HIDDEN SECRETS of a Civil War Mansion | History Traveler Episode 109

To fully understand history, it's best to immerse yourself into time period as much as possible and that is exactly what we are doing in this episode. We're at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, Missouri where we are exploring the ins and outs of one of the best preserved Civil War mansions in the country. With 80% of the original furnishings still remaining, you feel as if you are stepping back into the life of a family living in a border state along the Mississippi River during the Civil War. So much to see and learn in this one!
Learn more about the state parks in Missouri at mostateparks.com!
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[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Click here: kzbin.info Thanks!

[@frankscarborough1428]

Such a privilege to see this. Thanks it’s in wonderful condition. To see something like this home makes history come alive. Looking forward to the next episode in your series.

[@DramaMustRemainOnTheStage]

This looks so much like my aunt's house built right after the civil war.

[@DramaMustRemainOnTheStage]

I swear this is the same floor plan of my aunt's home built right after the CIVIL war

[@markdice3839]

How come you didn't ask her why Little Richard is wearing a dress regardless just found the station and I love it love to hear about history

[@thekingsilverado9004]

That side board was interesting as hell. My aunt and uncle had a vintage Pennsylvania Farm house in Kutztown Pa and my dad always made mention of their side boards joints like that. The side board was all Cherry wood like that with the top carved out almost dished shape it was blue and white Marble top. Mostly the top was the most interesting it had Blue Hue to it and blue veins in the sun light in lower light it appeared white. The furniture was in the family since the early 1800's most of it was bought near Harrisburg Pa and farther south in the Virginia's is where the chairs and tables we had came from. My cousin still has the side board cabinet tables chairs and a canopy bed that has the words Made in Atlanta Georgia on the left Cherry wood rail. The bed actually has what looks like little I beams as cross supports for the box spring which is new and modern but the craftsmanship of that old furniture always blows my mind whenever I visit we always talk about how old our farm is. 1758 is carved in the main support member of the house it's a 10"x10" 35' long beam under the center of the house and every floor plank is made of knotty Pine from the Northern Pine trees that were on the property. The lumber for our farm house my great great grandfather had made at the local mill near Lenhartsville mill & Kempton which is around the corner from Kutztown. Another fact is the Mill that supplied the old slate roof for our farmhouse had the same guy that put the roof on the later era main college administration building. A picture of the Mill owner and roofers hangs in that building or at least it was when I was a kid growing up. We no longer have the original slate roof on the house a tornado back in 1999 really ruined it so I put a metal roof on seeing the carnage and the broken roof rafters also the original Chimney was a loss so that was that took me a better part of a month to restructure everything repair the broken brick work. As I worked I thought of my late relatives that built our home there and what craftsman they were.

[@ryancooper2826]

Thanks for shedding light on our property! I'm the grounds keeper for HDSHS. We work hard to keep the house and grounds preserved as closely as possible to the way it was back in the 1800s. The entire house is built out of cypress, which is difficult to get these days. We don't trim around the trees in the yard to keep from scratching up the trees. Even the nails we use to make repairs are period correct. It's a tough job sometimes, but it is rewarding to preserve such a great part of American history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You all have an amazing place there. Thank you for all the hard work at preserving the history.

[@bluskyz7398]

It's beautiful, y'all do a great job. Incredible to be able to see all these things.

[@isabellavalencia8026]

Thankyou for all of your hard work.

[@robanderson7471]

Very beautiful for the civil war times close to the water. I'm surprised it wasn't damaged by the war in any ways. Still furnished with period furnishings. I wonder how many are true to the house. Nice preservation.

[@paulmaher3358]

@@TheHistoryUnderground @

[@janupczak1643]

Thank you for taking me places I'll never be able to travel to on my own. You have no idea what a gift you bring. Again, thank you so much for taking us along with you.❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure! I enjoy sharing the experiences.

[@dawnsimons118]

Such a nice comment . made me comment on your comment

[@janupczak1643]

@@dawnsimons118 Thank you so much...❤❤❤

[@anaetadesireechandler4122]

Thank you for the tour. When I stopped by many years ago they were just closing up and was not able to see the inside

[@maryannschweikert4495]

I agree with you Jan. Aat my age I think my traveling days are over. lol

[@lavernhall7535]

Wow ! this place is beautiful and the fact that 80% of the furniture is original makes this place even more special..what a treasure!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so.

[@rebeculus]

Original to the era, not the house. Still very cool though!!

[@lavernhall7535]

@@rebeculus Gotcha, but yes still very cool if that's true

[@janetkorsak]

Thank you for sharing this home with us. My Great-Grandmother lived in Iowa until the early 1960’s, on occasion my Grandma would take me there to visit when I was a little girl. There was no indoor plumbing, a porcelain covered pot was on the back porch for privacy. There was an outhouse but we never went near it. The thing that especially caught my eye was the wooden commode. Great-Grandma had one but no one EVER used it. She moved up to Chicago in the mid-60’s, her porcelain pot came with her…she used it until she got sickly and died in the 1976. Many times I wish I would have sat and talked with her about her life, but I never did. She gave my brother two Indian arrowheads she found coming across the Plains in a covered wagon to settle in Iowa. Thank you again for sharing this home.

[@whatdoyathink5966]

Wow Janet, what an Interesting Great Grandma You Had! I Wonder What Ever Happened to The Arrowheads?

