Just returned from a GREAT weekend with Julie and John, the new proprietors of the Garth Woodside Mansion in Hannibal, MO. Get more info from the Garth Woodside Mansion website, including photos of the rooms.
Briefly, our weekend there was a blast, and felt more like visiting relatives than just spending the night somewhere. The environs are wonderful, and our stay was much more than we expected. Mr. Garth was a lumber/banking baron, and built this "summer house" to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Hannibal. Driving there, it seems very odd to find this house where it is, that's for certain. Down a 1/2 mile of gravel road, then set way up on a hillside, the mansion is an imposing sight, particularly at first view at night. They have it illuminated perfectly, but at first glance you'd swear someone just beamed it in from a time warp.
We were late arriving there...and were greeted by Julie and John, who said they hoped we had had a safe journey, and were worried about us. (An aside: this was our first B&B experience...innkeepers who worry about little chicks away from the nest? How amazing!). Anyway, Julie immediately put us at ease, spent 30 seconds finalizing the business transaction, and then began showing us the house.
I'm not an expert on Victorian architecture or decor by a long shot, but from what I understand the house is fairly early for a Victorian, built in 1871. It passed from the Garth's to two other families, and it's been nearly continually inhabited. The previous owners remodeled extensively in 1988 to set it up as a B&B, retired recently, and sold to John and Julie. Each room has a private bath, with individual heating and cooling. Very luxe as well, and very reasonable. Something like 16 foot ceilings make all the first floor very dramatic, and much of the furnishings are original to the house. My favorite room was the parlor, finished in reds and greens, with a peacock border and draperies edged with gold braid from France.
Were I more informed, I could go on about the various details of the decor and furnishings. I'm not, so I won't. Besides, the best part of the weekend was visiting with Julie and John, and our fellow guests. Julie loves people, and her sense of humor soon gets everyone acquainted with one another. It really felt like spending time with family members you hadn't seen in a while, whether just relaxing on the verandah and watching red and gray squirrels prepare for winter, or gathering in the parlor for games of checkers or sharing stories with our fellow travelers. Quiet, comfortable...and a soothing change of pace from the typical week I left behind on Friday. Very nice.
Billed as a bed and breakfast, Julie also baked us a dessert treat each night, and warm cookies each afternoon. Oatmeal cake with broiled coconut frosting hit the spot after Friday night's drive in, and turtle cheesecake awaited us after we returned from dinner on Saturday. Breakfast was beautifully presented each morning at 8:30, with a round of applause for the last couple to be seated. Saturday fare was berries and yogurt, with raspberry bread and quiche tarts. Sunday brought forth Eggs Portugal, a tasty egg casserole, with homemade salsa garnish, bananas and yogurt with caramel, and cranberry muffins. That we dined on the same table as Mr. Garth did originally, with a dozen new friends only added to the experience.
Much to see and do out and around Hannibal as well, so it can make a full weekend.
Julie and John really spoiled us this weekend, and it was hard to leave to go back. It was the type of experience that made me want to write a letter of thanks, and invite them to stay with us when they're in town. I must say, I've never done that when leaving the Rye Town Hilton in New York, or any other hotel.
It was a great experience for us, and I'll look forward to recounting my visit and recommending the Garth Woodside Mansion with friends in the future.
GO and have a great time!
