Understated opulence. Is there such a thing? Seems like a contradictory statement, right? But, as we drove up and parked curbside at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, in Oswego, New York, this was my very first thought. It stood silently at the corner, like a sentinel, guarding the past, protecting the treasures that lay within.
The Tuscan Villa, designed and built as a private residence for Maxwell B. Richardson, was finished in two stages. The first, in 1867, was actually an addition to the modest house that already stood on the property. The second stage, begun in 1887, witnessed the demolition of Richardson’s 1840’s structure and later, in 1889, the completion of the villa’s south wing.
Max, who was a lifelong bachelor, lived here with his widowed mother, Naomi Richardson, his divorced sister, Harriet Richardson-Bates and her son, Norman Bates. It seemed an awful lot of house, for such a small family.
We rang the front bell and waited outside for the heavy wood doors to open and allow us entrance. It took a few minutes, but eventually, we were invited inside by Justin White, county historian, and OCSH president, where we were afforded more than a glimpse of the mansion’s breathtaking beauty.
Immediately, we could see the impeccable craftsmanship in the architecture of the home. With 15 foot ceilings, heavy wood archways and richly paneled walls, complete with old-fashioned pocket doors, we could only imagine what it must have been like to live here, so many years ago.
Heavy drapes hung from windows in the front and side rooms. Justin pointed out sections where the late 1800’s rugs and furniture had been restored from years of use, duplicated with exact precision.
On the wall of one room, several oil paintings, aged drastically with time, were suspended on a heavy cord. At the far end, under a lamp’s soft light, we could see where a single masterpiece had been revived, brought back to its original luster, with painstaking care. It was so beautiful, seeing each intricate detail of the artist’s brush.
In the library, I was most drawn to the stereoscope, this one an elaborate piece of ‘furniture’ made from smooth wood, standing about 4 feet high.
Because Maxwell and other members of the family were such lovers of exotic travel, it was their habit, to purchase postcard-type photographs from each overseas visit, to share when they arrived home again. It was easy, to imagine a room full of friends and family taking turns at the stereoscope’s eyepiece while the butler and maid worked their way around the room with drinks and hors-d’oeuvres, soft music as a backdrop.
All photos of the Richardson-Bates house courtesy of Theresa St. John
In 1945, after Norman’s widow passed away, the children donated the residence and 90 percent of it’s original furnishings to the Oswego County Historical Society. This was in honor of their love of family, their memories of childhood. Most of these are kept amongst rooms on the first floor.
Upstairs, an extensive exhibit of the famous Richardson Theater, Oswego’s premier playhouse during its heyday, is open to the public.
Dollhouses that entertained children for hours on end, portraits of family members and other antiquated pieces of history help tell the story of past generations and the city in general.
Before the doors closed firmly on our afternoon visit to this stunning museum, I imagined a most genteel voice bidding us farewell, inviting us to come again. I nodded my head, acknowledging that, indeed, I’d be back for another visit.
Things to do in Oswego, New York
View the Richardson-Bates website here.
Do you have a favorite Victorian mansion near you? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
Such an interesting museum and residence. If only those walls could talk what amazing stories it must have!
I agree! I feel like that anytime I walk into a historical place. I always wonder about the people and wish I could hear the stories, as I wander through each room.
I’m a native New Yorker – Syracuse. Oswego is home to our college and much more. I don’t think I ever knew about this. Haven’t been back in many years.
Oh! You should go if you ever get the opportunity! It is a wonderful home, with impeccable details throughout. I loved the tour and being able to photograph each room sure was a treat!
One of my favorite things to do, all my life, has been to visit homes that tell a story. This is one I will have to visit! The photos are stunning and you spin a good yarn! Can’t wait!
It was a wonderful visit!
The gentleman who showed us around actually told me he fell in love with this Victorian home when he was 9 years old! I was so impressed by that statement!
It was a marvelous place and I look forward to hearing what you think about it when you get to visit yourself.
I live in Oswego, NY and have never been to the Richardson-Bates museum, but will be making a visit soon ! Thank you for the beautiful photos !
I am so glad you enjoyed the article. It’s funny, how we can live somewhere for years, yet miss a hidden gem like this one. I am always discovering things in my home town, as well.
I hope you do go visit! You won’t be sorry.
What a beautiful home and thank you for the tour. In Australia, like the US we are still quite young in our western architecture, However in Sydney and Melbourne there are gorgeous examples of Victorian era architecture. Such stately and dignified homes.
I have always loved old homes ~ they always have such a wonderful back story. The architecture here was astounding, the detail was just amazing and nothing like what we have today. Old homes, I think, just have so much more personality than the newer constructions.
Someday, I would love to visit your country!
so much detail and so many beautiful little touches – you can see the workmanship and love that went into building and decorating it!
It was a tour I will not forget. My father loved carpentry and I imagine he would have loved walking through these rooms – the detail in the woodwork was ridiculous!
It was very evident that they loved the house. The craftsmanship was beyond anything I had seen before.
What a fantastic article! Beautifully described detail in the home. Absolutely fascinating!
It was a hidden gem in the area, that’s for sure! I could have spent more time there, fascinating history!
Wow! I would have loved to tour that beauty! Can you imagine living there? I don’t think I’d go out much lol. Thanks for sharing this…I can stare at those pictures for hours!
Thanks for taking the time to read my visit. I had a ball taking the pictures, that’s for sure! Really was a place that I would love to visit again!
Thanks for sharing. Seeing this lovely historic home makes me want to travel again.
Travel, I am in love with it! There are so many places in this state alone, I will never live long enough to see them all! I hope you go somewhere and enjoy it !!
Love to hear of new places to see in upstate NY. Sound and looks great.
There are so many places in Upstate New York, I wish there was enough time to see all of them! 🙂
Such an interesting article. What an amazing house described with such detail.
If you are ever near that area, you should definitely go see!!
I was born in Oswego, New York, as were my parents and grandparents. My father spoke of the beauty of the Richardson-Bates home but always referred to it only as Richardson’s home. I have never visited the museum, but totally enjoyed walking through the pictures of it with you. I am going to New York this summer and plan on visiting this remarkable home. I love architecture, most especially the old architecture as the beauty of it cannot be duplicated. Oswego is filled with history as well as the beautiful architecture of years past. The picture of the library is my favourite.
Please let me know what you think of it after your visit! It’s fun to get other people’s take on the same thing. I fell in love with the home, it had so much personality!
What a wonderful job you did describing “our” beautiful home! The photos are wonderful too! Thank you so much for sharing your visit! We hope many who read your description will come to the Richardson-Bates House Museum for their own visit. We’re open for tours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. I’m on the Broad of Trustees and give tours at the museum. I hope to meet new folks soon. Thanks again!!
I am so pleased that you think I gave justice to this beautiful piece of history. I was so impressed with each room and Justin was so descriptive with his tales of the family,etc. I hope you receive more visitors, in part, because of my impression.
I will have to make my way back there again. Thank you so much for the tour, it was very informative.