[@donitaforrest9064]

Across the plains in a covered wagon.... absolutely panoramic! You should write down what you do know about her life story, leading up to yours, probably more than you think, for posterity & for your family. If able to connect, talk to others who may have been her friends & family, too.

[@storminite2041]

Cool memories, I wish you could of heard more of her stories. History lost is just tragic since everyone should know all the knowledge of their elders. Sending much love and prayers, ❤️ Stormi

[@lorishiversdogmom]

This house is beautiful and I love it's Civil war history. This house has always gotten lots of love and preservation. Nice to see. What a Gem!

[@SteveSmith-eb6ze]

I am shocked the fake news isn’t attacking the home,saying it’s racist.

[@kattiepacheco]

Tour guide, Matt, is my big brother! Hunter-Dawson is definitely an awesome historic site. This video does an amazing job of giving a small virtual tour, but nothing beats actually stepping foot inside the home. As hinted in the video, it’s like you’re stepping into history. Thank you for shining light on this small-town relic!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Awesome. He’s a great guide.

[@marthawagner6630]

When ever I watch or see old homes like this or visit, I always feel like that is the time period I should have lived in.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I hear you.

[@karlatessitore2484]

Me too!!!

[@rh5817]

Why?

[@rh5817]

But you may have been, beaten, whipped, raped and forced to leave your family. Why would you fantasize about such a period in time. ? 😢

[@jgren4048]

Because not having modern toiletry tissues would be such an adventure. Especially the outhouse and frequent snake oil salesmen giving you mercury or lead. Such fun!

[@frankduffy7471]

I am a life long, student of the Civil War and truly enjoyed your tour of this house!

[@motley100]

It was incredibly kind of the caretakers to open the doors to you. Thank you and thanks to them!

[@keithhon4268]

Live by New Madrid and am fortunate enough to have toured the Hunter-Dawson home in multiple occasions. I was disappointed you did not show their clothes. I have always been amazed how small they were. If you were 6 feet tall you were a giant. I also suggest the New Madrid Museum that goes over the New Madrid earthquake.

[@phillamoore157]

The craftsmanship on the woodwork is astounding, and was done with minimal tools. It never ceases to fascinate me what these people were capable of in their time. You don’t see that today. Things are mind-bogglingly efficient….but, no one really knows how to do anything. Automation has made the skills themselves obsolete. Absolutely amazing to see this home…thank you for sharing.

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

I agree with you. Amazing skills were taught and employed to create useful beauty in architecture. Carpentry was an honorable and practical profession that employed many and unfortunately has been reduced to a specialized trade today.

[@phillamoore157]

@@jamesrobiscoe1174 Yup....very well said. My wife and I were just having that conversation. We ordered a lot of molding recently for the floor, and the ceiling, and I told her that we're ordering MDF that was cut in mass on a CDC machine, what as once done by hand with what we would consider archaic tools throughout an entire house. And, it's impossible (for me) to even visualize one person doing detail trim work throughout an entire house, with nothing but hand tools. I've been trying to find some books, or videos of who, how, & when that kind of work was done, and what tools were used. I'd love to just sit back and watch someone who still has those skills do work that detailed. It's beyond fascinating to me. Those are workers were the same workers who could look at a tree, and know exactly what kind of wood it is. It was a better time. People took enormous pride in the work they did, and no one b*tched about anything, no matter how bad life got for them (and they MORE than their share of hard times). Thanks for the reply!👍

[@elisemiller13]

Lived in West Virginia & had a few friends who were masters at their hand tooled clawfoot furniture making. Just beautiful skills. There are still some who know how, but it certainly Rare!

[@phillamoore157]

@@elisemiller13 There's something astonishing about watching someone work who's spent THOUSANDS of hours crafting their skill. Better yet, there's something incredible about being TAUGHT by someone like that. Which unfortunately is also lost now. Teachers who have a purely academic knowledge of what they're teaching, and don't really "know" anything. They could build an entire house getting full use from three tools....

[@rebeculus]

And this is why I hope to never have to buy a house built after 1960. The one I’m currently in, built in 1968, has been constant problems. In my old house, which is 99 years old, I had no issues.

[@motogp2008champion]

After the war, ten thousand families left America and immigrated to Brasil where I am from. They found a city in the South of Brasil called Americana. Gorgeous city! Lots of festivities today! Big dresses, music, food, flags and love! Great people!

[@IratePuffin]

I think it’s wonderful that they’ve maintained this beautiful place as close to period as possible. Too many of these gorgeous homes have fallen down so it’s great to be able to see one that hasn’t!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I totally agree. So sad. They've done a great job at preserving this one though.

[@chrisduitsman2918]

Wow, such a beautiful house. I lived in an old Victorian house when I was a little kid. Love these old houses, they just have so much charecter and charm to them. And they were built to last.

[@charlenesdolls]

Yes, I have ancestors that fought in the Civil War, both sides, brother against brother, literally. A very horrible time in our history, for sure. Loved your tour. I love antiques, and seeing this era of furniture is quite amazing. Few homes were left in tact from that time.

[@amandanbier]

I’ve lived in St. Louis all my life and have never heard of this amazing place! Although it’s only a little over 2 hours from me, with my spinal disabilities and pain I’ll probably never be able to visit it. So thank you very much for sharing it along with the incredible details! Video tours like these are so special to those of us with disabilities who are unable to travel and visit them ourselves.

