Tufts’ Mansion

Tufts’ Museum was established in 1982 when Jennie Tufts bequeathed her home to the city of Neillsville.  William H. Mahar built the original home in 1879.  Emery Bruley, a blacksmith, merchant and inventor, purchased the home in 1885.  He added the larger south section, pump house and carriage house.  It was at this time that the house took on a Victorian appearance.  Bruley also added etched glass windows, an Italian marble fireplace mantle, and a fountain in the front yard.  In 1886, Bruley traded homes with Richard Dewhurst, a local banker and county judge.  Richard’s wife, Maria, replaced the front porch with a large portico with Grecian ionic columns.  A porte-cochere was included in the front facade.  After Richard died, their daughter Mary, and her husband, Wallace Hemphill lived in the mansion with Mrs. Dewhurst. The house remained in the family until Mrs. Hemphill died in 1958.  Hemphill’s daughter, Frances Rudolph, sold the house to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stoll, who owned the home for about 3 years.

In 1961, Colonel William B. and Jennie Tufts became owners and began extensive repair, remodeling and redecorating, including the grand staircase in the home’s entrance.  They already had the idea that the home should one day become a museum.  In 1963, during the remodeling and before they had moved back to Neillsville and into the home, Colonel Tufts died.  Mrs. Tufts moved into the home in 1965.  After her death in 1982, the house was bequeathed to the city to be used as a museum.  In 1996, the heirs of Jennie Tufts sold the home to Joseph and Stacie Boe, who restored much of the home to its Victorian roots.

In 2004, they sold the mansion to James and Dawn Voss who opened Tufts’ Mansion – “The B&B with History and All that Jazz” with the intent to share the historical beauty and charm of this home.  Although the mansion serves as a private bed and breakfast, it is open to the public one afternoon a week from Memorial through Labor Day.

Source: TuftsMansion.com website