Friday, July 27, 2012

The 1845 Historic Elgin/Cottrell House Museum


   Located  about 100 feet from the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, in the Historic town of Clarksville,Missouri, the 1845 Historic Elgin/Cottrell House Museum, is open for tours ,anytime with reservations or during special events. Call Richard Cottrell, the owner, to arrange your tour.573 -242- 9688
  Tours last around 1 hour and cost $5.00 a person. Baby strollers are not allowed.Clarksville is 70 miles from St.Louis,Missouri and 50 miles from Hannibal,Missouri.


This is the entrance to the Mississippi River Front Park, just across the street from my Antique Shop


   Clarksville was settled in 1815 and named after the famous American Explorer, of the Lewis and Clark team. It is one of the few towns left with it's main street on the river banks. Having survived many floods, it is a thriving town with many artist studios and antique shops. A great tourist destination, especially the 1845 Elgin/Cottrell House.
     The Elgin family came to America on the Mayflower. They fought in the Revolutionary War with George Washington. They married into the John Adams family. They were given a Spanish Land Grant  by President James Manroe ,in the territory of Missouri. Missouri became a state in 1821. That land was in the area of Clarksville,Missouri ,starting at the river, They built a trading post and dealt with the native Americans. Built the first road from Clarksville to St. Louis. Opened the first hotel in Clarksville and built a opera house. Hazakeah Elgin built the Elgin/Cottrell house, stating in 1845 with an 1860 addition. The house stayed in the Elgin family for over 100 years.

The grounds are done in the Ante Bellum style

   The house was bought by Richard Cottrell in the spring of 2006. Having no working utilities it was not livable. A massive 3 year restoration was done and in 2009 it was opened to the public for the first time. Tours have been offered ever since. The house is named for it's builder,Hazekiah Elgin, and it's savior,Richard Cottrell. Thus the, Elgin/Cottrell House. It is one of the oldest houses in Clarksville.
    Reproduction wall paper, fabric and paint colors were used. Antique furniture and decorative accessories from the 1860 period fills the rooms of the museum. A large collection of formal oil portraits are on the walls. The house is very beautifully decorated and appointed.Most guest are amazed at the treasure inside and the decor. A lot of museum houses  are rather bare, Not this house.

The Down River or Gentleman's Parlor


Wall paper and ceiling details



Some of the   fine  antique accessories you will see in the museum

The windows are 9 foot tall, go all the way to the floor and all have a grand view of the Mississippi.

   The house has been featured twice, in the nation magazine, Victorian Homes. It was also features on PBS -TV,with a 30 minute program in February of 21012. Many local newspapers have covered the house as well.
    The tours are given by the owner, a antiques dealer, art major and interior designer. there is no question he can not answer and he always throws in a little humor as well. Be sure and ask him who cleans the house and who the people are in the portraits. There are 12 rooms, all done to the Ante Bellum period. You can walk in the rooms, set on the furniture and touch things with permission. It is a very fun and unique experience.
   I promise you you will enjoy the tour, so make plans to call for a reservation soon.


My Antique Mall 2 blocks from the house.

Inside the mall where I have 7 dealers plus me for a nice  mixture of antique and vintage  items


  Richard also has an Antique Mall in downtown Clarksville. It is only 2 blocks from the house. It is a very unique shopping destination. Several dealers all add personality  to the every changing inventory. 101 First Street. Open every day but Tuesdays. 10 to 5. The Downtown Antique mall. 573- 242-9688
The Up River or Ladies Parlor. Facing the river.



The museum has one of the largest collection of formal oil portraits in Missouri.

Beautiful Antique Accessories are every where.
 
 

The Kitchen

 Hand Made Early Baskets

Cow creamers and Staffordshire Dogs

Early crockery in the kitchen
 

  The house can be rented for parties. Cottrell will make a beautiful setting for your next function. he uses all the fine china, crystal and silver from the butlers pantry, Fresh flowers make for a beautiful  setting. Small groups can have brunch, lunch, dinner, or a desert buffet. You can even have a small, private and very beautiful wedding in the double parlor. Prices are figured on number of people and what you need. You can do the food or Cottrell will arrange for it. References upon request.



Dining room mantle

Dining room wall paper and ceiling details

Dining Room chandelier is 5 foot tall, French, and came from a palace in Turkey





Bus tours are welcome, we have plenty of parking

Tourist arriving at the 1845 Elgin/Cottrell House

Tourist enjoying a tour and a piano player.

 This is Sissy, she will always greet you at the door with a jump and a kiss.
                                      PLEASE COME TAKE A TOUR REAL SOON.
                                                Call for reservations. 573-242-9688

24 comments:

Martha said...

Next time we're in your area we'll stop by for a tour -- I adore old houses. Check out my blog -- we went to the Governor's Mansion last Thursday -- I've wanted to go "forever" and it finally happened. It was an awesome house!