[@m.t.426]

Special to anybody that doesn't live close by too.

[@danielledavis57]

Yes I 2 would never be able 2 travel 2 see this

[@SirenaSpades]

I wonder what it would be like if people kept their illnesses to themselves online. Sharing to people you don't know.

[@watthaile2053]

​@@SirenaSpades There's no need for you to be mean. They've already suffered enough.

[@OverIt822]

Why do people always find a need to go out of their way to mention their disabilities, mentally and or physically, or trials, tribulations, and trauma, etc on YT when it’s kind of irrelevant? Why not just say “thank you for sharing things some people wouldn’t be able to see otherwise”? Or similar things like that?

[@ozzmania08]

Absolutely extraordinary house. Thank God it has some great caretakers. Just absolutely amazing find.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Completely agree!

[@musingsfromthehill9030]

Love it

[@dawnknoderer2092]

I volunteered at this house for candlelight tours and reenactments back in the ‘80’s. Beautiful house.

[@ronfritz1195]

What did the family do or own to be so wealthy?

[@caseytebo7147]

Any paranormal experiences?

[@mallenjm252]

Thank you for your volunteer work! I would have loved to have been on your tour!👌🤗

[@theresa_lili]

Thats awesome. I bet you have many fond memories

[@mchanrahanhanrahan4078]

Dawn, did you know the James family? I posted that my suitemate at Stephens college was Liz James. She was their daughter. Any way, I never got to tell her family what a sweet person she was when we lived together in college. I just thought I'd see if you knew the family at all.

[@nancywood9027]

I love history. It is so fascinating. I often wish I could step back in time and observe what people from the past were thinking and their daily lives so as to better understand their lives and even as it relates to all of us today. I especially love southernborder history.

[@susanmccormick6022]

And I.Have you been to the Samuel farm?I wish the paranormal guys would check it out sometime.

[@rainermalia4151]

Me too. It’s what I daydream about; I often wonder if I lived it and it’s a memory. But it’s so fascinating to me!

[@megfuchs9425]

Couldn't have worded it better myself!

[@atonement7232]

I love American Civil War history, one if the most fascinating wars in all history. This was such a great documentary, thank you for all the insight 🙏 From Australia 💖🇦🇺🇺🇸💖

[@A7ty34g]

I'm amazed at the condition of the carpets and wallpaper.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Some of the carpet was a reproduction. I do know that the carpet in the girls bedroom was original though.

[@pamlovell9125]

Do we know if the wallpaper is original? So beautiful!

[@sherryrunslate9678]

Most wallpaper made “back in the day” we of ornate colors, especially green. Turns out the green actually had arsenic in the makeup of the design and color.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Things were meant to last back then.Not like this throwaway society.Just about the only thing I would miss if transported back in time,apart from my kitties,would b my electric blanket.

[@tonyk1584]

On of the most violent series of earthquakes ever in the U.S., occured in the New Madrid area. One each in Dec 1811, Jan 1812, and Feb 1812 were estimated in modern terms to be around 7.0 to 7.5 on the Richter scale. The land warped so much that for a short time, the Mississippi river flowed backwards. The region most seriously affected was characterized by raised or sunken lands, fissures, sinks, sand blows, and large landslides that covered an area of 78,000 - 129,000 square kilometers, extending from Cairo, Illinois, to Memphis, Tennessee, and from Crowley's Ridge in northeastern Arkansas to Chickasaw Bluffs, Tennessee. Only one life was lost in falling buildings at New Madrid, but chimneys were toppled and log cabins were thrown down as far distant as Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri, and in many places in Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. The area was sparsely populated at the time accounting for the low loss of life. A quake like that today would be catastrophic.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely plan on telling that story in the future. Can't imagine what kind of havoc that would cause today.

[@brucedeerhaven]

It will happen again! Not if, but when!!

[@lalani888blue]

I'm curious ...What original Indigenous Peoples once inhabited this area?

[@karenwright9123]

@@lalani888blue ,For some interesting reading on New Madrid and the Native Americans ,look up Tecumseh,he was Shawnee,adopted by Blackfish the chief...also the adoptee of Daniel Boone. Tecumseh grew to be an advocate of the Indian tribes and the resistance of the selling of tribal lands,also known among the tribes as a prophet because of his dreams. Other interesting stories, Google: Strange happenings during the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812.

[@mallenjm252]

Wow that is some increadable history facts..How did you discover this information?

[@joanwood9480]

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Only 1 thing missing for me - where is each room in relation to the others? Basically the floor plan. It would just help me picture how the family lived even better than this very nice walk through.

[@peggywright3254]

I love watching these videos of the past. My grandfather (Sherman Dawson) would tell me stories about coming over on the ship when he was a young boy and having a Plantation in either North or South Carolina I can't remember. It was very beautiful but he said he didn't want anything to do with it due to it having slaves and when he was the last heir he gave it to the slaves. I often wish I could have seen it. He settled in Indiana after traveling all over the USA in a train. Thank you 😊

[@margarettickle9659]

That is very interesting. I love history through houses and food.

[@jessiem276]

A lot of slaves were treated like family members.

[@elisemiller13]

@@jessiem276 Just curious, you know this on what authority? That's at best a bold statement, or...a sad justification. Also, think about it, if you were a slave (not an employee) this means you had no choice but to be there on their property...As their lawful property and do the bidding of that family.

