomas brother converted the colonial plantation called “The Grove” into a boarding house. The elder brother of Richard S. Thomas inherited Four Square Plantation, which was started in 1693.
Four Square Plantation
Due to the endless efforts of Richard S. Thomas to preserve the historical sites of Smithfield, the Virginia Historical Society bestowed on him the title of “a Virginian of Virginians”. Their remarks were “Only a sketch, en silhouette, can we give of another devoted friend of this Society, Richard S. Thomas of Smithfield, whose most salient characteristic, if we may term it so, was his devotion to Virginia… Steeped in Colonial lore, a first-and student of Virginia records, he was an enthusiastic member of this Society, and published several valuable monographs, which brought him no small reputation among scholars… We, who knew him long and well, entertain no misgivings that we yield him the tribute that he himself would have most prized when we say simply that he lived and died “a Virginian of Virginians.” [“Proceedings of the Virginia Historical Society at its Annual Meeting held in the House of the Society on February 25, 1915,” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 23, xxxi – xxxiii]
The Mansion was a private residence for many years. In the late 1995, Sala Clark purchased this historical home and started restoring it with the idea of opening a bed and breakfast. On hearing the nickname, she christened it the “Mansion on the Main” Bed and Breakfast. Sadly Sala Clark would pass away in 1998. Although Sala Clark did not live to see the restoration completed, her vision and efforts resurrected a place that offers the romantic beauty of a bygone era. Her mother, Betty Clark continues to oversee the property as a bed and breakfast in memory of Sala.
Mansion on Main Bed and Breakfast
www.mansion-on-main.net
The Mansion was the first house in the Historic District to return to authentic “Painted Lady” splendor. The museum-like interior retains original marble finish fireplaces and heart pine floors and is resplendent with furnishings dating from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Extensive intricate hand carved woodwork crafted by European artisans is exhibited in plaster crown moldings and medallions, a grand staircase, pocket doors, and wainscot. Today, the mansion features museum-quality antiques and Victorian to Edwardian period furnishings.
Main Hallway
Plaster Crown Molding
Craved Door Detail
Front Door
Front Hall Ceiling Medallion
Front Hallway Staircase
Front Parlor
Front Parlor Details
Front Parlor Details
Front Parlor Ceiling Medallion
Front Parlor
Front Parlor Fireplace
Front Parlor
Doorway from Back Parlor to Main Hallway
Front Parlor
Wallpaper Detail in Back Parlor
Jeffersonian Windows in the Dining Room.
These are the windows that you can open up and it becomes a doorway.
Dining Room Chandelier and Ceiling Medallion
Doorway Stain Glass
Gingerbread House of Mansion on Main
Brett and Michelle visiting The Thomas House
“Mansion on Main”
See more of our adventure pictures on our Facebook Page!
Oh, that’s just gorgeous!
It really is beautiful.
Gorgeous masion. Thank you for the beautiful post!
You are welcome!
Wow that is fantabulous! I would love to see that in person! Soo elegant!
It is beautiful and even better in person!
I LOVE Queen Anne Victorians! They are such scrumptious looking gingerbread houses 🙂
It is beautiful and the gingerbread was done so well!
This is a great post, and the information provided is wonderful!
Taylor
thesassycountess.blogspot.com
Thank you! We enjoyed seeing it and sharing it!
A beautiful home and piece of American history. Wonderful photography, well done!!
Thank you! There was just so much to take photos of!
Weren’t those old Victorian houses beautiful? I lived in an unrestored one in the Fan in Richmond and loved it! Thanks for the tour. Happy New Year.
You are welcome! We lived in a Federal 1885 in Ohio before we moved here. They are just such wonderful homes!
I have nothing to add to what many others have advised. I, too, like simplicity, easy navigation and access to quality photos of the B&B and its rooms; prices; maybe a few food photos of typical breakfasts; maps to show location; a little info on what to see locally. Based on the quality of your blog, I’m betting that your website is going to be fabulous!
And not for nothing, but your own photos are pretty darn good. You’ve got a great eye!
