As Jefferson City resident Lynne Millard walks into 500 E. Capitol Ave., she's entering a home that was built more than 120 years ago by her great-grandfather's cousin, former Gov. Lon Stephens.
The home, commonly known as Ivy Terrace, was designed in 1893 by local architect Charles Opel for Stephens, then the state treasurer, and his wife before he was elected governor in 1897. In 1990, it was added to the National Historic Register.
Today, the dilapidated, red-sided Queen Anne home with its rounded turret marks the corner of East Capitol Avenue and Jackson Street as a local landmark. The doors and windows are boarded up, and there are several holes in the roof. Following the May 22 tornado, pieces of the front porch railing are broken, as are some of the slats on the turret.
Last year, the Jefferson City Housing Authority began the process of acquiring the house, along with several others, through eminent domain from the previous owner, Barbara Buescher. After they acquired it, the home became part of the Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan, which was approved by the Jefferson City Council in 2016.
Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch said they finally acquired the property a few months ago.
Wednesday marked the first time many people were able to go inside in decades.
For Millard, it was a chance to fulfill a dream she'd had for many years.
In the 10 years she has lived in Jefferson City, Millard said, she's likely driven by the house once a week.
"I drive by and I imagine what it would be like to go in. It just keeps falling apart. I've been praying that somebody could do something with it," Millard said, looking up at the second story of the two-and-a-half story home.
"It just kept falling more and more in disrepair, which was really, really sad. But I've always hoped that the city could get a hold of it and sell it to somebody who could fix it up again."
On Wednesday, during an open house held by the Housing Authority, 133 interested visitors were able to tour a majority of the run-down mansion. The first floor and most of the second floor were open, but the bedrooms on the second floor, the basement space and a ballroom on the third floor were closed due to safety concerns.
The goal of the Housing Authority, working as the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, is to fight blight in Jefferson City by buying and selling properties in blighted areas for redevelopment.
Bids for redevelopment of the property can be sent to the Housing Authority until Jan. 7.
Former Missouri lawmaker Jeff Schaeperkoetter, who with his wife owns the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House at 700 E. Capitol Ave., was one of the visitors of the home Wednesday.
"This has been a jewel for over 100 years, and the prospect of somebody bringing it back to life is exciting," Schaeperkoetter said. "It's an amazing old house."
After touring Ivy Terrace, he said it seems it looks close to how it would have originally looked.
"There haven't been the kind of changes you see, for instance, to the Parsons House - that place has been totally redone," Schaeperkoetter said. "But this, the original fireplaces - it looks to me that it's pretty close to the way it was when it was built 126 years ago."
The home includes five to six bedrooms along with six to seven bathrooms in its 5,943 square feet, along with a parlor area, kitchen, dining room and third-story ballroom. It also features several original fireplaces and a basement space that could serve as a separate apartment.
Jefferson City resident Alice Shockley toured the home with friends Wednesday morning. Like Millard, she had been waiting years for the chance to go inside.
"Have you noticed that there's no creaking when you walk?" Shockley asked her friend as they walked the second floor. "This is an incredibly sturdy building."
Shockley said she's been driving by the house for at least 15 years, wondering what it looked like inside. She admitted she has tried to peek into the windows of the abandoned home before.
"This is my favorite house in all of Jefferson City," Shockley said. "I've never seen a house that I like as much as this house. If I had lots of money, it would be mine."
Like many, Shockley said it's a shame the house has gotten into the state it's in. Visitors on Wednesday had to wear masks due to the mold, asbestos and animal feces that have filled the house since it was abandoned.
"Somebody needs to make this shine again. It's such a wonderful house," Shockley said. "It would be the most wonderful bed and breakfast."
Plans for the redevelopment of Ivy Terrace may come in the future. Following the open house, six parties have signed up for a second, private showing Tuesday, where they can bring contractors for a more in-depth look, Quetsch said. Another public open house has been scheduled for potential bidders from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
An open house for the properties at 501, 507, 511 and 513 E. Capitol Ave. and 101 Jackson St. will take place 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 15.