Experience the Magic of Christmas at the Victorian Mansion Museum
Step back in time this holiday season at the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum! Tour the twenty-six-room Victorian Romanesque Revival-style mansion where each room has been transformed to fit the theme of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, beautifully decorated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Barnesville area.
Tours take place on weekends now through December 22nd. On Fridays, tour hours are 5-8 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, visit from 1-4 p.m. The admission fee is $8 for adults and $2 for students ages 6-18. Senior citizens, veterans, and groups 10+ enjoy $1 off admission. Private tours for groups of ten or more are available by reservation through January 12th.
The Mansion Museum has a rich history that dates back to 1827 when Joseph and Isabella Bradfield left York, England to establish a thriving mercantile business in Belmont County. Their legacy continued with their son, John W. “Diaz” Bradfield, who—with his wife, Sarah—began construction on a magnificent Romanesque Revival-style home at the corner of Walton Avenue and North Chestnut Street in 1888. This grand mansion, completed in 1893 for $65,000 (about $2 million today), became a true showpiece of the era.
The Bradfield family enjoyed their stately home for decades until Mr. Bradfield’s passing, after which it was sold to Earl and Pearl (Bradfield) Watt. The Watts lived there until 1965, preserving the mansion’s splendor. In 1966, the Belmont County Historical Society acquired the property and began the ambitious work of restoring it to its Victorian glory, eventually transforming it into the beloved Victorian Mansion Museum it is today.
Since then, additions such as a charming gazebo in the 1990s and the restoration of the porch roof in 2014 have enhanced the mansion’s appeal. With 26 rooms lovingly preserved to reflect the elegance of the Victorian era, the mansion now invites visitors to step back in time and experience its historic beauty—a popular setting for weddings, events, and tours.
In addition to the Magic of Christmas tours, the Belmont County Victorian Mansion is hosting several enchanting Christmas Teas. Spots are still available for the December 6th and 7th teas starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25 per person. If you would like to make a reservation, please call 740-695-0766.
To learn more, visit the museum’s website.
