A Not-So-Harrowing Tale of Trespassing

Note: Please, Gentle Reader, do not suddenly indulge the notion of illegal activities as a result of this tale. The truth is, we probably deserve to be caught. Names have been altered to protect the writer. ;)

Before I continue, let me admit that this is not legal, but no more threatening than walking into the frame of a house in the middle of construction (or so I am telling myself)--Sisterita and I visited the House. The one we have idolized throughout our entire youth and adulthood. Every thing you are about to read is 1/3 dreamer, 1/3 planner, 1/3 strategist.

 

Built turn of the 19th century, the House is a majestic, 30+ room mansion, with three guest cottages, a pond, field, barn (stables burned I think?), incredible property that we have been in love with since we were 3 and 5, respectively. In between the local cities, right off the interstate, there is plenty of room for carving running paths, horse trails, a festival area for wine expos, etc. Or just got lost in the beauty of the Blue Ridge area.

We have had probably 80 conversations about wanting to buy the property by the time we are 30 and turning in into a premier resort and B&B. When we were 10, we just wanted to own it and put up a huge Christmas tree. As we got older, the plans evolved! [Though to be fair, that plan still has merit!] 

The location is ideal for a destination style lodging: right on the twin rivers for summer outdoorsy people, hunting grounds everywhere in the fall, historical sites GALORE and Civil War reenactments around, 40 minutes from a metropolis, and 20 minutes to a quaint, historic hamlet. And we have always known that it would take a lot of time to build a reputation for the business, so we have toyed with other on-property ventures that we could tie in with other local businesses ( garden nurseries, renting the grounds to equestrians, holding weddings, etc.). Starting with two easy ones, and adding one on every other year.

Of course, all of those conversations (we had even drew up a mock business plan of sorts) took place without ever having been inside the main house. Oh, and without having any money of course. So, we are talking a delusion-worthy Flight of Fancy. But the purchase price keeps falling.  And one day it will be low enough for us to get a loan that will cover renovations, and we will have become succesfull enough to make it work! Our uncles painted it and so we knew that it was incredible, with guest suites and a library. After having gotten inside....oh my goodness. 

I must give credit to Sisterita: she indulged a romantic inclination to walk along the property one day. She was alone, enjoying the day, thinking and communing with the animals...because this is obviously a scene from Snow White. The important, LIFE ALTERING, moment came to happen on a whim. She just tried a door .And it opened. To this...

Sorry for the perspective...The Entrance Way.

The opportunity prompted a furious, half-sick run through the enormity of the house. According to her, she then ran through it with her heart in her throat, hoping the cops wouldn't show up but that she would have time to see it all! She related her tale to me. And, well, of course I was green with envy. So, we discussed the risks, and decided to return. Our adventure went something like this:

Backs the Hyundai into some brush on the back of the house. Both occupants scan the horizon for alarm.

::Girl #1, strategically dressed up so as to be able to play the I'm-In-The-Market-And-Successful-Businesswoman-Should-Anyone-Show-Up (me) gets out::

::Girl #2 bounds for the front door. Stealthily listening for alarm bells and watching for Big Brother cameras::

G1: OK, I unlocked this extra spot just in case. Remember, be ready to run. But don't leave me...I locked you out of the car."

G2: OK, I am taking off my heels and carrying them.

Pause for Terror when the door squeaks open.

G1: This is my favorite room...

G2: Oh, My. God.

  

The main and second level are in fairly great condition:

Large sitting area on the first floor

Lower level: Entrance hallway with mirror doors on back and front, front sitting room, large meeting/bedroom, a reading room/office, just room, dinning HALL, bar area room, kitchen (not industrial friendly alas!). You can tell the previous tenant (retired wall street exec) lived on those levels and opened it up to his family (same with one cottage--the other 2 look rough).

Stairwell and Alcoves on the Second Landing

Basement: Needs some work to control dampness, but the walls were in good shape. Old servant style massive woostove/kitchen downthere with work benches, counters, 4 sinks. Could definitely (if electrical work was accomplished) by turned into an indistrial level kitchen. A curved room that opens into a front-of-the-house sitting alcove/garden. You could so rig a pottery workshop in there!

Third level Hallway. Bedroom at the end are mirror images.

Second level: 6 Guest bedroom suites with chimes to summon the help. We also found the cubby cabinet that contains all of the individual skeleton keys for the suites. Almost every room has an operational fireplace, clawfoot tub, it HAS been rigged for internet, though it seems to be on a radiator heating system. Only two showers in the whole house. One drawback for the modern visitor. 

Third level: The third level needs WORK.Set up for the children's nurseries and the servants of the house. There is one split bathroom (shower on one side of the hall, mini toilet on the other) and 6 bedrooms up there.  3 larger, as if for the younger kids, governess, and butler; and then 3 that were definitely for the maids. Small cubes of space. Walls were in rough shape (not holes, just haven't been painted or wall papered in 40 years).  

Three Cottages: 2 level, window air units (ugh), kitchen, bath, screened porches, and at least 2 bedrooms in each. Ideal for onsite living staff (hospitality manager or maintenance), the office (reservations, business center, the recreation center for the place on one side), or for year round renting to help with costs!

Third level, it also...felt lonely. I could feel some vibes up there. Not hostile (I know I sound insane), but like it was forgotten. We keep feeling like if we turned around fast enough we would see a ghost. So, of course, we started to introduce ourselves to the "inhabitants" and tell the house how much we loved it, what we would love to do, etc. And I am telling you, the house seemed to lighten up. Really. The sun roof (on the upper level) suddenly filled the hallway with light and things just lightened up. I don't know. We felt like the house was as sad to see us leave and we were to leave it.

Anyway, that is my not-so-harrowing tale. Kudos to little sister for being brave enough to find it open on her own the first time, and then doubly brave for daring to go back with me! 

....We realized as we were leaving, that the alarm system was blinking "Disarmed Chime: Alert!".....