federal bedroom 1800-1825

This room represents the Sheraton and Hepplewhite schools of design. Most of the furniture in this room is of Pennsylvania origin. The mahogany Sheraton poster bed with it's curved tester or canopy is much lighter in design than the bed in the colonial bedroom. The material for the canopy is a reproduction based on a material of the period. As in the Colonial Bedroom, the bed hangings could be closed for warmth. The bed has rope springs with a horsehair and straw mattress.

The walnut secretary-desk and mahogany chair were made to Benjamin Parry's order about 1810. The tiger maple chairs, in various sizes, were part of a set used by the Parry's throughout the house.

The small footstool belonged to Jane Paxson Parry, Benjamin's wife, and is dated 1757. Note Jane's strongbox on the windowsill. The mahogany Sheraton bow-front chest of drawers was made in Pennsylvania. The Boston maker Lothrop signed the fine Sheraton gilt pier tabernacle mirror.

Perhaps by now you have noticed there is no true fireplace in this room. You can see an oven-type opening in which a fire was made. It has a square flue. Bricks inserted in the oven were heated for warming the bed and a pot of water could be warmed on top for washing.

This room contains the primary storage space for the entire house. This is an early 19th century storage wall. This was probably used for seasonal storage for the entire family's possessions since very few individuals had need of that number of closets for their meager personal belongings. Small trunks and hatboxes decorated with wallpaper were commonly used.

The mahogany candlestand is Hepplewhite and the other tilt-top candlestand is cherry. The oriental Imari early washing set is Chinese Transfer Ironstone. Our merchant fleets were opening up the Far East and oriental goods were becoming very popular.

The silhouettes by the door are of Oliver and Rachel Parry probably at the time of their wedding in 1840. Silhouettes were very popular since photography had not yet been invented.