Welcome to

Drake Hall

at

Bradley Gardens

 
 

The Elegance Of the gilded age

Whew! We finally got all of the upright yew hedge planted
Whew! We finally got all of the upright yew hedge planted
Even at night, the breakfast room still looks cheery
Even at night, the breakfast room still looks cheery
This weekend we planted a row of evergreen upright yews to create a privacy screen for the English garden and event lawn
This weekend we planted a row of evergreen upright yews to create a privacy screen for the English garden and event lawn
Sun shining brightly in the dining room this morning
Sun shining brightly in the dining room this morning
The Dining Room
Closeup of the original ornate cast iron fireplace cover in the second floor sitting room.
Closeup of the original ornate cast iron fireplace cover in the second floor sitting room.
A peek into the TV den from the second floor bedroom hall
A peek into the TV den from the second floor bedroom hall
A passing thunderstorm just dumped a bunch of pea-sized hail. Hope all the plants will be ok ⛈️
View of the music salon from the reception hall
View of the music salon from the reception hall
Early this morning at around 3:55 am I was awakened by what sounded like Niagara Falls. It took me a few seconds to gain my senses to realize it was a strong gust of wind blowing through the trees outside. Then I saw two huge electrical explosions from a block over that must have been someone’s tree branch falling across power lines causing the transformers to explode. Luckily our powered on. Then I hear the tornado sirens blasting so I jump out of bed and check to make sure everything is ok. The powerful storm lasted for an hour and then everything went suddenly quiet and calm, so I went back to bed.
Cat napping in the sun parlor
Cat napping in the sun parlor
The porte cochére entry vestibule looking into the stair hall beyond
The porte cochére entry vestibule looking into the stair hall beyond
Ascending the mahogany staircase.
Ascending the mahogany staircase.
This pink Rose of Sharon cutting I did just over two weeks ago has already formed roots!
This pink Rose of Sharon cutting I did just over two weeks ago has already formed roots!
Midsummer pollinator and newly planted English rose garden update
One of my favorite stained glass lamps
One of my favorite stained glass lamps
Detail of the mahogany paneling and wrought iron radiator grate cover for the built in suitors bench at the base of the stairs.
Detail of the mahogany paneling and wrought iron radiator grate cover for the built in suitors bench at the base of the stairs.
While digging in the rose garden, I found a few broken white glazed porcelain tiles and wondered where they might have come from. I looked all over the house and finally found a match in the second floor’s main bathroom. None of these thinner w
While digging in the rose garden, I found a few broken white glazed porcelain tiles and wondered where they might have come from. I looked all over the house and finally found a match in the second floor’s main bathroom. None of these thinner wall tiles is missing, so the broken tiles I found buried a foot down in the rose garden must have been dumped there as rejects from during the original construction of the house in 1909..
Doorbell in the rear service stairs. Looks to be from the 1940s
Doorbell in the rear service stairs. Looks to be from the 1940s
Time just seems to stand still in the 1909 music salon
 
 
 

the romance of a bygone era

A Gilded Age time capsule of Impeccable design and craftsmanship

Learn more about Drake Hall

 

Become a Supporter Of historic preservation

Historical sites and architectural wonders are important connections to our past, and without your help these stories could easily be lost to time and progress. Preserving important examples of architecture like Drake Hall is not solely about upkeep; it is about honoring our shared heritage and ensuring that the beauty and craftsmanship encapsulated in these grand homes remain a source of valued learning and inspiration for generations to come.

 

Drake Hall

an arts and crafts

architectural masterpiece