Oh, darn. I put the above comment on the wrong post. This comment is supposed to be on your post about your website. I get so mesmerized by your description and gorgeous photos. . . . 🙂
That’s okay. I got it still. Thank you!
Thank you! Your suggestions will really help us with our website. I love taking photos, but I still think they could be better.
First, Chloe possesses an amazing face. Great ‘Customer Service Attitude.’ 🙂
Second, these pictures make me wish for some time to be back in your neck of the woods. I love the architecture, the paneling, the wood mouldings, and long to see in person what I dream in my mind of the old mansions previously visited.
Thank you for the pictures. By the way, that gingerbread house is a work of art.
Thank you! Chloe was a sweet “greeter”. Maybe one day you can venture here and take a look at some of these wonderful historic homes and our plantation of course!
Love Chloe, love the store and OMG, the mansion! Do you think they would let me live there?
Thank you. I don’t know about live there, but you could stay there since it is a bed and breakfast.
So many great pictures – thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! We enjoyed our visit there.
So glad you got to visit – sorry we weren’t in town. You know: I’ve never toured Mansion on Main! Thanks for showing “this local” around – so nice to see pictures of familiar scenery!
You are so welcome. I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it. I am still fighting this throat. But you know me, I love going places so I had to do at least one. I wanted to do so much more, but my husband pull me back so I could rest. Thank you!
Another wonderful historic house. It was delightful meeting Chloe the store cat. There is something endearing about store cats. My cousin had an antique store in Calgary with a store cat called Walter. He was a bruiser. Loved to sit absolutely still then jump out and scare customers. My Good Husband I with you and all your family the very best for coming year. 2013 will be a wonderful new year with the opening of your important business venture. V.
Thank you Virginia! We hope that you and your family have a wonderful new year as well! Chloe was such a sweet heart. And you couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
Quite surprised that they allow people to take photograph.
Thank you for ling my poetry ‘Toddler & Koala’. 🙂
You are so welcome! We hope to see more in the future! You know we have been in several historic homes in Virginia and its more common that they let you take pictures than not.
Amazing. 🙂
Thank you!
Great to see a house so lovingly restored.
Thank you!
That is an impressive gingerbread house!
I hope you have a wonderful new year!
Thank you! We hope you have a wonderful new year too!
So enjoyed my first visit to Virginia, thank you. Now I am intrigued as an English woman to know what makes the house a Queen Ann Victorian?
It is just the name of the style with different architectural details. Thank you!
Beautiful, thank you!
I love Chloe! She has red hair like me, lol.
Thanks for the pretty!
Happy New Year 🙂
Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
Wow, I enjoyed taking this tour with you!!!! Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve!
Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
This is fabulous!!! Love that cat!!!
Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
Victorian homes usually seem to be so full of stuff — sensory overload, in a good way!
Oscar
Yes, but they are so beautiful! Its all about the details. Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
A beautiful house. I like the wooden plank floors, especially that it still has its patina. To be met by Miss Chloe, however, must be the best part of the visit. 🙂
Have a Happy New Year’s Day!
You know, Dawn pointed out that they chose not to refinish the floors to preserve that about them. They are beautiful. Yes, Miss Chloe was a sweet part of the visit! Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
What an amazing place.
Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
Actually like did not even come close – wow I love that house oh to have lived there in its heyday! 😉 The details are amazing.
Yes I have to agree with you! It was hard to decide what to take pictures of because there is so much! Thank you! Happy New Year from Belle Grove Plantation!
Gorgeous post and pictures. I love the architecture and all the details of Victorian homes. Happy New Year!
Happy New Years to you and yours too! Thank you! It was an amazing house.
Wow! That’s SOME place, great photos and ONE COOL CAT!!
Thank you! They really do have a wonderful home and store! I really could do some damage to our checkbook there! And we loved Chloe too!
Hello! I realize this is kind of off-topic however I needed to
ask. Does managing a well-established blog like yours require a lot of work?
I’m brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog
so I can easily share my personal experience
and views online. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
Appreciate it!
I would be happy to talk to you about your blog. If you would email us at virginiaplantation@gmail.com, it would be easier to answer your questions and give you suggestions. Thank you for asking.