Today , I am linking up this post, which is Part One of our Stay at the Stegmaier Mansion, to The Tablescaper's New Party, Oh, The Places I've Been!
I will be linking up the other 2 Parts each week to this great new party!!
Here is my original post......
Last weekend, I had a dream fulfilled.....
Something crossed off my Bucket List....
From the moment I first stepped foot in the Stegmaier Mansion in Wilkes Barre, Pa. several years ago, I knew that I wanted to stay overnight in this magnificent Gilded Mansion.
I have been to the Mansion many times for various occasions and had the honor of helping to decorate the Mansion for Christmas last year but to stay the weekend at the Mansion was always in the back of my mind.
This past weekend, my dream came true......
Even though the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion is 10-15 minutes from my home, for me, it was the weekend of my dreams......
We booked this weekend to celebrate our 33rd Anniversary and Joe's Birthday....
As we arrived at the Mansion on Friday and parked our car in the parking lot provided for guests of the Mansion, my excitement was beyond belief!!
As Joe opened the gate, I knew that we were going to be in for something that we would remember for the rest of our lives!
As you can see from these first pictures of the property, owner Joe Matteo has poured his heart and his soul into restoring this important piece of my area's history and returned the Stegmaier Mansion back to it's original grandeur.
For the history of the Mansion, which was owned by a member of Stegmaier family who owned the Stegmaier Brewing Company, please click HERE
The brewery was world famous because of it's Gold Medal and Lion's Head beer.
The Lion's Brewery is still in operation in Wilkes Barre.
This is why you will see Lion's Head's used through out the Mansion......
As I take you through the Mansion, you will see that Joe Matteo's attention to detail is meticulous.
The front yard......
As you walk up the steps to the front porch, this is what greets you on each side column...
You can see that the porch is decorated in true Victorian fashion...
It brought back memories of my childhood when I vacationed in Wildwood, N. J. with my parents and we used to stay at one of the old Victorian Hotels that had a huge wrap around front porch......
Just down the street is the Wilkes University Campus and this past weekend was Freshman Orietation.
Again, please look at the attention to detail ....
Looking toward the Front Doors of the Mansion....
Look at those light fixtures!!!
A beautifully tiled floor and a gorgeous rug....
The Greater Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Pride of Place Award, Category, Community.
This was in regards to the addition of the Front Porch....
A Photo of Joe Matteo with President Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, during their recent stay at the Mansion.
Please click HERE to read those articles.
Here is my hubby, Joe, on the grand staircase .........
This is what you see when you open the door to the Amelia Suite, which is named in honor of Amelia Stegmaier ,who was the lady of the house.
Joe and I can say that we slept in the same bed that a President and First Lady slept in!
How cool is that????
Joe Matteo provides full size Toiletries for his guests........
And a fully stocked kitchenette!!!
Your dishes....
Coffee, Tea, Apple Cider, pop tarts, hot and cold cereals....
I loved being able to do that!!!
A Microwave with a container of sugar and sweeter and your silverware on top....
A fully stocked refrigerator with milk, cream cheese and butter, chocolate milk, yogurt, juices , water and flavored creamers!!!!
A table for two with a beautiful compote filled with fresh fruit.......
The one side of the bed with the TV out of the picture on the left side.....
The other side of the bed and the door way into the private sitting room....
I so enjoyed sitting in here in the afternoon with the sun illuminating the detailed design of these windows, glancing through my magazines with my feet up .........
Look at this To Die For sink!!!
The shower.....
A hand written note that said "Good Morning"!!
I took so many pictures that I could not do just one post!!
Now on Saturday the Mansion hosted a Royal Wedding Tea that we attended with some friends...
Here are some pictures that were taken the night before and the morning of the Royal Wedding Tea....
This was set up at the front door....
These pictures were taken of the rooms in the downstairs of the Mansion with tables set up for the Tea the evening before.....
The Ladies Parlor.....
In Part Two, I will show you more pictures of this area with the doors open.....
It remains on display on top of the Baby Grand Piano.....
Seating set up in the Gentleman's Parlor....
In the Dining Room.......
Look at the ceiling.....
This was in the Library....
It was great just to walk downstairs to attend the Tea....
Here I am with my good friend, Lisa Lewis, aka Victoriana Lady, who is hostess for all Tea's at the Mansion..
Lisa is getting ready to greet guests.....
The marvelous Wedding Cake that was created by Chef Jody Klocko was placed on it's table of Honor....
Victoriana Lady greeting guests and informing them of their seating placement....
The other side showed our menu for the Tea which was taken from the actual menu of the Royal Wedding Reception that was hosted by Queen Elizabeth.......
I took this picture after I got home because I forgot to take pictures of the table with these cute figures added to them....
Here is Joe and our friend, Sue , seated at our table.....
Owner Joe Matteo making his rounds, welcoming the guests to the mansion and explaining the menu.....
Our gracious host, Joe Matteo, owner of the Stegmaier Mansion....
I forgot to take a picture of the first course of the tea.
Here is the second course.....
The third course....
Victoriana Lady showcasing some of her items from her collection that are part of various programs she presents.....
These were glove stretchers....
I love the look on Lisa's face as she explained that Victorian women wore shoes that were one size too small to make their feet look smaller.....
I think maybe the woman seated to the right was saying " OH No!"
LOL!!
Lisa is holding a pair of shoes from her collection.....
May I comment that Lisa made her hat when she was asked to portray Phoebe Snow as part of a presentation at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pa.
She had to create a pure white hat as she knew that she would never be able to find a pure white authentic hat from that Era.
Click HERE to visit Lisa Lewis's Blog, All Things Victorian.
A Bridal Fan....
He received a huge round of applause.....
Chef Jody Klocko answering questions from guests....
For us, that was upstairs....
LOL!
After the Tea, we were allowed to ask our friends up to the suite to visit with us for awhile.
We had a wonderful time.....
When they left, we changed into comfy clothes and watched The King's Speech in the sitting room of our suite...
PLEASE click HERE for Part Two of our Dream Weekend at the Stegmaier Mansion.
I have lots more of detailed pictures to share with you and pictures of the grounds in the back of the mansion.
For info on the Stegmaier Mansion, please Click HERE
We want to especially thank Joe Matteo, our gracious host , for a truly memorable weekend!!
This was probably the most time I spent relaxing in years!
We love you, Joe!!
I am linking up to :
Amaze Me Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Tea Cup Tuesday
Tea Time Tuesday
Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday
Wow US Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday
Cottage Flora Thursday
Vintage Thingie Thursday
Home Sweet Home Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Pink Saturday
Seasonal Sunday
Travels Near and Far Party
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today and everyday that you take the time to do so!!
Hugs,
Debbie
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