It started raining shortly after I got up, around 5:30, and continued off and on throughout the morning. I took advantage of it to straighten things up in Bentley. A small space can get cluttered quickly, but on the good side, it doesn't usually take long to get it back to normal. I spent quite a bit of time on the blog for March 2 trying to work on pictures etc. and just writing all that we did. I do enjoy it but at times when we have done so much in one day I sometimes have to limit posting pictures of some of the things we do just to get it done.
About 11:30 Drena texted to see if we would be interested in going to Longwood for a tour. Of course we said yes, but I suggested we wait until 1 so we could eat lunch here and I could try and finish the post. They agreed, but about 12:30 after it had started to rain again, they decided that even though tomorrow is supposed to be much cooler, it is also supposed to be dry so maybe that would be a better choice.
After lunch, Dean went outside to do something and visited with Keith and between them they decided today would be okay after all, so about 1 we headed to the Visitor Center first to get our tickets, for $15 each. Keith offered to drive today, and we were soon heading up the narrow drive to Longwood.
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| Our driver today - Mr. Keith |
What a breathtaking sight as we approached the house!
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| It is a beautiful and extremely interesting home. |
Beautiful and overwhelming. I can't imagine living in a house this size. Because this will be full of pictures I am going to refer you to this article that includes details about Longmore and the family at this link.
Floor plan of the three main floors as they were originally planned:
We were unable to take pictures of the basement floor where the family lived. The rest of the home was never finished due to the Civil War.
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| This is the first floor. Notice the inset areas in the room behind the stairs - these were to have statues in each inset. |
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| You can see all the way to the dome from the first floor. |
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| First floor entrance and the stairway that was never completed. |
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| Glass items shipped to the owner Julia Nutter at Natchez, MS - no street address needed! |
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| The crate the grand piano was delivered in. |
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| More of the first floor. The walls were to be plastered to cover the brick work. |
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The veranda on the first floor. |
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| Everything was left as it was the day the workers walked out of the house to go home due to the start of the Civil War, never to return to recommence the work. |
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| View from the front veranda. |
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| Beautiful wood work, windows and porches. |
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| Front Door |
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| Azaleas - they were so pretty! |
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| HUGE live oak in the side yard. Dean, Keith & Drena to the left. |
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| Entrance at the basement level. I love the baby swing. |
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| Door at basement entrance level. |
We returned to the RV Park where it was nice and warm. The basement floor was comfortable with heat, but it was quite cold in the first floor where there the windows were only covered with screens - no windows in place. We were glad to be home and have warmth again on this cool, rainy day.
Around 5 or so, Alvin and Linda invited us all to their rig for coffee. We spent the next 2+ hours talking and laughing about a variety of things. We appreciated their hospitality and we are thankful for these wonderful friends.
When we returned to the rig I heated up a small bowl of chili for each of us and then we settled in for the evening. I worked on a blog post and Dean watched TV until shortly before 10.
It's been another great day!
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