[@watthaile2053]

​@@elisemiller13 Try reading some journals and you'll see. You're rather bold and presumptuous yourself.

[@lefthandedRN]

As an African American, I'm not very nostalgic about the great "antebellum" period. But it happened. Slavery happened. And I am so glad that you revealed it all. Thanks. This was so very interesting.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad that you enjoyed it. It's a shame that the old slave quarters no longer exist. I would have really liked to have told more of that part of the story. Unfortunately, not much is known at this particular site.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You know, they couldn't have done it without you.

[@29outlaw]

As a Christian, I am fascinated by Ancient Rome and their engineering marvels, even though many were built by slaves, and many were specifically used as venues to kill Christians. As the host said, it's about the context that people lived in at that time.

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

At Stone Mountain, near Atlanta, has a "plantation" that had been moved along with the slave quarters. I hope it stays put despite the rewriting of history..

[@29outlaw]

@@janeiwasduncan8463 Some are selective about the rewriting of history, and some believe they have a monopoly on victimization.

[@cynthiacronin2794]

Nice to see an old home beautifully preserved. So many are abandoned and rotting away. Cool video!👍😁

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, they have done a good work there.

[@Brucev7]

Especially with the Agenda to destroy anything that stands for any particular cause or group, the Mob doesn't like.

[@tastx3142]

Yes. My great grandparents built a house in the early 1900’s and it was very well maintained even when I was a child in the 1960’s. I just loved it. It still had the original crystal doorknobs that had skeleton keys, claw foot bathtubs, wrap around porch and curved mahogany staircase. They had an orchard and a carriage house. It was sad that they built a one story house across the street as it was a huge 5 bedroom house and my great grandfather would carry my great grandmother up the stairs to clean. The had moved a bed into the dining room and just was too difficult for them to care for. As a new family with six children bought and moved in the original house was being destroyed by lack of care and disrespect to the building. It was very sad for them to watch.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

If you are ever in the area go to the Carnton House in Franklin TN. It is in a nice state and it served as a Civil War hospital during the Civil War. boft.org/carnton

[@mallenjm252]

I agree this is so wonderful! So many beautiful homes were destroyed during the war. And today because of debt greed and too high mortgage rates..Many beautiful homes that should be filled with love and people families..enjoying these homes and maintaining them they are falling apart Across our nation.

[@heathermorton1450]

What a gorgeous property. What a treasure of history. Thank you for all that you do and sharing this with us!

[@aprilabramyan6613]

I work overnight and watch all types of videos. One of yours popped up as suggested and I've been hooked ever since. I LOVE history and your videos make it feel like we're right there learning and seeing these places with you!

[@timt.9935]

This mansion is nicer and more interesting than a lot of homes built today.

[@cbboyle5117]

Old houses are always better than the houses being built in the 21st century!!

[@amandawilliams2266]

New homes lack the detail and character these old homes have

[@sallyintucson]

New homes built since the 1980’s are only built to last 20-30 years, if that long.

[@jimreilly917]

Any home built today. The craftsmanship and artistry that went into these homes has been shunned...and lost...due to build it fast, sell it fast who cares if it lasts.

[@sallyintucson]

@@jimreilly917 Where I live the new homes built in developments today (We call them cookie cutter houses.) are made to last twenty years, if that long.

[@miatolliver3517]

Really enjoyed the tour! Please don't skimp on the 'weird things' that you've heard - they're a part of the history of the place just as much as the furniture because they speak of the people who lived and died there.

[@CLEMANSJK]

Agreed!!!

[@Kat-gx3se]

Speaking of weird things ....right at the end when he is at the front porch, the last rocker....is rocking.....It begins at 22:08

[@CLEMANSJK]

@@Kat-gx3se yesss I said the same thing!

[@darlyswynn5594]

Yes! I think it was Phyllis, saying thanks for stopping by…

[@theparkers6040]

I came to the comments curious if anyone else noticed the rocker. Was this B-roll clip rendered in slo-mo? The slow, measured pace of the rocking is certainly consistent with an "occupied" chair vs. an empty one. Hmmm.....

[@jayp6888]

Imagine having a slave aged 100, 105, 110 and then 115 (and taking care of her rather than she waiting on them). Given her being named and cared for to such a late age I wonder if she wasn’t a relative.

[@lindacraig7561]

I'm so glad I found this program. I really appreciate your tours

[@beckygriggs7827]

That highchair is extraordinary, they don't make em like that anymore and the baby cradle, WOW, so beautiful

[@tashasmith6179]

Absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad to see this house preserved. So many of American historical homes have rotted away or vandalized then torn down. It's sad really. Wished they all could have been saved. Thanks so much for your 🙂

[@fastsetinthewest]

Yankee criminals occupied the house. Why were things not stolen?

[@m.asquino7403]

You should have seen the old pictures of New Bedford, MA waterfront before urban renewal of the 60s

[@m.asquino7403]

@@fastsetinthewest Yankee!

[@uhaveautism6192]

@@m.asquino7403 I scallop out of new Bedford, and I love the place. Past & present.

[@MichelleInnes-pc2zn]

, oops I thought this house was in Colorado

[@sherrismith8874]

I was fortunate to stumble upon this channel today. It's like traveling to historic sites with an intelligent, curious, good-natured buddy, while enjoying good camera-work, drone shots, and editing. Thanks for the fascinating videos! I want to visit this wonderful old home.

