How this Victorian mansion in 'terrible shape' was converted into a 'beautiful' space

The Victorian marvel now known as Riverview at Hobson Grove Historic House Museum was once the home of Atwood Gaines Hobson, a Warren County Kentucky clerk of court, a banker, and a soldier.

"It actually took him a lot longer to build the house than he anticipated," museum executive director Brooke Peterson told The Courier Journal. Construction began in 1857, but with the upheaval of the Civil War, the house wasn't complete until 1872, she says.

Take a step back in time at this historic home in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

A house in disrepair

After Hobson's son George Atwood left the house for a nursing home in 1950, the property went through a series of tenants and fell into disrepair.

"The house was in terrible shape and needed extensive restoration to become a museum," Peterson explained.

It wasn't until 1972 that the museum opened. One of the most impressive aspects of the home's repair was the ceiling in the formal parlor, completed by Cincinnati-based restoration artist Kristina Lemmon.

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"(It's) as close to new and as true to 1872 as you can get," Peterson said of the intricately decorated ceiling, which boasts a plethora of florals in detailed designs with numerous colors. "Kristina tapped on every square inch of the ceiling because it was kind of like a broken eggshell — it was really fragile."

Each part that didn't have to be replastered did require a hand-injected bonding solution. Lemmon applied the bonding in more than 300 places and completed the project in about four months.

Another part of the restoration that is still a work in progress is getting all the windows fully functional.

"All the windows were painted shut — and that's a problem because the water doesn't have anywhere to go and it starts to rot your wood," Peterson said. "We're very fortunate (to) have a gentleman here in town who works on historic doors and windows. So, we're getting sponsorships to (get) each of our windows … back in working order."

A different way to dine

Peterson explains that nearly everything in the dining room belonged to the Hobson family, and the pieces offer insight as to how meals were once consumed. Each dinner plate has a bone receiver attached, and the napkin rings are numbered to ensure each member of the family used the same napkin during each meal of the day.

"I always like to talk about the servants in the dining room because they were at work all the time," Peterson added. "They'd get here before light, and they'd leave after it was dark. Everything is beautiful and graceful on the surface, but that's because there was a lot of work going on behind the scenes."

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An example of this can be seen in the left corner of the dining room. Behind a hand-painted screen is a wooden table that the servants would use for prep and cleaning.

"(The) little worktable (is) where everything would be plated and served," Peterson explained. "(It's also) where all of the dishes would be washed after because they were too expensive to risk (being carried) up and down those basement stairs to the kitchen. … They were doing all of this without electricity and any sort of modern convenience, so I always think about (the servants) in the dining room."

A practical feature with a view

Without electricity, homes built in the 1800s had to be constructed with cooling and heating considerations in mind. Riverview's windows, Peterson explains, helped keep the house cool during hot summer months.

"You can see that all the windows and doors are directly across from each other to allow for cross breezes," she said. "And all of that hot air would get sucked up and out of the open windows of the cupola. (It) sort of acted like an attic fan to keep them a little more comfortable."

Though the name "Riverview" came from the fact that the Barren River was once clearly visible from the main bedroom on the second floor, the tiny cupola space also offers sweeping views of the city. It is one of the most unique aspects of the house, and something Peterson like to point out to guests during tours.

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"I think the most gratifying part of my job is when we have tours — especially (with) multiple generations," she said. "(I like seeing) the conversation that it sparks … and just seeing how far we've come — what parts are good and what parts are bad as we move forward. I think it's important to develop critical thinking skills, and coming to places like this really helps with that and makes you a more well-rounded person."

Tax-deductible sponsorships are available to help with the restoration of the windows in Riverview at Hobson Grove. They are $1,300 for a full window and $650 for a half window, which aids in getting the windows weatherproof and fully operational.

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

nuts & bolts

Owner: The city of Bowling Green owns the home and its surrounding land. The Riverview at Hobson Grove board of directors owns the contents of the property.

Home: This is an 8-room, 5,000-square-foot, Victorian home in Bowling Green that was built in 1872.

Distinctive elements: Cupola; basement; listed in the National Register of Historic Places; official site of the Civil War Discovery Trail.

Applause! Applause! Restoration artist Kristina Lemmon, and plaster expert Wullenweber & Sons Plastering.

Tours at Riverview at Hobson Grove

WHAT: Riverview at Hobson Grove is open from the first Tuesday in March through the second Saturday in December.

WHEN: Tours are offered at the top of the hour Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

COST: Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for children; $10 for seniors, veterans, and active military; and free for students in the Bowling Green & Warren County School Districts.

MORE INFORMATION: bgky.org/riverview

Events at Riverview at Hobson Grove

WHAT: Riverview at Hobson Grove hosts several public and private events throughout the year. The next event is Bourbon and Bow Ties, hosted by Friends of Riverview

WHEN: Friday, April 21

MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com/e/bourbon-bow-ties-tickets or call 270-843-5565

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Inside Riverview at Hobson Grove Historic House Museum in Bowling Green