Spring at Kingwood Center

Hello Everyone,
I want to share some photos with you that I took yesterday at Kingwood Center, which is a 47-acre public estate/gardens in Mansfield, Ohio. This was my third time visiting. I was there in the fall, and posted about it, which you can find HERE, and then again at Christmastime HERE. Each season is spectacular! Kingwood Center was once a private residence, built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King. Mr. and Mrs. King, who never had children, left their estate to a private foundation, and it was opened to the public in 1953. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company.

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound

               Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

                                Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

                                      

Kingwood Center Christmas ~

Hello Everyone,
I have photos to share of my trip to Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio on Tuesday! A brief history: Kingwood Center is a 47-acre estate, built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King. The couple never had children, so most of their estate was left to a private foundation that continues to operate the center today. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company. Staff and volunteers go all out with decorations for the holidays! The home consists of three floors, with most of the main living area being on the second floor. Bedrooms are on the third floor, and the first floor contains the Assembly Room (or Ballroom.) To visit Kingwood Center's website, click HERE.  Now, on to the holiday tour!

A 14-foot Christmas tree greets you as you enter the foyer.

The "marble" staircase.*
*After my original post, I received a comment from one of the wonderful volunteers at Kingwood Center. She informed me that the marble banister is actually a faux marble. It's wood painted with a feather to give it a marble look. I had no idea! It looks exactly like marble!

Second floor hallway, showing stairway going up to third floor.

The dining room - Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the table!

Handpainted wallpaper from France in the dining room

Many of the original furnishings are still in the mansion. This is in the second floor hallway.

All of the following photos were taken in Mr. King's personal "sitting room," which I might add, is one of the larger rooms in the home. He would go there to relax, read, and occasionally entertained guests there. The antique cabinet to the right of the first photo still contains some of Mr. King's personal books.

The library, which is right next door to Mr. King's sitting room.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief tour of Kingwood Center! If you missed my post of the outside gardens when I visited the center in October , you can see it by clicking HERE. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to:    Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Miss Spenser's Blog

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Autumn Reflections 2011 ~

Autumn is fading fast in northwest Ohio. Most of the trees are bare, it's cold and windy and we even had a few snow flurries today. It was "spittin' snow" as my Mom would say. The holidays are fast approaching and some are starting to decorate for Christmas. I'm not quite ready to let go of fall though, and want to hang on just a little bit longer...so here's to autumn 2011!

Collage photos taken at Forrest Nature Preserve in northwest Ohio and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio.

Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio

Indian Mill in Wyandot County, Ohio

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend!
Cindy

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

Kingwood Center ~

Kingwood Center is a 47-acre public garden/estate located in Mansfield, Ohio. At one time, it was a private residence. My sister and I have been planning a visit since spring (when it's most well-known for its' lavish display of tulips and other spring blooms.) So, finally this past week we went...it was overcast and rainy, but it didn't dampen our fun at all. In fact, it was nice seeing it for the first time in the "off season," because there were no crowds.  I can't believe I've lived in Ohio for years and had never seen this gem!

The lane leading into Kingwood Center

Built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King, Kingwood Center was opened to the public in 1953. Mr. and Mrs. King never had children, and most of their estate was left to the private foundation that continues to operate Kingwood Center today. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company.

The gardens at Kingwood Center include a spectacular spring display of tulips, crocus, daffodils, redbuds, dogwoods and magnolias. In summer, this transitions into annuals, peonies, iris, daylilies, herbs, roses, a shady woodland garden and much, much more. They also have a greenhouse of tropical flowers and  succulents. This time of year, there weren't many flowers in bloom, of course, but the autumn colors were gorgeous! There's also an array of winding paths and curving stairways, stone walls the enclose hidden gardens, statuary, ponds and fountains, and benches to sit and relax.

Just a few of the statues in the various gardens at the estate.

A view of the back of the mansion from one of the gardens.

Until next time, I hope you've enjoyed this tour of Kingwood Center! To visit their website, click HERE.

Cindy