Dan Anderson and his partner Sara have been restoring a historic mansion built in 1852. The last couple of decades haven’t been particularly nice to the estate, with the last 2 years being vacant, abandoned and vandalized. Even though the structure is still sound, it needs attention in a number of areas in order to truly shine again. However, the couple is determined to bring it back to its original glory.
While they were working on the building’s interior, Dan and Sara stumbled upon something they didn’t know even existed. A secret room. After peeking inside, they realized it was full of loot as well. Intrigued by their discovery, a friend of the couple posted pictures of their findings on Imgur and they immediately went viral. So far, not much is known about the origins of the room, the reason it was hidden, or the truckload of bottles inside. After all, it does look like nobody has stepped foot in it since the Prohibition!
More info: aventinehall.com | Facebook
Image credits: fonjohn
Image credits: Aventine Hall Rebirth
It’s really exciting to think about what other treasures lie within the walls of the house. “This … mansion has an amazing, rich history, both locally and nationally,” the couple said on their project’s website. “The architecture is breathtaking and the enormity of the home simply can’t be captured with pictures alone.”
The two-story Greek Revival building is topped by a hipped roof with a cupola. The front facade features a tetrastyle portico, which runs almost the complete length of the facade. The portico itself is in the Corinthian order based on the Tower of the Winds in Athens.
Interestingly, Aventine Hall served as the main building of Luray College which operated from 1925 to 1927. It was moved to its present location in 1937 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Here’s what people said about the mysterious discovery
So that's one more room to refurbish. Perhaps selling some of the old bottles will pay for it.
I think maybe the comment "speakeasy from the 20's" may be correct. Nice thought.
My uncle found a whole basement full of empty bottles. Turned out town librarian had a little drinking problem back in the day.
I often have dreams about finding hidden rooms in my house. I have had dreams about finding a library with rare books, a bedroom with old toys from my childhood, and an unfinished room that needs to be remodeled.
Looks like an old coal storage bin. It was probably easier and more discrete to pitch the bottles down the coal shuttle than to stagger out to the trash can.
This is certainly Prohibition era, bootleg booze storage. Shipments were labeled as "Cut Flowers" because it separated the crates as delicate cargo and got them through inspection much faster than non-perishable cargo which may sit around to await inspection. Too bad all the whiskey has long since evaporated. I'd wager that the Rajah dressing jar (c. 1931, btw,) was actually full of moonshine.
Totally the work of Luray College. American Prohibition was 1920-33, college operated from 1925-27... It's kind of mind blowing to think that this house was most likely moved in '37 with all of this in the wall
Load More Replies...I don't know about ghosts, but somebody in that house was—literally—a closet drinker.
There is nothing better than a good mystery! And a secret room! I feel like I'm in a Nancy drew book! That house is awesome!
Congrats on the great find! A home with a secret & mysterious past- how exciting! Consider contacting your local historical society. Good Luck on your adventure!
So that's one more room to refurbish. Perhaps selling some of the old bottles will pay for it.
I think maybe the comment "speakeasy from the 20's" may be correct. Nice thought.
My uncle found a whole basement full of empty bottles. Turned out town librarian had a little drinking problem back in the day.
I often have dreams about finding hidden rooms in my house. I have had dreams about finding a library with rare books, a bedroom with old toys from my childhood, and an unfinished room that needs to be remodeled.
Looks like an old coal storage bin. It was probably easier and more discrete to pitch the bottles down the coal shuttle than to stagger out to the trash can.
This is certainly Prohibition era, bootleg booze storage. Shipments were labeled as "Cut Flowers" because it separated the crates as delicate cargo and got them through inspection much faster than non-perishable cargo which may sit around to await inspection. Too bad all the whiskey has long since evaporated. I'd wager that the Rajah dressing jar (c. 1931, btw,) was actually full of moonshine.
Totally the work of Luray College. American Prohibition was 1920-33, college operated from 1925-27... It's kind of mind blowing to think that this house was most likely moved in '37 with all of this in the wall
Load More Replies...I don't know about ghosts, but somebody in that house was—literally—a closet drinker.
There is nothing better than a good mystery! And a secret room! I feel like I'm in a Nancy drew book! That house is awesome!
Congrats on the great find! A home with a secret & mysterious past- how exciting! Consider contacting your local historical society. Good Luck on your adventure!
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