Setting: Indoors

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Description: BIRTH 23 Jan 1831 Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont, USA DEATH 4 Jun 1894 Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, USA Harvey Merrick Vaile was the son of Harvey & Elizabeth Sprague Vaile. In his lifetime he was a Lawyer, Journalist, and U.S.Mail Contractor. The Vaile Mansion was completed in 1881, and built by Asa Beebe Cross for Harvey Merrick & Cecilia Sophia Vaile. It cost $100,000 which had gas heat, and electricity. The 31 room mansion includes carrara fireplaces, spectacular painted celings, flushing toilets, a built-in 6,000 gallon water tank, and a 48,000 gallon wine cellar. Mahogany wood was used in the house & the stables. He had a greenhouse with 4 full time gardeners. This mansion is one of the best examples of Second Empire style architecture in the United States. Mr. Vaile passed away June 4, 1894 from a stroke at home. His funeral was at the Vaile Mansion. Here are photos of the Strawberry Festival & Vaile Mansion at

Setting: Indoors

Season: Spring

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Room: Parlor

Description: Interior photo, showing one of the mansion's nine marble fireplaces (east parlor, first floor) (Library of Congress)

Setting: Indoors

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Room: Stairway

Description: Detail of staircase, entrance hall (Library of Congress)