914 Division St. Billings, MT 59101 (406) 256-5100 www.mossmansion.com The   Moss   Mansion   Historic   House   Museum   is   located   in   Billings,   Montana   on 914   Division   St.   It   is   a   red-stoned   mansion   built   in   1903   by   Preston   Boyd   Moss (P.B.   Moss)   and   his wife,   Martha   Ursula Woodson        Moss, (Mattie).     Mr.     and Mrs.    Moss    moved to      Billings      from Paris,          Missouri where,   "There   was more   happening   at midnight than at noon in Paris Missouri" History Moss   Mansion   was   inhabited   solely   by   Mr.   and   Mrs.   Moss,   their   six children,   and   3   servants   from   the   time   of   construction   until   1984   at which   time   a   community   effort   was   organized   to   save   the   building. The   house   was   built   for   a   cost   of   $105,000,   compared   to   a   national average   of   $5,000.   It   is   a   three   story   single   family   dwelling   with   a basement   and   an   attached   solarium;   it   has   28   rooms,   and   is   60   feet (18 m) square. It rises 45 feet (14 m) into the air. The   high-end   interior   decoration   include   wood   paneling,   walls   with gold   threading, marble   fireplaces,   columns   and   even   vintage   intercom   system,   all   of which           are original   to   the   home.   In   addition   the   house   is   furnished   with   the   original f   i   x   t   u   r   e   s   ,     furniture,    drapes,    carpets.    There    is    much    of    the    Moss'    children's furniture      that has   been   returned   to   the   home   for   posterity.   Many   pieces   of   eldest d   a   u   g   h   t   e   r     Kula's   furniture,   quilts   and   needlepoint   adorn   the   home   as   well   as   their s    e    c    o    n    d      daughter,   Melville's   harp.   Eldest   Martha's   paintings   and   china   patterns are       featured throughout   much   of   the   main   floor.   Each   room   in   the   house   had   a distinct    theme and                  function designated    by Martha    Moss.    These themes      have been    preserved    and in   some   cases recreated   to   preserve t           h           e             authenticity      of      the home. The      Mansion is       listed       on       the National   Register   of   Historic   Places.   Visitors   can   view   the   residence   during   a one-hour   guided   tour   of   the   lower   floors.   The   top   floor   and   former   ballroom   has been   converted   into   storage   and   office   space   for   year   round   staff.   Seasonal exhibits   are   also   featured.   The   Moss   Mansion   was   designed   by   the   famous New   York   City   architect   Henry   Janeway   Hardenbergh,   who   also   designed   the original   Waldorf-Astoria,   Plaza   Hotel,   The   Dakota,   Williard   Hotel,   and   Copely Hotel.    In    1986,    the    Billings    Preservation    Society,    a    non-profit    organization obtained   proprietorship   of   the   Moss   Mansion   through   a   lease   agreement   with the family and separate option agreement.

The Moss Mansion Historic House Museum

Moss Mansion