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Sorry for leaving you with a cliff hanger yesterday but it will be totally worth it today! So when I left you yesterday we had just arrived to our first stop on the road trip…
…and a lot of you wanted to know what/where this was. This, my friends, is the Mabel Lee Walton House.
The Mabel Lee Walton House was the family home of one of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority’s founders, Mabel Lee Walton, and was purchased by the sorority in 1963 to use as National Headquarters. Since that time another building has been built next door to MLWH that serves as National Headquarters but the MLWH still functions as a home to sisters for retreats and to our Regional Consultants.
I am a proud member of Tri Sigma sorority and have always wanted to see the MLWH. When I realized our first hotel was within an hour or so of the house Libby and I decided we should go. My road trip bests, Libby, is also a member of Tri Sigma.
The house is everything I thought it would be and more! This is the sign that used to sit where that big sign in the pic above is now. It is now in a flower bed in front of MLWH.
The first thing we saw when we entered the house (besides a huge staircase) was this hand carved crest. This is the crest of Sigma Sigma Sigma and was carved by a local artisan and took over 700 hours to complete. It’s just gorgeous!
In the best room we were greeted by this portrait of Mabel Lee Walton herself.
Upstairs we saw a lot of guest rooms and then we saw Mabel Lee Walton’s actual desk. Maybe it’s the writer in me but seeing someone’s original desk intrigues me.
Overall the house is a gorgeous reminder of why I am proud to be a Tri Sigma. It is full of memorabilia from the past and a promise of what is to come in the future. If you are a Tri Sigma I would highly recommend visiting the house.
After leaving MLWH we got back on the road and headed to our first hotel stop and a city I could seriously see myself living in one day…
Love it! I want to visit so badly. I’m strategically trying to plan a future family vacation close enough to Woodstock that I can sneak away for a visit.
How incredible is that house?! I’m so glad you got to experience this- it sounds like it was a great visit! As a former sorority girl myself, AOII, I know how special this would be!
That would have been on my list of places to stop, too! How cool that you got a chance to visit. Love all your photos.
How gorgeous! I love old houses like that. You can feel the history just coming off of them in waves.
That’s so awesome that your hotel was close enough that you got to stop by and take some awesome photos! :D
I was never in a sorority, but this place looks really cool! I think it would be fun to check out, if we get out that way!
What a gorgeous home filled with so much rich history!! I would love to visit if I was in the area!!
I grew up in New Hampshire. We have so many old historic houses like this! I love history and old architecture. This house is gorgeous!
I was a Pi Beta Phi which was the original sorority. In fact, it was still called a fraternity back then. I would LOVE to see the original Pi Phi house in Illinois. This looks like it was such a neat historical adventure. Love it!
Wow what a fun trip. This must have been an amazing experience for you. The photos are amazing.
That hand carved crest is awesome! I was just thinking today that I wanted something with my family crest for my house.
That looks like a great family trip! I never heard of it, but it looks stunning! Maybe next time I am in the area I’ll check it out!
Beautiful house! We had some older houses like this when I was in college. They are so nice when they are kept with the old furniture.
What an awesome place to visit. I was never in a sorority but it must be cool to see a house that so many generations are a part of.
This looks like a beautiful house. I would love to go on a tour. This looks like it was a fun road trip.
I am so happy for you that you were able to see the actual work desk of the founder of your sorority. It must have been such a memorable experience for you!
thanks for the update.. looks like you had a great trip! Love those pics!
The house is lovely! I bet you could just feel the history as you explored every nook and cranny.
What a beautiful house! So glad it was close to your planned travels and you could stop in. The writing desk is special!
What a really cool place to check out! I love your road trip and this destination! Sounds like a lot of fun.
Beautiful house !! Glad you are having a great time on your road trip !!
Sorrority and Fraternity were not allowed in the schhool where I attended so I missed out on this things. Looks like a nice house.
I find it intriguing to see a writer’s desk and I could see why you were intrigued by Mabel Lee Walton’s desk too! I sure am! That’s where so much creativity took place. That’s really awesome! Looks like a charming and beautiful place to visit!
That would be nice for members to visit. I love things like that when a special meaning is attached.
Sounds like your having an amazing time on your road trip. Can’t wait to see your next post.
Sounds like a great visit! And the house is beautiful. I always love to see historical places that have such a great significance. It’s nice that you’re able to take that trip with your bestie.
Wow, the house is amazing! It sounds interesting, I would definitely love to visit it sometimes!
This would’ve been such a neat trip to go on and it sounds like you guys had a great time! Thanks for sharing your awesome photos of your trip!
How fun and exciting! I love visiting historical home museums, too. I will definitely have to keep this one in mind.