Dr. Seelye's

On December 26, 1906, Mrs. A.B. Seelye invited the public to enjoy the beauty and wonder of her Mystery House, 25 rooms decorated fully in Christmas spirit.  On December 19-21, Terry Tietjens will celebrate the 108th Christmas Celebration at the mansion reliving the 1906 event, inviting the public once again to experience the magic and wonder of the Seelye Christmas Gala.  

 

Join us as we experience the event with professional musicians Michael and Jill Jank playing Violin and Piano filling the house with Christmas carols from the era.  We will celebrate the event with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments and experience all the rooms as they are decorated, and our helpers will tell the incredible story of the Seelye family.    

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To help relive the event, we will go back to the Abilene Daily Chronicle descring the house in the December 28, 1906 edition of the paper,  

 

"One of the most brilliant and successful social functions ever given in Abilene was carried out perfectly last evening when Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Seelye and Miss Edith Worley entertained at the beautiful new Seelye home on North Buckeye in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Edson of Storm Lake, Iowa.  The hours were from 7 o’clock to 11 and during that time over three hundred guests enjoyed an evening of unalloyed pleasure and admired a home that is second to none in Kansas.

                The guests were received in the parlor by Dr. and Mrs. Seelye, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Edson, Miss Edith Worley and Mr. J.L. Worley.  Mrs. Seelye was gowned in a handsome creation of hand embroidered white tissue over silk trimmed with laces and velvet.  Mrs. Edson wore white with point lace trimmings.  Miss Worley was dressed in gray silk organdie over lavender silk.  All of the ladies wore pink roses in their hair. 

                Exquisite decorations were seen everywhere throughout the spacious home.  In the parlor, pink roses blended with the soft shades off the gold and white furniture while the magnificent Pier glass mirror with its miniature electric lights completed the lovely effect.  The library and hall were decorated with red roses, red candles and shades, ferns and bunches of mistletoe tied with red ribbon.  Holly wreaths and mistletoe were used in the dance hall.  As elegant as were the decorations all over the house, it was the dining room that presented the picture of greatest beauty.  The table as the entire room, in green and red.  In the center was a bouquet of Poinsettias, a California Christmas flower while ribbons of smilax with bows of red ribbons, red candles and shades surrounded the graceful California flower.  Smilax hung from the brass electrolier, red carnations and American beauty roses were on the buffet and holly wreaths and Christmas bells hung from the ceiling.  Potted plants and ferns adorned the winding staircase leading to the bowling alley.  Elaborate refreshments were served to the guests in the dining room. 

                Mesdames C. L Hubbard, J.M. Gleissner, J. A. Frack, H.C. Litts, H.M. Howard, F.M. Worley, C.S. Crooks and H. E. Matteson of Kansas City acted as hostesses.  Miss Elizabeth Haston and Miss Reba Worley were at the door and Miss Bea Nixon and Miss Elva Lower presided at the punch bowl.  Misses Helen and Marion Seelye, dressed in dainty white liberty silk accordion pleated with lace trimmings, were assisted by Otto Smith and Dean Ackers in escorting the guests to their rooms. 

                Dancing was enjoyed in the Dance hall and many of the guests spent most of the evening in this pleasant way.  The fine Ft. Riley orchestra under the direction of Conductor McGonigal was stationed on the second floor and dispersed sweet music during the evening. 

                Last evening’s reception was the first opportunity many Abilene people had of seeing the elegant new home of Dr. Seelye and his family and the words of admiration expressed by everyone and the numerous compliments showered upon Dr. and Mrs. Seelye clearly showed that the residents of the town fully appreciated having so splendid a residence in our city.  No fault in the slightest particular can be found with any part of the imposing residence.  Most excellent taste has been used not only in the building of the home, but also in the furnishing.  Everything that was necessary to make it complete has been provided and the sections have been made with extraordinary good judgment. 

                There are twenty-five rooms in the house and all are furnished harmoniously.  The reception hall is large and very homelike with its immense inlaid fireplace, beamed ceiling and superb electrolier.  The woodwork is white with mahogany doors and panels.  The ceiling and walls are frescoed in water color.  The parlor is in white and gold, with frescoed ceiling and embossed paper on the walls.  Mahogany woodwork is used in the library and with the massive mahogany furniture is very elegant looking.  The living room and den are in golden oak.  The ceilings of all the rooms on the first floor are frescoed and rich paper adorns the walls.  In the dining room, golden oak paneled woodwork has been used on the walls.  The ceiling is beamed with the same kind of wood and frescoed between the beams.  The woodwork on the second floor is white with mahogany doors.  Each room on the second floor has been specially decorated and they harmonize splendidly.  The dance hall with a fine pine floor is on the third floor.  It has ample room to accommodate a good sized crowd and make an ideal place for dancing.  Cosy bedrooms lead off from the dance hall.  A bowling alley has been installed in the basement.  Besides these there are a commodious kitchen, butler’s pantry, closets, three bathrooms, sewing room, laundry room, and furnace room, all equipped with the same exceptional care that characterizes the more pretentious rooms.  One of the richest features of the home is the broad and beautiful staircase that winds easily and gracefully from the reception hall to the dance hall.  About 200 electric lights are used throughout the house with brilliant effect and a private telephone exchange puts all parts of the residence in close connection.  Hardwood floors are in every room. 

                Such a home is a credit to any city and Abilene is proud that it can claim a citizen public-spirited enough to erect so fine a residence.  It is undoubtedly a great joy and comfort to its builder and his family but it was also the source of great enjoyment and happiness to everyone who was fortunate enough to be present last evening. "