Spirit of Christmas Past Heritage Homes Tour

Independence, Mo., is steeped in American history.

Civil War battles, treaties with Indians, confrontations over slavery, Mormons seeking religious freedom — all of these events have ties to Independence.

In the mid-1800s, Independence served as the launching point for the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails. Its proximity to the Missouri River made it an ideal trading post where pioneers stopped for supplies. Thus, the town was a predestination for many families, traders and fortune-seekers heading west.

Today, the former frontier town, located on the eastern edge of the Kansas City metro area, is an ideal stopping spot for motorhomers passing through America's heartland. Especially during the holiday season ….

Deck the houses
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian traditions by taking the Spirit of Christmas Past Heritage Homes Tour, offered from Nov. 26 to Dec. 30, 2004. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer guides lead visitors through three historic homes: the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, the 1859 Jail and Marshal's Home and Vail Mansion.

The homes, once occupied by former social, community and political leaders, stand out culturally and architecturally. And they provide a glimpse of how frontier-era residents celebrated the holidays.

Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific
Theme: Honoring Our Holiday Heritage

This home was built in 1855 and expanded in 1899. Oriental carpets, original chandeliers and Edwardian furniture remain.

"Hummels for the Holidays," a collection of porcelain figures from around the world, including a special Hummel Nativity, are displayed. The smells of home-baked holiday treats lead guests to tea and cookies in the Victorian Tea Room on the third floor.

George Caleb Bingham, an American painter and Missouri politician, was one of the home’s most distinguished residents. Three generations of the Waggoner family, millers of the Queen of the Pantry biscuit flour, also lived there.

In frontier days, the Santa Fe trail ran right past the eastern edge of the estate. Family members could sit on the covered veranda and watch thousands of covered wagons amble by on their way west.

1859 Jail and Marshal's Home, 217 N. Main
Theme: Holiday Joys

The U.S. Marshal and his family lived in this federal-style two-story brick home, which contains simple furnishings of the time.

When built, the jail contained 12 limestone cells. In 1901 a brick jail was added to confine chain gang prisoners. The limestone jail and the 1901 chain gang jail adjoin the rear of the home.

You can see the Marshal’s home from Main Street.

Frank James, Jesse James' older brother, spent almost six months in the limestone jail.

The holiday theme is expressed with homemade bows, ribbons, wreaths and ornaments from the 1850s.

Vail Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty
Theme: A Gilded Victorian Yuletide

Built by Colonel and Mrs. Harvey Vaile in 1881, the 31-room Vail Mansion is an example of Second Empire style architecture. With their steep, double-sloped mansard roofs, these houses evoked European majesty. The haunting house on the hilltop in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is an example of this architectural style.

The opulence and elegance of Vail Mansion is evident upon entering through the foyer doors and seeing their etched crystal panes.

A 6-foot-tall "chandelier" tree, fully decorated, hangs in the entryway. The tree stems from a German custom practiced by Queen Victoria in one of her English castles. Although all of the other decorations change from year to year, the chandelier tree is so popular that it is decorated and hung every year.

Other eye-catching sights in the Vail Mansion include nine marble fireplaces, a built-in 6,000-gallon water tank, a 48,000-gallon wine cellar and hand-painted ceilings.

Details
The Spirit of Christmas Past Heritage Homes Tour runs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., from Nov. 26 to Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 23-25). The tour costs $9 for all three homes. Visitors may tour them at any time during the five-week period, for one admission price. The homes are not wheelchair accessible.

It takes about 40 minutes to tour each home. The Jail and Marshal's Home tour is the shortest of the three.

During the special Twilight Tour, on Dec. 5 only, the homes offer bonus activities such as a bell choir, costumed storytellers, re-enactments.

Independence Tourism recommends that motorhome owners drive their towed vehicles and park on the street or in various city lots. Campus RV Park (406 S. Pleasant; 816 254-1815; www.campusrv.com), is located one block from the Waggoner Estate but fills up fast during the holidays.

Flurry of holiday activity
Visitors can find unique items in the gift shops at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vail Mansion and at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library. In addition, specialty and antiques stores line the historic Independence square.

President Harry S. Truman grew up in the area. His library and home are now open to the public in Independence, and will be decorated for the season. Also during the holidays, the lower level of the Mormon Visitors Center is transformed in to a fairyland of gingerbread cottages, castles and other creations.

These are only a few of the holiday events and attractions in Independence. For more info, contact Independence Tourism at (800) 748-7323 or visit its Web site, listed below.

Independence Tourism
www.visitindependence.com