House Tour: 1897 Victorian Mansion

We are so excited to share this treasure with you! The Pillow Thompson House 1897 is an amazing example of Victorian Queen Anne design.

This exquisite home is one of the finest examples of George Barber architecture in Arkansas. The plans were purchased from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, but the materials were sourced from the builders own lumber mills. The materials inside are gorgeous examples of Arkansas pine, oak and poplar. The transoms over the pocket doors have always contained burled wood, never glass.

This home stayed in the Thompson family until it was donated to the University of Arkansas Community College of Phillips county. The historic home has undergone an extensive restoration thanks to generous donations from donors, and now serves as a community event center and is open for tours Wednesday-Saturday from 10-4.

[teresawright]

This house is gorgeous! Love the Queen Anne style. It is utterly amazing how they crafted these homes back in the day. They had style back then and things were meant to stand the test of time. Today's style is ordinary and boring. Give me the old days and an eye for detail any day over the modern styling! Love the show!

[calicocritterscrafts]

Sadly, I doubt $1.2 million would get you anywhere close to the level of craftsmanship and quality materials that makes this house the stunner that it is. What an absolute GEM!!!💎

[Gerry-ce]

Finally, a beautiful house with rooms, hallways, and doors. Not just another warehouse.

[sylviacarlson]

Raymond did an informative tour of this house and brought up things about that specific time I wouldn't have known. Thank you Mr. Willy.

[vickispittler]

I truly have been born in the wrong Era. My heart leaps every time I see something Victorian. I love all the videos you guys post and love all the restoration you do on your own houses. This house is truly where my spirit originated. Thank you again. Hope to see many more❤

[McGowan-hviw]

It takes great patience and 💰 to restore a historical home. My hat goes off to those that embark on this journey.❤

[KentuckyGirl]

Wow, this one has all the bells and whistles. Loving these victorian home tours.

[BOLLOCKS]

$6.500. Can you imagine? Sadly that wouldn't even be a down-payment on a house like this today ! Such elegance from a time long gone. Great tour! Cheers ✌ ❤

[jimowen]

This Place is pure class. Just a stunning masterpiece. Back in these days, the builders were true craftsmen. How they did what they did is truly mind boggling. LOVE IT

[megfuchs]

I am really digging the lighter woodwork!! Gives off a much warmer vibe.

[bettyhenderson]

Thank you Phillips County College for this restoration. Having grown up in Helena, Arkansas, I know there are many more historic homes that need restoration. This was done with so much love.

[BohemianBeatster]

The importance of saving this historically, beautiful homes goes beyond words. This restored home is filled with magic that can't be truly reproduced now a days. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.

[bethknight]

This house looks like half the houses in my town which are mostly now apartment buildings. Such a pleasure to see one intact and restored 🤗

[BeezyBee]

Wow I don't think I've ever seen a more spectacular home than this one!! . . . Pretty sad that homes are no longer build with such craftsmanship anymore . . . That gold mirror 😍🔥 . . I need it ASAP 😂😂

[kimberlyearly]

Oh my goodness this house is BEAUTIFUL!! As soon as I saw the outside I gasped and then the beauty continued on the inside! I'm not usually a fan of wallpaper but most of it in this house was really pretty. Especially in the parlor. I enjoyed the history of the house as much as the tour. I just wish we could've seen the bathrooms. Unless I just blacked out for a minute and missed it.

[patwilliams]

I grew up 1/2 block from the PT House and loved Francis and Josephine Thompson. This was a great tour of this beautiful home and Raymond is wonderful and did a fantastic job as tour guide with his wide knowledge of not only the house but also historic Helena. Love you Raymond.

[evelynbyrd]

In really olden days, a fortress had a narrow entrance to keep out the enemy. This house is a fortress for the family. The interior is open and huge rooms are very inviting for the family and their invited guests.

[rachelleroady]

I love Victorian homes especially the Queen Anne with the beautiful carved spindled detailed wood anywho🦉y'all have a blessed day❤ and night ❤️.

[vickiephilpitt]

Loved this tour. I had no idea Arkansas had such wealthy historic areas. Good to see restoration and continued use of an historic beauty.

[Colorbrush]

Victorian is not my personal taste, but this is beautiful. It is one of the few Victorian homes that did not creep me out. Maybe because the woodwork was a warm caramel instead of the dark mahogany you usually see. Also, the wallpaper was not overwhelming and was confined to a few rooms. Most of the walls were solid color and very calming and cozy. The tour and narration was excellent and made the whole place seem alive.