Vaile Mansion (also called Vaile Victorian Mansion) is largely considered to be the finest example of Second Empire architecture in Missouri. Discover the splendor of Vaile Mansion on a guided tour of some of the 31 rooms, each wonderfully decorated with 19th-century furniture. Enjoy family-friendly fun at a strawberry festival and marvel at the extravagant annual Christmas decorations.
Businessman Harvey M. Vaile commissioned the mansion for himself and his wife. He lived in it until his death in 1895. It was later used as a bottling factory, care home and sanatorium before becoming a museum in 1983. Admire the handsome exterior, made from hand-pressed red brick and displaying Second Empire, Gothic, Italianate and Victorian architectural styles. The symmetrical façade is dominated by its mansard roof, narrow windows and an imposing, multistory tower.
Venture inside to find rooms with 14-foot-high (4-meter) ceilings and tall windows. Peek inside bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, a music room and parlors. Decorative highlights include crystal chandeliers, murals, onyx pillars and nine marble fireplaces. With speaking pipes and internal running water, the kitchen was ahead of its time in terms of innovation.
Visit in June for the annual Strawberry Festival and the chance to sample fresh strawberries served in various types of desserts. There are antique dealers, children’s activities, handicraft stalls and live music, too. The period from Thanksgiving weekend until the end of December at the mansion is known as Victorian Holiday Elegance. Come to see the rooms displaying beautiful Christmas decorations.
Find the museum 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) north of downtown Independence. Get here easily by walking north for about 25 minutes on Liberty Street. Onsite parking is available for free, if you are arriving by car.
Vaile Mansion is open daily between April and October and from Thanksgiving to late December. There is an admission fee, with discounts for children, seniors and students. The fee includes a guided tour of the building’s first and second floors. Visit the mansion’s official website for more information.