The Conrad Mansion in Kalispell is the most beautifully preserved pre-1900 mansion in Montana complete with over 90% of the original family furnishings scattered throughout the 26-room home.
The mansion sits proudly today on the edge of the original townsite, atop a bluff overlooking the valley and the Swan Mountain Range. (To be perfectly honest with you, it doesn't look like this mansion sits on top of a bluff ... I think they're bluffing us!) When Charles E. Conrad, a founder of Kalispell, arrived in the Flathead Valley in 1891, the town with its tree-lined streets was still but a dream. But Conrad had a vision, and he felt that not only had he found a good investment opportunity, but also a permanent home for his descendants. Here are photos of Charles and his wife.
Their three children
Charles Conrad's youngest daughter, Alicia Conrad Campbell, actually lived in the home until 1964. Then in 1974, she made the decision to give the Conrad Mansion to the City of Kalispell in memory of her pioneering parents.
Photography inside the mansion was not allowed, so all the photos below that are interior shots I pulled off the Internet on their official website.
Kitchen artifacts
Bedroom beauty and dramatic dresses--all originals!
Bathroom elegance--an exceptional feature for the day
One of the guns in the collection
The library and its original furnishings
Stunning stained glass
Sitting room comfort
The main room, all decked out for the Christmas season
Now to the great outdoors! A simple garden light.
Flowers in abundance throughout the expansive grounds.
Picture-taking opportunities abound!
Mullioned windows
The rock fence around the property uses no cement--just rock on top of rock.
And a bonus shot! Here are the Workampers we met and spent so much time with over the summer. This was taken by our RV at one of our potluck dinners at our campsite. When the weather was good, and the fires were just a figment of our imaginations, we spent many a night sitting around the campfire enjoying each other's company and sharing stories of life in the campground which, honestly, would have made a great reality TV show!
Left to right: Colette & Joe; Heidi & Mike, Kay & William
(Gary is between Mike & Heidi and I'm on the far right)
John 14:2-3
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am there you may be also.
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