[@gabrielleschmidt1435]

Seeing history come to life is so cool! Thanks for sharing!🐱

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Hope that enjoy the rest of the content on this channel!

[@johnshifflette1218]

One of the few homes of the south that wasn't burned to the ground. I've worked 'carpenter' on many colonial homes and DC Federal homes. This is an incredible preservation. Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻

[@cattycorner8]

John Shifflette It always makes me sad when folks re-doing or flipping really old houses destroy the plaster walls.

[@carolynyoung-jenkins7263]

Love these old houses. They're as pretty today as they must have been then. Thank you

[@uhaveautism6192]

@@cattycorner8 come here to new bern, NC. We have lots of houses from the late 1700s and all thru the 1800s, and Tryon palace. It was the capital of North Carolina, before it was moved to Raleigh.

[@cattycorner8]

@@uhaveautism6192 Thanks! I'd love to some day!

[@madmikemackas]

Love your fascination with the civil war and the time period. Beautiful mansion. Love thinking about those days and how they would’ve been.

[@bw4t]

Marvellous house! One note: the piece in the dining room is a buffet, not a sideboard. Buffets and sideboards can look nearly identical, but a sideboard has a shelf on a least one end (usually both) that can pull out to provide more space for serving dishes. Thus the term "sideboard" because the piece quite literally had boards on the side that could be pulled out. I often volunteer in an 1832 house museum that has two nearly identical-looking pieces in the dining room but only one is a sideboard.

[@margarettickle9659]

Thank you for that information.

[@watthaile2053]

Sorry, that's not even close to true. I have lived in pre-civil war houses my entire life, and been an antique dealer for almost 50 years and sold dozens of sideboards. I'm pretty sure I know what a sideboard is, and your definition is incorrect.

[@williambrown6721]

Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. History has always been my best subject that's probably why I failed every other subject. There's nothing like getting up in the morning having my first cup of coffee ☕ and watching your thank you so much!!

[@justme8837]

What a treasure this all is, thank you for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@craigconn7424]

What a gorgeous and magnificent mansion wow. I love how it has so much of the original items that makes it extra special. Thank you for show us all. Take care.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, pretty amazing place. Wish I could've been there when it was decorated for Christmas.

[@marilyn6556]

I really enjoyed touring the home with you! I would have loved to have lived there. Don’t be afraid of talking about the weird things and encounters with ghosts. I love all that!!!

[@pirateshack9315]

i'm wondering who was in the rocking chair on the porch at the end ???

[@lindaarnold5683]

You are do blessed to be able to "travel through history". WE are so blessed because you share your travels with us. My grandmother was born on Island 10 on the Missisdippi.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@kprairiesun]

Love the history and furniture. So much more interesting than an empty house. Beautiful silver ware. Nothing like any old doll to freak guys out! Just looks like an old historic doll to me, lol.

[@susanmccormick6022]

I don't get it.I have a collection of gorgeous china dolls & my son's think they r spooky!!

[@baddestjoanna-michellesmit5578]

Lol I threw soooo many porcelain dolls away wasn't smar of me llool. Now I'm like one would be cool lol.

[@greyangelpilot]

We must preserve historic structures like this, for the many lessons of history, and the small stories they tell in the details such as the graffiti on walls & furniture. Nice tour, keep them coming brother !

[@bradbauman7594]

Hope the so called "woke" people don't watch this. They will probably want it burnt down because it once had slaves working there. Another historical site that is pretty much original and very interesting is the Haile Plantation near Gainesville Fl.

[@lindagolden9892]

@@bradbauman7594 - I’m in the Ocala area, full-time rv’er. Thanks for that historic tidbit in Gainesville. I’ll have to take a drive, verify it’s accessible during this pandemic and check it out. 🦩🌴🦩

[@jessiem276]

​@@bradbauman7594 So true!

[@martelbaran2244]

Preserved sites are an important part of any country, but the enslaved people of USA that were treated so badly in most cases, needs to be told to generations so that it is not lost history. Some of the current members of the USA government want that history to be removed from the schooling, and I disagree entirely, it needs to be told to make sure that type of behaviour never happens again. Critical Race Theory is real and even if the governors or members of government think it should not be taught in schools, it is because they are ashamed of the truth. Yes it was awful and should not be done ever again, but without the truth being taught, they are trying to make is as if it never happened, and that is just wrong

[@donnajackson2907]

I live fairly close to New Madrid.....within 100 miles. I never knew this historical icon was there. Its really nice to have learned of it, it could be a nice day trip. I love things of this era, and this is in such an original state, I think that I would very much enjoy the visit!!😊

[@MegaVthompson]

I LOVED WALKING “WITH YOU” through that beautiful southern gem❣️ Thank you

[@patricialenaburg6553]

Fascinating old home, the joints in the drawers, are something else, along with bedsprings, and other things I have never seen before. Just an amazing, beautiful place. I am from the old outhouse era, remember it well. Dad made a hole for the big people, and one for the tiny people, I was always scared a spider would bite my butt. LOL This was such neat video, I really enjoyed it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! My grandma said that the outhouse was too close in the summer and too far away in the winter.

[@patricialenaburg6553]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Your grandma knew what she was talking about HA!

