Meux Home Museum

Modern day-trippers wander the wings of this genteel manor stuffed with Victorian-era artifacts.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Because the house was bought by the city of Fresno and practically dismantled in the 1970s, much of the items on display are actually donations from volunteers.

One of Fresno's oldest homes, this Victorian-era residence was commissioned by Dr. Thomas Richard Meux, an ex-Confederate soldier. Every room of Meux's home is filled with antique furniture, draperies, and clothing, adding to the feel of a place that's frozen in time.

The Best
To see the mansion at its peak, visitors should wait until early winter to catch the annual theme decoration, with something for history buffs and casual visitors. Running from the last weekend of November through December, the home's interior has a different look and feel each year. Future themes will include Old World artisans working their trades in different rooms.

The Rest
The home's master bedroom is a remarkable sight, protruding into the front yard as an octagon-shaped turret. Touring guests will find loads of antiquities and furnishings, among them Dr. Meux's original Confederate uniform. A stop by the museum's gift shop reveals its former identity as a carriage house.