FURNISHING THE MASTER BEDCHAMBER (1790 - 1815) HAMPTON Hampton National Historic Site National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior 1993 31o/i 3VW7? Hampton National Historic Site National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior 1993 FURNISHING THE MASTER BEDCHAMBER (1790 - 1815) Prepared by: Lynne Dakin Hastings, Curator Recommended by: Date Approved by: CONTENTS Acknowledgments iii Management Summary 1 Administrative Data 3 Status - List of Classified Structures Administrative History Proposed Use & Prior Planning Documents Interpretive Objectives 7 Interpretive Operating Plan Access Interpretive Security Related Media Historical Data 12 Local History Hampton 1745-1829 Architectural Data 16 Features: Southwest Bedchamber Surface Treatments Paint Faux Painting: Marbleizing and Graining Wallpaper Evidence of Original Furnishings 26 FURNISHINGS STUDY 35 I . The Bed A. The Bedstead 36 B. Bedding 42 C. Linens 46 D. Bed Furnishings 53 II. Other Soft Furnishings A. Matching Window Treatments 67 B. Slipcovers 69 C. Towels 71 III. Floor Coverings A. Brussels Carpet 72 B. Hearth Rug 78 C. Drugget or Baize 79 D. Straw Matting 79 E. Painted Floor Cloth 80 IV. Other Furniture A. Crib 83 B. Low Post or Trundle Bed 84 C. Chairs 85 D. Backstool 90 E. Easy Chair 91 F. Sofa 93 G. Night Table or Close Stool 94 H. Dressing Tables 96 I. Washstand 99 J. Clothes Horse and Towel Rack 101 K. Wardrobe 102 L. Bureau 104 FURNISHINGS STUDY, Other Furniture (con't) M. Writing Desk 106 N. Table 107 O. Bed Steps 109 P. Stool 109 Q. Large Chest 110 R. Dressing Glass and Looking Glass 112 V . Artwork A. Overmantel 116 B. Paintings 119 C. Prints 120 VI. Fireplace Equipment 124 VII. Other Accessories A. Boxes and Containers 130 B. Toilet Articles 131 C. Bathing Tub 132 D. Basin and Ewer 132 E. Breakfast Set: Porcelain 133 F. Breakfast Set: Silver 134 G. Lighting Devices 135 H . Books 137 I. Tambour Frame 139 J. Telescope 139 K. Portable or Travelling Desk 142 L. Warming Pan 142 VIII. Accompaniments 143 FURNISHINGS PLAN 146 Arrangement Recommendations 146 List of Objects 149 Cost Estimates 152 ILLUSTRATIONS Following page 153 ENDNOTES 154 BIBLIOGRAPHY 184 APPENDIX A: Setting the Stage APPENDIX B: Special Programs APPENDIX C: Housekeeping Plan SAMPLES li ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The National Park Service would like to thank the many institutions assisting in this study, especially the archival repositories of the Maryland Historical Society Museum and Library, and the Hall of Records, Maryland State Archives. Special appreciation is extended to the Office of Advanced Studies, the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, for granting the author Visiting Scholar Status to assist in the completion of furnishings studies for Hampton, and to the encouragement and assistance provided by the library, curatorial, conservation, and administrative staff of this extraordinary institution. The participation of Historic Hampton, Inc., and its financial and personal commitment to the project, especially from Clara Ward Haines and members of the Furnishings and Conservation Committee, is gratefully acknowledged. One member of the committee, Romaine Somerville, served as editor for the manuscript; David Conradsen, as research fellow under contract with Historic Hampton, Inc., assisted with its final production. We also recognize Walter Schamu, AIA, of Schamu, Machowski, Doo & Associates, for providing the services of Nancy Kramer to produce architectural elevations of the Master Bedchamber. Part of the bedchamber restoration has already become a reality, in large measure due to the dedication and talent of Margaret Pritchard, Curator, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, who produced the patterns for the window treatments and bedhangings based on period documents and Hampton archival references; Rosanna Moore, whose genius and extraordinary talent converted these patterns to reality in a back-breaking effort ably assisted by Evelyn Adams, Mary Plumer, Mary Lou McCausland, and Carol Ingalls; and, David Luckham, who spent many hours in the Woodward Grosvenor archives and at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, verifying the carpet selection and planning its production. We also wish to thank the following professionals for vital documentary assistance and/or critical review of portions of this document: Linda Baumgarten, Curator of Textiles, Colonial Williamsburg Luke Beckerdite, formerly Curator, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, now Director, Chipstone Foundation Ian Bristow, Consultant, historic paint research, England William Brown, NPS, Washington Office (WASO), Historic Furnishings Stiles T. Colwill, former Museum Director, The Maryland Historical Society (MHS), now independent historical consultant David