[@steveclark4291]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I have to agree with both you as I'm from the outhouse era too !

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

@@TheHistoryUnderground And hopefully down wind.

[@cindykq8086]

You were right to be scared. My husband's grandfather was using the outhouse when a black widow bit him on the dangly bits. He didn't die but spent some time in the hospital.

[@anitatucker8812]

Thanks for adding. My great grandfather was captured on Island #10 and sent to Camp Douglas in Illinois. He lived for almost 100 years and died in 1908

[@jennifernunez1443]

That is a beautiful home! And the fact that as you said there is no restrictions of tour their home. I wish that you would have shown the owner’s picture and the pieces the tour guides were showing the furniture. But regardless of that this was a awesome treat! I’m really enjoying your videos!

[@nickiiyoungblood473]

Wow, can you imagine Phillis reaching the age if 115 in 1870? Can you imagine what that woman would have seen over her lifetime? I have to say that I am a little impressed that they were still taking care of her at 115 and she was no longer a slave. I hope that they thought of her as family and took care of her as such. I can only imagine the history that woman would have seen.

[@leemcginnis738]

Thank you for taking us along with you. It's nice to be able to see places that I for one will probably never go. Great to see history saved.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad to share the experience. Thanks for watching!

[@TheTonialadd]

Amazing to find such a well completed house. To have such a house still in existence today is a true treasure. Thanks for taking us with you!

[@kerrydruck9036]

I love history and your channel makes it real for me! Thank you

[@osakarose5612]

Impressed that all the original furniture pieces are still intact and in place! Wow! Thanks for this tour. I will never be able to travel here but now I feel I did a tour. Grateful for people like you who love the history of the South as much as I do.

[@adelinegeesey9512]

Amazing how well kept this house is and the original furnishings are wonderful. Love it!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Right?! I enjoyed it way more than I thought that I would.

[@susanb1511]

The bed springs were so interesting.

[@sherrismith1520]

I couldn’t really see them because the picture was too dark. Please light those kind of items up. I could not see the details on the drawer either. Please use a big bright light. Thank you.

[@annetrenary2875]

This is top of my list of our past history for Missouri. I was born and raised in Liberty, Missouri and I have never heard mention of this Mansion. I plan on making a trip this year (2024) and visit this home. I no longer live in Missouri but New Madrid is about a 2.5 hour drive from Southern Illinois. Thank you so very much for showing and sharing this.

[@geraldinekearney542]

I’m in Australia and I’ve just discovered your channel, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it ❤️❤️❤️🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jeepers251]

you should do a tour of the stonewall jackson house in lexington,va

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. I would love that. Putting that on The Big List as we speak.

[@GlamorganManor]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Robert E Lee is buried there too on the campus of the University he was president of after the war.

[@luv2cook.]

Oooh yes, would like that. I’m in Virginia

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I STILL remember the clock that Mrs Jackson brought with her. It STILL ticks the correct time.

[@sherryrunslate9678]

When things were made to last your lifetime and passed down through family as heirlooms.

[@marshahargis7106]

This was incredible, I have never seen bedsprings like those and the sewing machine was so cool. Thank-you for taking me along with you as I just keep learning more and more from your videos. I wish I would have had a History teacher like you when I was young.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

No kidding.

[@ladysusan8134]

Thank you so much for such a interesting tour. Such a beautiful home and so well preserved. When you can’t visit in person your videos are the very best thing. Love the history of the old south. 🇦🇺

[@beckyduncan3086]

I live near the Tn River and the Cherry Mansion is absolutely beautiful. General Grant used it during the Civil War Shiloh National Park is just right up the river it's a must see

[@alancamper7796]

I am new to your channel and find them fascinating. Thank you for taking the time in making these videos for all who are interested. I travel back East every year to get my fix for civil war battlefields and these videos compliment my journeys. Thanks again and much respect to you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I enjoy sharing the experiences.

[@crazya3466]

As bad as it was there's no comparison to Andersonville, i have a deep respect for these vets. (RIP) thx you HU.. cA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@speedracer1945]

There is a good video about that place here on u tube.

[@jhsams1977]

Thank you JD for all your hard work! Much appreciated!

[@darren6951]

That hardwood floor is gorgeous. I love original hardwood flooring

[@gentrystinnetti8277]

Love the history of the home. We definitely need to persevere homes and it’s history

[@roadlizardcu8664]

Oh my gosh they've got a civil war pie! Got a good chuckle out of that. Fascinating property. Thank you for showing it to us. You be safe and take care.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Yeah, I thought that I'd really found something (lol)

[@virgillisaferguson2806]

Thanks for sharing this historical gem!!

[@ThePayneFamilyFarm2013]

It's absolutely wonderful that the first video I find of you is of my former home, Southeast Missouri. My husband and I moved there, raised our 6 kids and out of the blue he gets transferred to Tennessee, my birthplace. I can't tell you how much I truly miss that area and the mighty river. I get excited like a 5 yro every time we go back for a visit. Thank you for this. I hope you share more. Who knows, I may see my family home on here some day. It's a house the foothills of the Smokeys that has been abandoned since the 1990's. It was built between 1810-1820 and has been in my family the entire time. Daddy has tried to buy it for the past 30 years, to no avail and now it sets empty as nature slowly reclaims it. My father, as well as his father, grandfather, and great grandfather were born (literally) and raised there. It was used by the union army during the Civil War while the family hid my great grandmother in a secret room off the kitchen. It's still there. There are so many wonderful stories about it. If your interested, let me know. I would love to share it with the world. ❤ Again, thank you.

