Elegant era lives at Victorian Wheeling

WHEELING, W.Va. -- "Paint me a picture of long ago," begs an old country song.
Here's a place where you can step into that picture of long ago, walk around and even have a cup of tea.
Victorian Wheeling, saved through the efforts of the Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation, includes five late 19th-century homes that represent the spirit of the Victorian Age. Costumed docents lead tours of the houses, present lectures and preside at Victorian high teas, dinners and wedding or bridal showers.
Tours begin in the gift shop on the first floor of the three-story George Eckhart house, built in Queen Anne Eclectic Victorian style in 1891-92.
During construction, the Wheeling Intelligencer declared it was "one of the residential building achievements of the year."
The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and also serves as a residence for the gift shop owners, who graciously allow tours through most of the house.
Still occupied
The charm of the Eckhart house is in the fact that somebody really does live there, luxuriating in the 10-foot ceilings while dealing with the curious lack of closets. Someone enjoys the delicate stained glass windows, and at the same time puts up with cold winter drafts.
The house also includes five double carved wooden mantles, four sets of 10-foot pocket doors, ornamental fretwork, inlaid hardwood floors and hand-painted ceilings.
In the upstairs parlor, visitors can gather for presentations and discussions on the history of Wheeling and the Victorian Age, led by area historians.
How often did ladies change their clothes? What's the purpose of a nanny door? Where did the maids sleep and what were their duties? What did men talk about when left to their port and cigars? The past comes alive in the splendor of the Eckhart House.
Touring through four nearby houses on Main Street, the feeling of bygone elegance continues.
Hess, Stifel houses
The Christian Hess house was built in the Centennial year 1876 in French Renaissance style to mirror the architecture at the White House.
Window lintels and wrought iron railings and window boxes give the outside its style.
Inside, Victorian Era furniture and carpets are complemented by art plaster and faux-finished woodwork and mantel pieces.
Upstairs, there is a display of period wedding dresses.
The George Stifel house represents the high style of the Second Empire Era, with a front door in classical Eastlake style.
Built in 1884 with mansard roofs and third-floor dormers, the house has spectacular views of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River.
There are four hand-painted murals, and classical art plaster.
It is in this house that high tea, dinners and showers are held using Victorian china and silver.
List house
At 821 Main Street, the John List house was built for him by his father, Henry List, in 1893.
This house departs from classical Victorian architecture and was considered years ahead of its time.
The house was in poor shape when it was acquired by the Landmarks Foundation and members considered tearing it down, but one detail saved it. A colored art glass skylight, possibly built by Tiffany, allows a flood of light to brighten the center of the house. The skylight is built into the floor on the third level, with a clear skylight above, and is protected only by a waist-high railing. Servants' bedrooms surround it.
Hazlett house
Next door is the Jessie List Hazlett house, built by Henry List for his daughter and her husband, Edward Hazlett, in 1892. This house was also ahead of its time in design, and features a German fireplace inglenook and ceramic tile.
The two houses built by Henry List, if built today, would cost more than $5 million.
Whether you see all the houses on a tour, choose a tea party in the Stifel house or just visit the gift shop at the Eckhart house, it's easy to get caught up in the slow pace of Victorian ambience.