Neely Mansion

The Neely Mansion, is a Victorian-style residence built in 1894. It located near the eastern edge of Auburn, although it is actually located in unincorporated King County, Washington in the census-designated location Lake Morton-Berrydale, Washington. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington State Heritage Register.From the 1950s to the 1970s the building deteriorated severely, until local citizens moved to save and restore the building. During the initial restoration period, the mansion was used for a haunted house staffed by the drama department of Auburn High School (the only high school in Auburn at the time). That usage ceased when significant progress was made in restoring the mansion to its original condition. The mansion is now owned by a volunteer historical society.DesignThe Mansion is two-story clapboard with a square plan. The front doorway is centered between two windows with three widows the other three sides. All have an entablature and decorated surrounds. Sawn scrollwork is placed below each lintel. A decorative corbel table separates the first and second floors. There are side porches on the ground level that run the length of the house. The front porch has a second floor balcony covered by a gable. The interior of the boxed, pedimented gable cornice is filled with diamond pattern shingles with a central round window.InteriorThe house has high ceilings and spacious rooms. The first floor is the kitchen, dining room, parlor, and master bedroom. The second floor has more bedrooms. The lower 5ft of the walls in the house are covered with maple paneling. The upper portion is white plaster. Lighting in the house was supplied by candles and oil chandeliers which were hung from the ceiling and could be raised and lowered by hand. Before World War II electricity was added, and in 1948 it was reshingled, a new foundation provided, and a concrete base added to the front porch.