Come tour the Richards DAR House Museum! This magnificently decorated, 1860's Italianate townhouse is located in Mobile, AL's downtown Historical District.
Mobile is home to a number of historic house museums that you can visit and tour - and the Richards DAR House is one of them.
The Richards DAR House dates to 1860. Steamboat Captain Charles Richards built the lush and sizeable home for his large family. The house is located in Mobile’s oldest neighborhood, De Tonti Square and considered one of the city's finest examples of the Italianate style.
The 10,000 square foot dream home includes a traditional brick courtyard and is surrounded by formal gardens. The house is famous for its expansive, cast-iron lace facade. The intricate metalwork wraps the front porch, gallery and sidewalk with depictions of the four seasons.
Inside, the museum has been furnished with period antiques and silver bell pulls for calling the servants. The original bronze chandeliers are intricately detailed with mythological figures and etched glass globes. The cantilever staircase and carved, Carrera Marble, cathedral arch fireplaces are stunning.
Other popular details of this beautiful home include a hand-carved mahogany staircase and ruby-red stained Bohemian glass framing the door. While most of the furnishings in the Richards DAR House are not original, they are real antiques, dating dating from 1870 and earlier. The only original piece of furniture in the house is the Weber box grand piano in the entryway.
DAR stands for "Daughters of the American Revolution." The Richards DAR House Museum has been under the care of Mobile's DAR chapters since 1973. Richards DAR House tours include a complimentary serving of cookies and tea.
The museum is also the scene of special events throughout the year - including Christmas!
