The Main House, in the about the 1940s.
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Livermore History - Ravenswood |
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Historical Photos Page 1: The Property & Description Page 2: Cottage & Carriage Barn Page 3: Main House Page 4: Winery and Vineyard Workers Page 5: Family Portraits Ravenswood Events Calendar |
Current Photos Page 1: Outside views of the cottage and house Page 2: Inside the cottage Page 3: Inside the cottage, continued Page 4: Inside the house Page 5: The Carriage Barn and Winery Page 6: Ravenswood Ice Cream Social Page 7: Docents on Niles Canyon Railway Page 8: Victorian Storybook Tea Page 9: Ice Cream Social 2005 Page 10: Ice Cream Social 2005: Victorian Games Page 11: Ravenswood Victorian Yuletide |
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The Main House
The Main House was built in 1891 at a cost of $8,000 and provided expanded space for the Buckley’s frequent entertaining. The Main House appears to be two-story, but in fact has only one floor, with a high attic and a Billiard Room in the basement. It is Queen Anne style, with Eastlake influence, is approximately 50 by 80 feet, and contains two main rooms -- the Drawing Room and the oak-paneled Dining Room -- a butlers pantry, kitchen, and a bath and servant's room.
In the Drawing Room is an enlargement of the only known photograph of the interior of Ravenswood (see below). Published in January, 1896 by the Livermore Herald, it shows the opulence and clutter that was fashionable in the last years of the 19th century. The carpeting was teal blue and gold, to match the window seat cushions, and draperies were gold and maroon. As a guest of the Buckleys, you could sink into an over-stuffed, tasseled Turkish Chair and put up your feet on a fur-covered footstool, while one of the house waiters brought your refreshments. Victorian luxury!
Downstairs is the Billiard Room, which was finished in the fall of 1896. It originally contained the Boss' Brunswick billiard table. During the time the Redemptorist Fathers lived here, this room was used as a library.
The Main House, in the about the 1940s.
Front view of the Main House, October, 1978
The Drawing Room of the Main House. This is the only known
photo of the interior when the Buckleys resided there. It was in the 1896
Midwinter Edition of the Livermore Herald, where many excellent Livermore photos
originated. At the far left a portion of the dining room can be seen.
It shows the opulence and clutter that was fashionable in the last years of the 19th century. The carpeting was teal blue and gold, to match the window seat cushions, and draperies were gold and maroon. As a guest of the Buckleys, you could sink into an over-stuffed, tasseled Turkish Chair and put up your feet on a fur-covered footstool, while one of the house waiters brought your refreshments. Victorian luxury!
One of the chandeliers from the main building, of brass and
cloisonne.
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The Book Early Livermore contains 128 pages of Livermore Historical photos and commentary. It is available for 19.99 plus tax at the Livermore Heritage Guild History Center at the Carnegie Building. Click here for more information |
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