West Mansion

Business Plan

Plan:

Six phases will be implemented during the project.

-Phase One:  Museum: Upon acquisition the mansion will be cleaned and museum will be created in James Marion West’s former study. Story Sloane III has been asked to create the museum. He owns a photo gallery on Fondren that specializes in photos taken during the 1920s and 1930s. A selection from his gallery, including 1929 photos of the mansion, will be used along with additional artifacts. Mr. Sloane has located a photo of the Clear Lake Railway Station as it appeared during the time. Most of the mansion’s construction supplies were unloaded at this railway station.

-Phase Two:  Tours :  Upon acquisition the house will be cleaned and opened for tours.  Tours will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Sunday tours will begin at noon.  Adult fees will be $ 5.00, students (7-18) will be $3.00, and children under 6 will be free.  Each tour will offer a narration on the history of the mansion and will be of educational value.  Student groups will be encouraged.  Tour prices and schedules have been set using the Moody Mansion , Bishops Palace , and Ashton Villa in Galveston as models.

-Phase Three: Educational Plan: Once the property has been acquired, the guest house will be prepared for the incorporation of a school for children with learning differences. Please see pages 9 through 15 for additional information regarding the school. Additional components of the Educational Plan will also begin at this time. Please see page 4 for the Preserved in Time Educational Plan in detail.

-Phase Four:  Private Events, Weddings, Bridal Receptions and Photo Shoots:  Restoration of the mansion will begin with the main hall, living room, solarium, and dining room.  Once restored, these rooms will be rented out for bridal receptions, photo shoots and private parties.  These functions can also be held on the grounds for a reasonable rental rate.  Caterers will need to be hired; as, the kitchen will not be completed.  An initial inquiry regarding the mansion was made in early June.  The realtor’s secretary stressed that she answered numerous phone calls requesting the mansion be rented out for these services.  A room or garden rental rate of $350.00 is being considered.

-Phase Five:  Tearoom:  A tearoom will be added to the list of services once the kitchen has been renovated.  The tearoom will be used for lunches only, and will operate between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily.  Guests touring the house and local residents will be welcome.  A full lunch menu will be offered with a range of luncheon prices.  Weekly specials will be introduced.  Menus and prices are currently being researched. The space will be rented out to a local restaurant for this purpose.

-Phase Six: Stables: The stables will be restored to their original state and will be incorporated into the Educational Plan.