We had made arrangements to meet our interpreter, Kandice Zemar, an Exxon oil intern, working part time for the Billings Preservation Society, who manage the Mansion. The Moss Mansion For the next hour she explained the details of this marvelous architecture, and the personalities that shaped it. The Mansion is somewhat unusual in that there are a multitude of styles and themes running through it. The entranceway is spectacular, with a Moorish hall displaying a Saracenic arch created from the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The three Moorish horseshoe arches rest on four mahogany columns.

The Moss Mansion We were taken through the main hall, which was used as a music room, to the dining room where I snapped a picture of Kandice. This room is done lavishly in wood from ceiling to floor which is covered with an Indian rug. A china cabinet and sideboard take up the entire west wall.

In contrast to these themes, are the two attached parlors, separated by two Corinthian columns. The Moss Mansion These spectacular rooms are created in Louis XVI style with nothing spared. The wall panels are of rose colored woven damask silk, the ceiling is of hand painted frescoes depicting fields of flowers. The Moss Mansion The rug was made in Aubusson France and was woven from designs submitted by Mattie.

Off from both the family room and the dining room is a 15 by 25 foot conservatory which is heated with hot water. The conservatory floor is a mosaic tile. The family maintained a large assortment of flowers and other plants. Some of the plants on display today, are the original plants thatThe Moss Mansion were started by Mrs. Moss. The center room of the second floor was intended as billiard room, though no table was ever put in place.

 Off this room were the many bedrooms for the children, along with the apartment designed for Mattie’s parents. A third floor contained rooms for the three servants that attended the family. In reviewing the house, one must take notice of the surrounding lawns and gardens blooming with an assortment of fragrant and colorful flowers. All in all, a very enjoyable afternoon.


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