[@kylelouiso144]

Been loving all the civil war related stuff you been doing lately man. You do a really great and professional job with your topics and deserve to be rewarded. I hope you can cover more battlefields like Gettysburg here soon in the near future. Always looking forward for your next episode. Keep up the wonderful work and stay safe out there. God bless you brother!!!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. I have some big plans for Gettysburg 🙂

[@lynnettemcelmurray4597]

This is the first video I’ve seen of his!! Will definitely be watching more.. I have 3 grandfathers in the CW. Several in Rev. War .. and beyond... Love Geneology and History.. Will be great to hopefully learn a bit more!!! Thanks for Sharing to all who wrote and participated in this video!!!

[@susanmccormick6022]

Is it G'burg where the stone tape plays a group of CWS,seen crossing some open ground?There is a kind of mist around their legs & feet.One of them appears to trip & then the recording or whatever it is,begins again.Interesting but sad.

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@lynnettemcelmurray4597 So do I Lynette.My fav periods being the Cousin's War & Richard Plantagenet & the years from the final time of poor Henry,to Edward becoming king & carrying on from there,& the English & American Civil War & the aftermath with Monmouth & The Youngers/James gang.Well,the history of the old west too.How about you?

[@kellibaldwin5821]

Such a beautiful house! Thank you for taking us along. Love your videos! Stay safe!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@valeriepagendarm6376]

Wonderful! Surprised you never mentioned all the gorgeous wallpapers! They are all hand made and would have cost a King’s ransom! Beautiful old house.

[@greengold7648]

@22:07 The rocking chair at the end of the verandah is gently rocking back and forth... There is no wind evidenced by the tree branches in the background not moving at all. Great video! The history and the informative tour are outstanding! Thank you for the upload!

[@davidclarke1508]

Thank you for sharing. I have to tell you that my parents had a civil war shaving kit with a card on the inside that said John Booth with an address in Philadelphia. This John Booth died at Gettysburg and is buried in a cemetery near Philadelphia. The cemetery is under renovation and where he is buried is currently a lot of vegetative growth. I am hoping that is cleared one day, so that I can go back and visit it. This is so cool.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Really? Does it have his signature in it? I wonder what the odds are that it’s the same John Booth? Maybe shoot me an email at [e-mail].

[@gypsywithadayjob4624]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I have been scrolling through the comments to see if anyone had mentioned the John Booth bathroom writing. Booth actually lived in Philadelphia in 1857 and 1858 as a part of the Arch Theater crew. I am wondering if this bit of bathroom writing was more of a show of support for Booth, like the Jeff Davis and Stonewall Jackson in the sewing machine was.

[@carljohnson5396]

When things get open again You should check out Springfield Illinois, lots of Lincoln stuff and a pretty nice museum to the grand army of the republic

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That is definitely in my plans. Thanks!

[@nelliesfarm8473]

A TINY town called Paris , Illinois has Lincoln things also.,like his chair and desk...danville, Illinois has a museum also

[@pamelaoliver8442]

I only had time for the cemetery on my visit. Fair warning, JD...the statue walking into his tomb seems to greet you. Can't wait to see your take on Springfield especially. Thanks for all you do.

[@MiJacFan1]

@@pamelaoliver8442 don't forget to rub his nose for luck!

[@MiJacFan1]

Ah, yes, brings me back to my college days when myself and a few friends would have a massive gap between classes. We would often go sightseeing throughout Springfield and see different museums, etc. Loved Lincoln's home and the Presidential Museum.

[@audeysmith6675]

Really enjoyed your video I like how you included the complete history, our past is our past let's always tell it so we can go forward and live together better. You're awesome !!

[@sueb8044]

A bit of trivia. Up until the 20th century, houses did not have built-in closets in the bedrooms. Clothes were either hung in tall cabinets called wardrobes or simply hung on pegs on the wall. The reason was that homeowners were taxed on the numbers of rooms in the house. A closet was considered a room. Learned a lot of trivia over 50 years by touring historical homes in NY, Newport, Boston, Charleston and many more, plus so many plantations thru out the South including New Orleans. It's always so fascinating to see how people made creative innovations to their homes to make them comfortable regardless of the century they lived in.

[@bradleyc8414]

Thanks for the tour. The condition of the home and furnishings is very impressive. A true time capsule.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so.

[@debragibes4044]

Thanks to the curators for allowing this insightful tour and the narrator for his personalized spin on what he was able to show us,

[@ThePayneFamilyFarm2013]

You got to love how he makes a point of telling you "there's no electricity in this house; we stayed true to the time period," yet there's HVAC throughout every room!!! 😂

[@raymondparsley7442]

Beautifully preserved home... It's nice to see the shoulders we stand on... still standing. Thanks for the tour.

[@samanthafitzgerel4460]

I lived right next door to this beautiful place, for a time & my youngest son always swore that he saw the shadow of a man standing in what would have been the guest room, I believe. I’ve done many many tours there & they never showed the bed springs. To me that was the coolest!!! I believe they had to use this home as a makeshift hospital during the civil war. If you had headed right down Main St. there are two more homes that were also built in the 1800’s. The oldest house in the town is the Hart-Stepp home, situated right beside the levee. The Museum has many fascinating things in it. I loved growing up in New Madrid. Me & 2 of my friends would dress up in beautiful dresses from that time period and help out at the re-enactments they used to have. It was quite fun!!

