Touring Molly Brown's House -- It's Unsinkable!!

When my sister came for a visit recently,
we toured the Molly Brown house on Pennsylvania Street in Denver. 

A stunning 1880's mansion, it was once the residence of J.J. and Margaret "Molly" Brown. 

If you're a history buff or just love old houses, this tour is a must. 

This is the front parlor where Margaret received visitors.
I wonder if the bearskin rug was a subtle reminder for guests to behave!

Margaret gained fame as a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. 

She was never called Molly in her lifetime but the Broadway musical,
The Unsinkable Molly Brown, changed all that for posterity. 

In her lifeboat, she encouraged other survivors to row, sing and survive. 

She also tried to convince a ship's officer to turn around and search for more survivors. 

One of my favorite rooms -- her library. 

Margaret was a well-known philanthropist and socialite as well as
an activist for education and women's rights 

She spoke five languages and loved to travel, often returning to Denver 

with crates of antiquities like the huge sphinxes on the front of the house.

Wonder where I could pick up a couple of these for my front porch?

She acquired great wealth in 1893 when her husband, J.J., made a bundle 

in mining engineering. They purchased the house the following year. 

After Margaret's death in 1932, the mansion housed twelve roomers and deteriorated rapidly.

When the mansion next door was demolished (and this three-story condominium was built;
it looks old but is brand new), the Molly Brown house began to sink into the empty pit beside it. 

This caused cracks in the mosaic tile floor on the porch which had to be replaced. 

It's always something with old houses, isn't it? 

The house was destined for demolition in 1970 when a group of concerned citizens formed 

the Historic Denver non-profit and saved it from the wrecking ball. 

They've been renovating it with many original items as well as period antiques ever since. 

Apparently, just after The Titanic movie was released, the house had so many visitors,

 they had to replace the worn-out carpets throughout the house! 

Wouldn't you just love a pantry like this . . . 

or a sumptuous dining room like Margaret's?

Allegedly, she said the animal heads were there to remind guests that she decorated

just like Teddy Roosevelt, her close personal friend.

Actually, she never met the man. 

If the family wanted a snack, they could just ring for it with this clever contraption.

Shades of Downton Abbey!

Here is the "modern" bathroom. 

Women sat down to do their toilette which is why the sink was so low.

So, for $8 you can enjoy a fascinating 45-minute guided tour where you'll not only learn more about the unsinkable "Molly" Brown but also have the opportunity to see two of the three floors of her historic house. The top floor will be open next year and will feature a servant's room.

And don't forget, the gorgeous carriage house in the back is now a gift shop.

It's bigger than my entire house!

Be sure to put this on your list of must-sees if you're planning a trip to Denver.

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