Moss Mansion, Billings

The house is nearly intact since 1903. At least 80% or more of the original artifacts are displayed on the tour with original 1903 photographs to prove it. New York Architect Henry Janeway Hardenburg, famous for the New York Plaza Hotel and Dakota Apartment building, designed the house to Mattie Moss' specifications. The house is Victorian Eclectic with many styles living in harmony with each other. The entry is Moorish with exotic plaster accents and original paint inspired by the 700 year old Alhambra in Spain. The Louis the sixteenth French revival parlor still contains the original gold leaf furniture, Ottoman silk draperies, Aubusson carpets and bright pink rose damask silk wall coverings. The sitting room has the original Persian rug, burlap wall paper with batik and stenciled curvilinear vines and blooming flowers and the original rust applique portiers. Exquisite. The Empire dining room has two windows into the original conservatory for spring and summer year round. The Art Moderne kitchen is at least 30 years ahead of its time and comfortable by todays standards. All but one bed is on display in the family bedrooms with many details as they lived in this home for over 80 years. Entrance is around back into the basement where the gift shop is located. Guided tours take around an hour. Many family diaries and letters are still being studied and added to the living history accounts in the archive so new things are being added to the tour all the time. If you love turn of the 20th century homes you will not be disappointed by this Billings treasure.