Discover the
Children’s Bed Chamber
THE CHILDREN’S BED CHAMBER
Modest Children’s Bed Chamber
Due to its small size and lack of a fireplace or stove, the small room was less desirable than the larger, more elaborately furnished chamber. It was likely used for guests when other rooms were unavailable or when their social status or short stay did not warrant more distinguished accommodations.
Woodville represents this space as a children's bedroom. Situated on the first floor among the home’s main entertaining areas, it may have been convenient for guests with limited mobility. However, its location also made it less private, making the second-floor guest chambers the preferred choice.
1800
Four-Post Bed
In the west wall of the parlor are two doors that now lead to shed-roofed bed chambers. The bed chambers are believed to have been built after the Neville period of ownership, most likely when Christopher Cowen and his family occupied the house beginning in early 1815. Another example of early wallpaper was discovered in these bedrooms during restoration. The pattern was reproduced, and new paper was re-hung. Made by Waterhouse Wallhangings, the pattern is known as the “Woodville” pattern.
1800
Washstand
A washstand or basin stand is a piece of furniture consisting of a small table or cabinet, usually supported on three or four legs, and most commonly made of mahogany, walnut, or rosewood, and made for holding a wash basin and water pitcher. The smaller varieties were used for rose-water ablutions, or for hair-powdering. The larger ones, which possessed receptacles for soap dishes, were the predecessors of the modern bathroom wash basin, or sink. Both varieties, often of very elegant form, were in extensive use throughout a large part of the 18th century and early-19th century, eventually disappearing with the advent of modern indoor plumbing.
1800
American Rocker
The first record of an American rocker can be found in a bill of sale dating from 1742, from a cabinet maker in colonial Philadelphia. Sold for just six shillings, or what would be the equivalent of 40 dollars in present day, it was described as “one Nurse chair with rockers.”
Later, in the 19th Century, this novelty of adding rocking rails to chairs saw an uptick in popularity wider than in use in merely “nursing” chairs for new mothers. It would soon become a popular furniture type for the infirm and even recreational pursuits. On a visit to America during the 1830s, Harriet Martineau, an English writer remarked on the rising popularity of the rocking chair. “How this lazy and ungraceful indulgence ever became general, I cannot imagine, but the nation seems wedded to it.” Growing in popularity over the duration of the the 19th Century, the rocking chair was realized in various aesthetic styles, ranging from the shaker style, ladder back rocker, to the soon to be ubiquitous “Boston Rocker,” which featured a curved seat, high back and rails.
1800
Wallpaper
The wallpaper in the children's bedrooms are reproduced to match the original, as seen in the photo.noted cabinet makers who were known for using this tapered reeded leg ending in a bulb.
1800
Mahogany American Federal Dresser
Commonly, in the late 1700’s to the early 1800’s, you will see early Federal dressers. These dressers have some very beautiful features. Fine furniture from this period often features incredible mahogany or walnut woods and very fancy veneers. So, for instance, on the front of an early Federal dresser, you may see what is called “book-matched” veneer that appears to flame outwards from the center.
This process involves selecting fine mahogany that has a very dramatic veneer and slicing it very thin. Then it means matching the grain on either side, like opening the pages of a book. Most often, the hardware of an early federal dresser features solid brass oval Hepplewhite style pulls, or Chippendale style pulls.
