Driving along Duke Road in Metchosin, thereB次元官网网址檚 one home that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Amidst the many acreages that dot the road sits Gracefield Manor. Overlooking the Olympic Mountains and surrounded by a sea of grass, its pristine white exterior, towering pillars and green window covers catch the eyes of many people as they walk or drive past it.
B次元官网网址淎s one person said, itB次元官网网址檚 a lily in a field,B次元官网网址� owner Shirley Wilde said.
But little may be known about Gracefield Manor. ThereB次元官网网址檚 been many tales told over the years about the mansion, including that it was once haunted B次元官网网址� a thought that still brings a smile to WildeB次元官网网址檚 face.
Now, Wilde is hoping to set the record straight with a new book about the Metchosin landmark.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a history book,B次元官网网址� said the 84-year-old. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so much misinformation about this place B次元官网网址� It is a curiosity.B次元官网网址�
The roughly 140-page book includes the long and storied past of Gracefield Manor and those who once lived there.
The mansion was originally built in 1944 by Chicago socialite Robert Grace, the great grandson of a well-known building contractor, who lived there with his wife, Rita.
The home contains five bedrooms, five fireplaces, four bathrooms, a finished servants quarters and an exotic bar in the basement. The Graces lived and died in the home, and Wilde purchased the property, house and some of its contents from Mrs. GraceB次元官网网址檚 estate in March 1991.
But years of neglect had left the house weather-worn and the yard had become overgrown and overshadowed the house. Shortly after, Wilde started major renovations on the home to restore it to its natural beauty.
She hired Metchosin contractor David Dziadyk, who completed renovations to the inside of the home in just five weeks.
After roughly six more weeks, the outside was revived as well.
For roughly eight years, Wilde operated a bed and breakfast in the manor. Fast forward nearly three decades and people continue to ask her questions about the mansion.
B次元官网网址淢y friends and family have been pestering me from the beginning to do a book on the Graces,B次元官网网址� said Wilde, adding she has no intentions of selling the 11-acre property any time soon.
B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 asking about the history of the house, itB次元官网网址檚 so out of place B次元官网网址� Some of the questions are who built the house? Where did they come from? WhatB次元官网网址檚 the rest of the story on those people?B次元官网网址�
For the last year and a half, Wilde, along with the help of her granddaughter, Rebecca, has been sifting through documents in the home that belonged to the Graces, in hopes of shedding light on the wealthy Metchosin family.
The book is currently in the final stages of proofing and is expected to be released in the next two to three weeks. Wilde hopes to print 100 copies of the book through Island Blue Print Co. Ltd. as part of a trial run.
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