The Mansion is rich in history

The story of Isabelle and Francis was truly one of romance. Francis was in his twenties and Isabelle was barely 15. You must realize that the hardship of the long trek across the plains made the children grow up and accept the challenges of their hard lives. Isabelle was the oldest child and so did much of the work around the house. When Francis met her he was attracted by her sense of humor and her ability around the dance floor was noted by others also, even Brigham Young.

Francis asked her father for her hand in marriage and father was thrilled. Francis was quite a catch and he felt that he would go far. However, Isabelle’s father had remarried and Francis was encouraged by the father to “talk to her”. He was told that Isabelle did all of the work and she could not allow her to leave. Francis brought the step-mother $200.00 and suggested that she buy a maid because “Isabelle was getting married.”

They made a contract with an owner of a wood mill to work-to-own a mill up in the canyon. Having not much money they were forced to borrow a carriage to get to the church and Isabelle cooked a dinner for her “reception” after.

During the next 10 years, Isabelle cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for the workers that lived and worked at the mill and had her 10 children.

Francis promised Isabelle that he would build her the most beautiful home in the valley, and thus the “Mansion” was born in the heart of Isabelle.

In the early 1900’s the dress and style of the day was still Victorian here at the “Mansion”. The dinner parties were galas with much excitement and of course much preparation for those invited. Dignitaries, famous personalities and friends alike mingled together to share an evening of anticipation and pleasure. Women dressed in the style of the day glided through the “Mansion” with grace and enchantment and the men with their secrecy and romance always drew the evening into one of fascination.

In the month of October we recreate the atmosphere and mystery of those wonderful evenings with our “Mystery Dinners”. At a time when costumes and magic abound we invite you to gather together with 12-14 friends and enjoy a wonderful evening with us at the “Mansion”.
All will receive a formal invitation with the profile of your character well in advance so you can dress in character. You are the invited guests and so are the suspects in the murder investigation that takes place in the 2 hour adventure. A full 5 course dinner is served and as you delve into the investigation you also find you just might have ”Done It” yourself.
At the end of the evening two awards are given, one to the “Best Actor/Actress” and one to the “Best Costume”, so we encourage you to really play your part.

In July the Horton family from Salt Lake had a family reunion here with us at the “Mansion”. John and Anne had a wonderful adventure planned for each day and topped it off with the “Mystery Dinner” as the final big event of their stay. I am sure that they won’t mind if I tell you that they were all “HAMS”, and it was difficult to decide the awards at the end.

It was a fun evening we will all remember. What a wonderful way to really get to know your relatives.

The Mystery Dinners can be organized for any big event that you want to remember - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or just the get-togethers that we can really reminisce about for years to come.

Watch for the specials to come for the month of October (Mystery Dinner & any room - $200.00 per couple Monday through Thursday) and remember that we need at least a 3 weeks in advance to set it all up for you and your guests.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE “MANSION”!

Judy Savage, Innkeeper
The Armstrong Mansion - Salt Lake City, Utah