Conradsen, M.A. Candidate, University of Delaware, Winterthur Program in Early American Culture Wendy A. Cooper, Curator of Decorative Arts, The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), formerly Director, Wallace Gallery, Colonial Williamsburg, and Assoc. Curator, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in Jeannine Disviscour, M.A., Winterthur Program, currently Research Assistant, Department of Decorative Arts, The BMA William Voss Elder III, Consultant Curator of Decorative Arts, The BMA Doris Fanelli, Chief Curator, Independence National Historical Park, NPS Donald Fennimore, Acting Chief Curator, and Curator of Metals, The Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum (Winterthur) J. Michael Flanigan, Museum Consultant, and former Curator of the Kaufmann Collection Christopher Gilbert, Director of Leeds Art Gallery and Temple Newsam, England Ronald Hurst, Curator of Furniture, Colonial Williamsburg Dolores Lake, Museum Technician, Hampton National Historic Site Dr. R. Kent Lancaster, Professor of History and Chairman, Department of Historic Preservation, Goucher College Catherine Lynn, Consultant, historic wallpaper Ellen Miles, Curator, National Portrait Gallery M. B. Munford, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts, The BMA Richard Nylander, Curator, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) Margaret Pritchard, Curator of Prints, Colonial Williamsburg William Seale, Consultant, historic furnishings, for the White House, NPS, the National Trust, and others Elizabeth Ann Smith - Museum Technician, Hampton NHS Romaine Stec Somerville - former Director, MHS, and Curator of Decorative Arts, BMA; currently independent historical consultant Susan Stein, Curator, Monticello Robert Stewart, Curator of Paintings, National Portrait Gallery Susan Swan, Curator of Textiles, Winterthur Museum Michael F, Trostel, AIA Gregory R. Weidman, Curator of Furniture, MHS Frank Welsh, Consultant, historic paint research Annabelle Westman, Consultant, historic textiles, and Assistant Director, The Attingham Program Dr. Gail Winkler, Consultant, historic furnishings, and Professor in the Winterthur Program James T. Wollon, AIA Lastly, the author is deeply indebted to Gene R. and G. Howard White, for their vision, commitment, and historical perspective. The Whites preserved a critical portion of the Ridgely family papers, and shared them unreservedly with the author. These papers were recently donated by them to the Maryland State Archives for the use of future generations of scholars. Lynne Dakin Hastings Curator Hampton NHS December 1992 IV MANAGEMENT SUMMARY The purpose of this document is to provide a furnishings study for the Master Bedchamber, Hampton Mansion, Hampton National Historic Site, for the period 1790-1815. The furnishings study, which includes a furnishings plan for the Master Bedchamber will provide historical documentation for architectural and fabric treatments in the room, as well as for objects exhibited for interpretation. The documentation will provide guidance for interpretation of the social and material culture during the period of Ridgely occupancy from 1790-1814. This period of interpretation was selected and approved for the General Management Plan because of the quality of original documentation for surface treatments in the Master Bedchamber, especially paint and faux graining; the amount of original furnishings surviving for this generation of ownership; and the objective of interpreting different generations of Ridgely occupancy in different rooms. While the Master Bedchamber will document the early residency, the Northeast Bedchamber will exhibit mid-19th century changes and additions, and the Northwest Bedchamber was selected to represent latter generations of occupancy. No furnishings studies or plans exist for the Mansion to date. The Plan for the Master Bedchamber is being developed separately because of the scope and complexity of the study, as well as funding considerations. This plan will complement other room plans as they are completed. The long-range objective is to consolidate the room plans into a complete study for the preservation and interpretation of primary exhibit areas at Hampton Mansion. This complete study will combine certain sections of each plan into one entity, separating out individual room plans. Additional Furnishings Plans are anticipated for exhibit areas in Stables 1, Quarters A, and the Farmhouse. Three major factors have imposed critical limitations on this study: First, no archaeological survey has been conducted for Hampton NHS, and little archaeological data exist for analysis. Projects narrow in scope have accompanied specific work such as water and sewer line excavation, but monitoring has been limited and artifact recovery or documentation meager. Additionally, major ground disturbance to the farm site occurred