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Spotlight on Longview Mansion

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Longview Mansion is not just the place where brides go to have their wedding dreams come true; it is a welcoming country estate that can host impressive private parties or provide the ultimate off-site getaway for company events.

This beautiful renovated mansion was the country home of Kansas City lumber baron and philanthropist R.A. Long and his daughter, Loula Long Combs, also known as the Queen of American Royal, Kansas City’s agrarian association, until the early 1970s. The mansion was the jewel of the property that once featured 50 buildings. This 22,000-square-foot home is a historical treasure that’s one of Kansas City’s premier event facilities.

Longview Mansion is only 20 minutes from Kansas City, tucked away in a tree-shaded haven of ten acres, and provides guests a distinctive venue with a fountain garden, large porches and fireplaces. It features a grand entrance with columns and a double staircase that you would expect to find in a mansion. It is a complete service operation as guests are spoiled by full time coordinators, an on-site chef, ample parking and historically decorated rooms loaded with character. It is suited for small intimate gatherings or capable of hosting parties of up to 300 people.

Attached to the Mansion is an all-weather pavilion complete with a wooden dance floor, giant chandeliers and twinkle lights draped around the perimeter. This provides a wonderful setting for larger groups and guests, who like to drift between the historic home to the state-of-the-art tent. Longview Mansion offers attached parking with the ability to accommodate more than 200 cars, which guests greatly appreciate. “We never have a need for on-site security, as the surrounding privacy ensures a happy, uninterrupted and safe retreat,” noted Jeanne Marshall, operator of Longview Mansion.

Longview Mansion is truly a family operation, offering all of the personal touches that one would expect in a family-run business. “My son Hunter manicures every inch of this lush property single-handedly, and my daughter-in-law Jenny has ten years’ experience as the event director here at the Mansion,” noted Jeanne. “Kristin Nolte is Jenny’s right-arm assistant, and Cynthia Gephart is our colorful farm-to-table chef. I simply serve as the ‘incident commander’ for the mansion.”

Mixing this blend of family-owned business expertise and attention to detail with the Mansion’s one-of-a-kind setting ensures that magic happens. “Simply put, we care. Our name is on everything we do, and we have a sterling reputation to protect,” remarked Jeanne.

For private and corporate events, the Mansion offers incredible charm, character, service and a complete personalization of the food menu, allowing each client to make his or her affair a special one. The event planners work through the details of the initial planning, spearheading logistics, and are hands on throughout each event, right up to its conclusion. The gardens are romantic and the grounds provide an inviting, lush carpet for outdoor activities, which are perfect for lawn parties or corporate team-building exercises.

Jeanne notes that growing alongside the increase in corporate events are private parties ranging from baby showers, rehearsal dinners and anniversary celebrations to birthday parties. More people are sharing these important life milestones in the spectacular way that’s offered at the Longview Mansion.

“It’s always a surprise to me when people from the area tell me they had no idea that Longview Mansion was here or that it is available for hosting events,” noted Jeanne. “We are a well-kept secret. That in itself has a certain kind of allure.” But the word is getting out. Longview Mansion has very few Saturdays left for weddings this year, and bookings during the week are on the rise.

“We’re also seeing a big increase in the number of special entertainment events such as our Dinner Murder Mysteries, wine tastings, holiday celebrations and theatrical performances. We are considering having a Wednesday or Thursday night event featuring performances as entertainment that invites some guest participation and enjoyment,” revealed Jeanne. “These have been well received by the community and we see them as a signature experience at Longview Mansion, providing an evening of happy surprises.”

Whether the happy surprise is a storybook wedding, a fun night out on the town, a business conference or private party, Longview Mansion offers an incredible location to celebrate the day. All of the exceptional extras preserved in this historic grace make Longview Mansion the place to book your event. HLM

Visit Longview Mansion at 1200 SW Longview Park Drive, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, or the website at longviewmansion.com, or call 816-761-6669.