[@kerrydruck9036]

Love all of your videos! History is so very important! Thank you!

[@darrolong1175]

Been watching your channel regularly..I am a truck driver and look forward to visiting a few of these places when I can. I really appreciate your work and thank you for sharing these videos with us! Thanks to you I can get a better idea of places I want to see and the places I can't get to at least you have taken me there.. 😀 once again thank you! Awesome Channel!

[@DD-hy1nl]

I love your channel, I have always loved old homes. And the history behind it makes it even more interesting. So happy I found your channel, I so enjoy it very much...Thank you for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@jenihansen7201]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF HISTORY. THANK YOU.

[@robertforrest7956]

I remember back in the early 70s my father visited that house while on a business trip. The pics he took really are awesome to see. Thanks for more history on the place and teaching us about the period. 👍👍👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow! How cool. Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@georgiapines7906]

Very cool! Many thanks for sharing the video with us, and many thanks to the tour guides for their information and hospitality.

[@MrsBee-uo2lc]

Absolutely amazing! The bathroom was my favorite room too!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@nelliesfarm8473]

The front entrance is called the foyer...i wonder what she did after her husband died before the House was completed ?

[@sherryrunslate9678]

I have a huge house built in 1970 and the foyer is larger than most homes built currently bedrooms. It actually has two closets!

[@judys.2095]

The back part of the house was completed in the 1840’s so she may have lived there.

[@kellyhenderson9972]

Foy- eh is a French word it translates to hearth actually. Be we’ve adopted it to mean entry way.

[@alecs1196]

Unfortunately, Americans have ALSO adopted miss-pronouncing this French word to be:"Fo-yirr"! (as in"voyeur") instead of Kelly Henderson's correctly noted phonetic of "foy-eh" (or fo-yayy). Even funnier is how I have also found the word "foyer" to be miss-spelled! One descriptor of a historic building read: ["...the "fauxyeur" had a "faux marble" wood-grained floor..."] which I can only guess, attempts to impart that, in this room (which is NOT really the entry hall, but a mere illusion of one?) has a floor that's artfully painted to appear as REAL marble, which was THEN grained to look like its... REAL wood?? 🤣 As for Krissy's query of what Mrs. Hunter did following her husband's passing, you're looking at the answer to that: She went ahead and completed the house. Since she now was the sole proprietor of their large business holdings, and as the house had been designed for her, and to her tastes she was unlikely to move elsewhere. The only difference might be her choice of the original more somber toned wallpapers (in grey shades) for the drawing rooms, as she would have still been "in mourning" by the time she would be receiving her first guests in the completed house? Here is another odd detail co-related to the previous point, that I might guess at (and this was not mentioned by the tour guide?): The "guest" bedroom has an unusually opulent & completely matched suite of furniture, that is quite well fitted to that room (as is her OWN bed that fits "exactly" in between the two windows) I would postulate that due to the length of time it would have taken to produce such a commission, it was likely ordered from the cabinet makers to fit the bedroom from the measured architectural plans long before the house was even started, and that this was in fact intended to be her husband's bedroom, because at that time it was common for the master and the mistress of the house to have separate rooms. (This is where the modern term "master bedroom" originated). As Mr. Hunter did not live long enough to ever occupy it, this chamber was from the outset, always the guest room.

[@mcwatersd]

So happy I was introduced to your channel. I love history and this is the best. It truly is rare to find the original furnishings at times you may see one piece that was found and purchased but to have a house set up as it was originally with most of the furnishings is so awesome. paints a true picture of the life and times right down to the graffiti . Those bed springs are amazing . I have never seen anything like that. I truly enjoyed seeing the faces behind the mansion in the portraits It is too bad the slave quarters were removed . Thank you for the tour. Keep Safe❤ Keep Well❤.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that you found the channel as well! And yes, there are a lot of items in this home that you won't find anywhere else. Definitely a time capsule that they have there.

[@susanmccormick6022]

I wonder if the family is extant.

[@brianburgess3638]

Absolutely beautiful!!! A walk through the past!!! History!!!

[@cherylbowland6074]

Thanks for the great vid! I used to live in NE Missouri and loved touring the old, abandoned homes in our area. Many even had their family plots (graves from the 1700's) a short distance from the house. In regards to the John Booth signature in the bathing room, it could definitely have been John Wilkes Booth who may have stayed there on his way to Texas.... Would be interesting to look up his handwriting for comparison!

[@sharongauss9298]

I live in Maryland. Near me is Tudor Hall, the Booth family home. They have many original pieces owned by the family.

[@jalensexton8712]

I'm so glad I found this channel, your production value is the same of a channel with millions of subs. Keep em coming!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that. Hopefully we can get there someday 🙂

[@TheMeJustMe75]

If someone has never seen the Mississippi River then I highly recommend it. In the summer when I was a kid, my grandparents lived about 20 minutes away from the river. My uncle used to take me fishing on his boat in the river. It's very peaceful to be on the river.

[@wyleewaterwitch]

I'm a St. Louis native and I never knew this incredible property existed just 2 hours away! Now I can't wait to make a trip down there to see this beauty!