Victorian Mansion
- Background Information
Built in 1896 by “Gorilla Pants” manufacturer Clay Faulkner, this
10,000 sq. ft. Victorian mansion has been called “Tennessee’s Biltmore”
by PBS. Humorous tales from the past … food like Grandma used to
make … an 1890s department store … and a friendly ghost: they all add
up to special entertainment and a meal your folks will never forget!
In 1896, entrepreneur Clay
Faulkner promised his
wife Mary he’d build her “the
finest mansion in the region” if
she would move next to their
woolen mill a couple of miles
from downtown McMinnville.
Mary agreed, and Faulkner
supervised construction as
enthusiastically as he promoted
the mills’ Gorilla Pants (so
strong even a gorilla couldn’t
tear them apart) and mineral
water at the Faulkner Springs
Hotel, the “ideal health and
pleasure resort” he would
eventually open down the road.
Faulkner’s solid brick,
10,000-sq.-ft. mansion had all
the “modern conveniences”
when it was built — indoor
plumbing, electric lights,
central heat, and more.
Today, the National-Trustaward-winning property is
filled with museum-quality
Victorian antiques. And some say it’s presided
over by a friendly ghost —
perhaps the proud builder
himself.
Shows at the Mansion
- Vaudeville-Style History Show - Lots of amusing stories about the mansion and
the people whose lives it touched from our fun-loving “Victorian Gentleman.”
The entertainment is served up along with a delicious meal while your folks are seated
comfortably in our Victorian Carriage House dining room. Then they tour the mansion at
their own pace, enjoying its sweeping staircase, exquisite woodwork, rich colors and
museum-quality antiques.
- Murder at the Mansion - The most popular show; group members are the real stars of this original interactive murder mystery play.
- Ghost at the Mansion -
Designed to tickle the funny bone as well as tingle the spine, this interactive play
combines stories of the real “spirits” at Falcon Rest with a light-hearted ghost convention… where the audience members are the ghosts! ! The play ends with a special surprise twist and
is followed by a “spooktacular” buffet feast and mansion tour.
Shop
- Victorian Treasures
Falcon Rest's Victorian Gift Shop is the perfect shop for everyone who loves things elegant, old-fashioned or out-of-the-ordinary -- thousands of items fit for an 1890s mansion that you won't find anywhere else!
Dine
- Victorian Tea Room
Lunches offered daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
with or without tour. No reservations required.
- Victorian Carriage House
Three adjoining dining rooms, totaling 2,000 square feet, boasting white marble tiled floors, crystal chandeliers, plaster moulding, a sparking fountain and antique grand player piano ...!
Make reservations for a delicious dinner in the romantic atmosphere of the Victorian Carriage House dining room. Dinner is served every Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m.
Visit the official FalconRest website
