Mackay Mansion Museum — Attraction in Dayton

Having the family name Mackay (or depending on which family member one asked, McKay), visiting the Silver City, NV's MACKAY MANSION, was high on my " Bucket List ". March 31st, while driving my 'snowbird' mother from my Phoenix home to her winter home in Seattle, I was able check it off the list! Arriving late afternoon, we had hoped to make the last tour of the day, but found it locked up tight. I apologized to my ancestors for being so late, asking their forgiveness.

Joking about the possibility of seeing ghost, we turned to leave, and were QUITE STARTLED to find a VERY PLEASANT & young woman standing right behind us. After we composed ourselves, quieting our nervous giggles, she assured us she was very much alive. We took her up on the offer of a private tour, though felt guilty, as she had just come 'home' after a long day at work.

Being disabled and not able to continue upstairs, Mom asked to wait on the main floor, to which the young woman offered a chair. Assured she was comfortable, the tour continued up the stairs. Relaying my gratitude, but our need to be on our way, we decended the stairs. No sooner had we finished, 'rounding the corner downstairs, back into the main room, my now my quite confused mother, questioned: "Where would you make the tea?". Standing up, Mom continued: "I just don't remember seeing a kitchen", which increase my growing concern. Our polite guide, taken a back, replied: "I'm so sorry, would you like some tea?...I can run downstairs to make you some!" Pointing into the room we thru which we had origionally entered the mansion, Mom again spoke: "Oh NO dear, but THANK YOU so very much! As I had informed the woman in the other room, we really must be going, and you BOTH must be very hungery by now...didn't you say you had just come from work?" "Yes, but...I live downstairs alone...who ", she abruptly stopped, and looking at me, our guide gave a nervous laugh. My arm around my mother, and as I guided/helping her outside, once again I thanked our guide for her kindness.

Sitting in our car, it took us a few minutes to buckle up, head out of town. It wasn't until we had reached Reno, that either Mom or spoke. I said that I couldn't wait to go back! Looking around, Mom nerviously asked:...

This was my 4th time in Virginia city but my first in the mansion. Wish I would've came here before. We enjoyed the information and history of the mansion. We experienced some unusual moments but hey this is a haunted mansion, what's not to expect. Most definitely will come back in future visits. The host (very nice lady) was very informative and attentive to our questions. Wish we could've spend more time there learning about Mackey's Mansion. But she had more groups waiting for the next tour. I've noticed many people are not near the mansion probably cause it's away from the main street and looks lonely. But it's opened. Another reason why some don't go near by it's because once you go down to the mansion you'll probably struggle to walk up the hill. What I did was enjoyed the whole main street then towards the end of my tour I visited the mansion and the cemetery. I drove my car in between sites no more worries about going up that hill. lol. Note: If the door is locked she's probably giving a tour. There's a tiny clock that will show you the next tour. You'll have to wait a few minutes but...

Went to S. Lake Tahoe to get away from busy Bay Area life and decided to cross over to Nevada to check out Virginia City. The visitors center had a list of various tours one could go on and we decided on the Mackey Mansion - history, mines, ghost stories - sounded fun!

We arrive and the tour guide is finishing up a tour with another couple. She was a wonderfully friendly and funny lady and made the brief history lesson and initial tour a great experience.

Loved all of the history in this place, including all of the original furnishings. After touring the main floor, which included the office and parlor. The tour guide then told us the ghost stories before letting is wander the rest of the building. Upstairs to the bedrooms and down stairs to the dining room where apparently Edison, Bell, and Twain had joined their hosts for dinner.

Would definitely recommend this place for anyone who appreciates history, antiques, ghost stories, or any combo...