Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

1/16/1904

JANUARY 16th Saturday.  Ther 54 degrees, about same all day, rainy cleared towards N[oon].  Wrote.  Called in P.M.  Flinch at Mrs. Serger’s in eve with Henry.  Mrs. W. returned from Vicksburg.  S.L. Guild made $41.60 … Read more.

Arthur B. Rae

Arthur B. Rae was among Bessie McKee’s most devoted and loyal estate staff. He came to work at Blithewold in 1906 and spent most of his adult life working for the McKee/Lyon family. His name … Read more.

Confusing Traffic Signs, May 1

CONFUSING TRAFFIC SIGNS by Marjorie Lyon February 26, 1949             As a small school girl, I was taught to read either from left to right or from top to bottom. Skipping about was not encouraged. … Read more.

Downtime at Blithewold?

The decorations have all been taken down, the Christmas trees are back in the basement, and the rooms at Blithewold look bare and forlorn, with only odd bits of leaves and glitter on the floor … Read more.

Happy Birthday, Augustus

Now that our Christmas and New Year’s celebrations have slipped into the past, we want to pause to honor our founder, Augustus Van Wickle, who was born on January 4, 1856. In January of 1883 … Read more.

A Very Merry Christmas

                Blithewold has thrown open its doors for the Christmas season, bringing the excitement of the season to all its visitors.  After you have toured the elegantly decorated Mansion, soaking up the festive atmosphere  within … Read more.

The News

I love new plants.  It always feels a little bit like Christmas morning when I see a new plant come into flower for the first time–except I have to be patient as it unwraps itself. … Read more.

Garden fireworks

Happy Fourth of July weekend!  It’s that time of the summer when we finally begin to take a step back from our full-speed-ahead mode of May and June.  Just when Gail, Sean (our intern this … Read more.

A Trip to New Orleans

Have you ever marveled at the different ways men and women see historic sites?  Here at Blithewold, Docents have to be prepared to answer very different questions from visitors.  Marjorie Lyon, herself, was well aware … Read more.

Kaleidoscope

I am always reluctant to say goodbye to summer but this morning, as I type with cold hands for the first time in months, I have to acknowledge a shift. The capricious weather has been … Read more.