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Richard I just love it ALL so much! I never get tired of looking at it. Everything is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Gina

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I wish I was close enough to tour your lovely home. I guess I will have to be content to enjoy your blog tours. Everything is just lovely-especially Sissy! I love history and your stories are always so good.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Richard,
If I could, I would make a special trip just to visit your beautiful home and your shop!

Hugs,
Debbie

ornamentsbypink said...

Hi richard, I just love the wallpaper in the dining room and the chandelier is gorgeous!
If I lived closer I sure would come over for a tour and a visit to the antique shop!
Mary

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Hi Richard... My favorite room is the room with the cranberry chandelier... So lovely... best wishes and you are extremely busy.... I am not so active as I have some series health issues and will be having surgery soon.... a maybe in several weeks I can get back to doing things I love...

Ivy and Elephants said...

Hi Richard,
If I ever make it that far I'm certainly going to put your home on my to do list! Every inch is a feast for the eyes. Oh, an hour is just a tease, I'd have to keep coming back time and again! LOL
And to get to your store, ... it's every man for himself and get out of my way for all of that yummy treasure!
Hugs,
Patti
Feel free to link up your tour information.

Sea Witch said...

Sissy will greet you with a jump and a kiss. Sold, I will be there because you know Sissy has all the history about the house.

Anonymous said...

Seems like each time you show pictures, I notice something new. This time it's that fabulous pink & white jardiniere and pedestal with the palm tree in front of a window. Is that porcelain? Could you do one of your informative posts on that sometime?

Thanks!
Deb

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Richard,
I surely enjoyed all the beautiful photos of your Historic House, but I must tell you your display of cow creamer just made my heart go pitter patter..I absolutely love them all!
So darn cute and full of whimsy I think.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

Curtains in My Tree said...

I can hardley wait till my group gets to come over for a tour

soon as it is cool ? where ever that will be ?

I hope your birthday coming up is a great day for ya Aug 4th ?

And it's your official senior citizen birthday Happy 65th Richard

I love the kitchen the best I think however the entire house is fabulous and delicious

xoxo Janice

Laura said...

Richard, thanks for this wonderful post. I would love to come for a tour, but if I can't make it this year, I really enjoyed this virtual tour. Give Sissy Dog and hug and kiss for me. I hope you get thousands of visitors and make lots of money!

Calvin said...

Amazing! The place has turned from good to awesome. The house is so huge. No wonder, it took three years to put furniture and a lot of stuff inside. The interior almost looks like that of a castle. I was mesmerized by the walls, the chandeliers, the figurines… all of it! Ooh, I’d love to visit that wonderful masterpiece some time.

Calvin Mordarski

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

One day I'll make a trip just to see your gorgeous home, those cow creamers, and Sissy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Richard! Your home is so lovely and I'm sure your tourists love it too. Now I see a few Staffys I need!
I was thinking about you and hoping you're well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love your Historic Home Richard and I'm missing you my friend. Just came to say hello and wish everything is well with you and your summer is ending beautifully, my friend. I love looking at your cute Staffie doggies, I still need to add those to my dog collection. Everything is stunning at your home and a big hug for sweet Sissy.
Love,
FABBY

Charlotte Wilson said...

Richard,
If we ever get out that way, you are on my list. Besides seeing your lovely home, I want to meet you and Sissy!

Charlotte

Cass @ That Old House said...

Richard, I would love you and your house solely on the basis of the cow pitchers and the Staffordshire dogs alone -- but OH there is just so much to look at and love.
I'm fascinated by the ceilings, too.

I didn't realize you had an antiques mall, too -- wonderful! I hope it's perking along well. I doubled my space on faith alone, and it seems to be working -- I am selling more now that I can have more things in my booth. But it also means it takes up more of my time!
No free lunch, eh?
Big hugs to Sissy -- I SO miss having a dog in my house. I'm just not ready; still too sad over Dion's passing.

All good wishes -- Cass

Missouri Gal said...

I love the cow creamers!

Bernideen said...

Love your antique mall - we will stop in when we come your way!

we three dogs and me said...

Richard I am so glad you are back. I missed your sweet dog and the many articles on antiques. I know my blog is not your style but loved that you would stop and see what I was up to. I want to make people smile. It is good for the soul. Your home is the most beautiful home I have ever saw, Wish I could visit. Take care don't over do.

Unknown said...

What a lovely house er…museum. Normally houses like this who housed important historical figures are turned into museums as a way to preserve it. I always did love researching about homes mostly to know what I will say while talking to clients, but researching this is my pastime. It’s a nice thought that those who used to live there actually made our country better, like John Adams.

Ofelia Bertrand

Unknown said...

Love the view of the Mississippi from the 9ft window, though patio doors look better to maximize the lightning and view, check the click here for patio door designs.

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