ravenswood

ravenswood印象

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  gogrammygo

  Ravenswood is an interesting preserved 1880 home south of Boonville, Missouri on Highway 5. It has been in the same family for five generations. The home holds a 100-year old collection of furniture, clothing, china, glassware and photographs. My favorite room was the library. Its walls are lined with very old books of all types. We enjoyed touring the home with a current family member. Don't expect one of those completely restored homes -- this one is a work in progress, but very interesting. The tour fee is $7 per person.

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  SteveK395

  We stopped by on a Sunday morning and found the front gate open. We decided not to bother anyone since it was Sunday morning. What we did see was once a beautiful home. What a shame. We could see the curtains that are deteriorating in the windows. Not only the house but the out buildings are in dire need of repair. It is obvious that the place is just being lived in until it is gone. Doing more research, I found it interesting what I saw doing a Google Earth satalite. Back behind the trees is pretty new looking concrete surrounding a swimming pool. No matter, I want to go back and take a tour. Take in the history before it is gone.

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  David_Finke

  This was a magnificent 19th century showpiece. Alas, the 20th century heirs have neglected it, and it can make historic preservationists cringe at the amount of capital it would take to make it presentable. Just waiting for the right Angel to come along, and persuade the absentee trustees that it's worth the effort. We're talking millions.The resident hosts are kindly and accommodating. One gets a lot of touring time (and local lore) for the $5 suggested contribution.But the overall impression can be one of profound sadness.

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  linglelobo

  During my undergraduate days at Mizzou in the 1950s I often drove past Ravenswood from my original home in Sedalia. It was not until I was in graduate school in the 1960s that I met Jamie Leonard who was also studying history. Through Jamie I came to know his parents and spent many happy times at Ravenswood and often joined Jamie's father, Charles, as he conducted tours. I always found the house fascinating but even more interesting was the Leonard family. I recall meeting Mrs. Leonard's mother who was then residing in one of the out homes and remember her telling how she kept wearing out the dresses she had bought to wear at her funeral. Unfortunately, one of my last visits to Ravenswood was for Jamie's funeral and his burial across the road in the family plot. It was winter and they had to use a team of horses to take the coffin to the plot as the ground was so muddy. I one regret is that I did not get back in the later years after Mrs. Leonard had passed to visit once more with Mr. Leonard. My favorite story of Mr Leonard is when the government bought a small chuck of land on Highway 5 on his property to put in a guided missile silo, Mr. Leonard would drive his "farm" car, a Lincoln, across his property to watch the progress of installation. Once, they tried to get him off the site but he informed them that until the government paid him for the land it was still his property. I often reflect on those quiet and serene days amongst a fine old Missouri family. Note: I was requited to put a date for my visit(s) but clearly that in not correct.

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  Jutyla

  I've toured a lot of old mansions, but Ravenswood was the most unusual and fascinating. It's as if you found an old abandoned mansion, went in and everything was still there, like it was back in the 1880s. The clothes, the dishes, the furniture--everything. The g-g-g-g-grandson of the original owner gave us a tour and patiently answered all our questions: "Where do you go to college?" "Did you ever live in this house?" "How much time do you spend giving tours?" "Can we see the attic?" The most extraordinary thing about the house was that it was not like a museum. I felt like I really was in somebody's house in the 1880s. And I was. Amazing!

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  jeffandmonica

  The house does have an interesting history, and it has many interesting artifacts, but the house itself is fairly rundown, and the presentation leaves a lot to be desired. Even with the condition of the house as is, it would make a worthwhile trip if it were just cleaned up, dusted and organized, and if they would add some signs here and there discussing some of the interesting history of the house. As it is though, I can't recommend the trip and the $7 fee.

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  southerncaligirl

  This is one of my favorite places on earth!(I have visited many historic places) Every time I go to Missouri to visit my family I try and visit Ravenswood. It is frozen in time. The house is in the middle of the countryside. The house is three stories with big columns in the front and a widows walk, inside it has a suspended staircase,and about 10 rooms, you get to tour most of the house the third story is an attic, there is also a basement with a vaulted door in it but they don't usually show this, and some of the house has been turned into living quarters. The house also has a summer kitchen, servants quarters also turned into living quarters, and barn where there is a couple of old carriages. If you want to romance the idea of being back in time Ravenswood is a perfect place to visit. Call ahead before going and make sure you can get a tour, the last time I went it took a long time to find someone.

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  Valderi1

  You'll rarely find a place like this, and it can't last forever. If you truly love authentic old houses filled with the original furnishings and the little things of daily life, this is it. It hasn't been renovated or redone, or sanitized to museum standards - it's just a very old place, still owned by its same family, falling gently and naturally to ruin. Things are where they've stood for over a century, and piles of stuff are untouched since long-dead hands left them there. Wow, the atmosphere is amazing. I know the family is trying to keep it up and I wish them success, but I'm sure the costs and work needed are overwhelming. The woman who gave us our tour was very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about the family and the house. She had a lot of good stories to tell, especially about the ghosts. Get here while you still can.

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  Weezy660

  We took a tour several years ago. It was really fascinating. The place is really run down a and such a shame. Would like to go back again. The owner has left things as they were in years past. I do wish it could be fixed up. The date of the visit is noted as November 2013, there was not an option for an earlier date. We went several years ago.

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  TBJ3

  This home is in need of some serious renovation! The family is doing their best but they are in over their heads with this one! The period clothes are in tatters because they aren't kept in a climate controlled environment. The gentleman that guided out tour was very nice and knowledgeable. This would be an excellent museum if it was completely restored and ran by people who could help preserve it the way it should be.