Description: As I explained in an earlier entry, Oglebay is about many themes: history, agriculture, West Virginia glass, antiques, nature, the arts, resort vacations, and more. The Mansion Museum was the home of Earl Oglebay, who studied agricultural methods in order to help himself and others in the area to become self-sufficient. He was a businessman, as well as a gentleman farmer and an important person in the area's history. However, a tour of his home reveals the importance to him of home and family and friends and entertaining.
Many wedding presents, Oglebay and wife's, as well as his daughter's, are displayed behind glass showcases in museum rooms. The wide hallways in the mansion have had showcases built into the walls. All these display a great amount of glass and china, mostly European, some American. Anyone who has spent time looking through antique books would recognize some rare and valuable pieces. All this, plus some glass and china are displayed in their authentic setting among the mansion furniture. Especially at Christmas, the Victorian home is decorated with a design to delight.
Besides glass and china, the museum includes a model railroad, Victorian clothing, and many pictures with explanations that tell the story of a family to whom home was important. It is a self-guided tour with audio in each room. You push the buttons. Just a few exceptions: in the entry room where you pay your admission and in the showcase rooms, attendants have introductions and explanations and are available to answer questions. This is really an excellent tour, so don't he deceived by the admission. The house is huge, lovely, completely furnished with fabulous Victorian furnishings, everything exceptionally polished and sparkling. It's also a very educational tour, where you can learn about everything from early agriculture to entertaining. I have taken this tour twice and will do it again.
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