The Vaile Mansion
By Alexis Cornett
The Vaile Mansion
The Vaile Mansion is a very historical building, located in Independence Missouri. This three story home has nine marble fireplaces and 31 rooms. Though it is called "One of the most beautiful home around", there is still a rather disturbing and mystifying backstory.To summarize, the Vaile Mansion was built by Colonel and Mrs. Harvey Vaile in 1881. Harvey Merrick Vaile was in the mail and postal business for a long time, which is where he earned most of his money. Once he has enough, he invested into the Vaile Mansion. After 3 years, he had a stroke and never recovered, he died on June 4th, 1884. For a short amount of time afterwards, the vaile became an inn for many traveling people. Then, like many old homes, was turned into a private asylum. After many deaths there, it became an old folk's home, then was bought and restored by Roger and Mary Mildred Dewitt. After Mrs. Dewitt's death, the home was handed over to the people and turned into a Museum It is filled with hand carved marble figures and very beautiful Italian and Gothic features from back in the late 1800's. There are many festivities all year long, just to include a few, there is the Strawberry Festival, Tea party and Fashion show, and the Victorian winter wedding. The Vaile is taken care of by the Victorian society and it's many maintenance workers. It is opened form April to October, then again for the holiday season. You can go there on any day, ad long as you make an appointment, adult tickets are $6.00 each, kids are $3.00 each. It is a very fun visit, if you try not to think about it's dark history. The hours are as listed below:
Friday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
Sunday1:00 – 4:00 PM
Monday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pictures of the Vaile Mansion
Vaile Mansion in the wintertime
A side view of the Vaile
Black and white Vaile mansion historic photo
A Fun and spooky Tour almost all year long!
Hours and Extra things to Know
The Vaile Mansion is open from April through October and again through the holiday season.
April 1st - End of October
Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM
Closed for Decorating
November 1st-November 25th
Holiday Hours
November 25th-December 30th
Closed Dec. 23-25
Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM
This building is important to history because it has a very long and interesting history to it. It is a remarkable piece of architecture and deserves to be recognized because of how new it was back in the late 1800's. It could show young architects many important things about house building.
Vaile Mansion
Website: www.vailemansion.org/
Location: 1500 N Liberty St, Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 325-7430