Lincoln Home
Historic Furnishings Report 		NPS Logo

THE PLAN

SECTION E: RECOMMENDED FURNISHINGS (continued)

MRS. LINCOLN'S BEDROOM: ROOM I

See p. 327, for Summary of Furnishings and Cost Estimates.

MRS. LINCOLN'S BEDROOM: ROOM I
Object: I.1 — Bedstead
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Low post, Cottage style with turned spindles.
Location: East wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 101.


Object: I.2 — Bedding and Bedclothes
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Mattress, bolster, two feather pillows, two sheets, and two linen pillowcases.
Location: Bed.
Documentation: Period practice, see Eliza Leslie's Miss Leslie's Lady's House Book (pp. 316-317) and see pp. 98 and 144 for references to fabrics purchased and owned by the Lincolns.
Source: To be acquired (mattress, pillows, bolster to be reproductions; linen pillowcases and sheets to be antique).


Object: I.3 — Bedspread
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: A Marseilles quilt.
Location: Bed.
Documentation: The Lincolns' account with John Williams & Co. lists the purchase of a Marseilles quilt on February 9, 1853 (see p. 98).
Source: LIHO 828.


Object: I.4 — Bureau
Date: ca. 1820-1840
Brief Description: Federal style bureau, reeded pilasters, and a swell front.
Location: West wall, north of door to Abraham's room.
Documentation:: This bureau has a history of ownership by Mrs. Lincoln. See pp. 129-131.
Source:: LIHO 1126.


Object: I.5 — Pair of Wooden Brackets
Date: ca. 1850-1860
Brief Description: A pair of small wooden shelves with scrollwork decoration.
Location: Either side of mirror over dressing table.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 694 and 695.


Object: I.6 — Commode
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Mahogany veneered box.
Location: Southeast corner.
Documentation: Period practice. This commode has a history of ownership by Mrs. Lincoln. See pp. 125-127.
Source: LIHO 104.


Object: I.7 — Washstand
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Late Empire style.
Location: South wall, near door.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 106.


Object: I.8-9 — Rocking Chair and Footstool
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Walnut lady's rocker and stool, caned or upholstered in black horsehair.
Location: At foot of bed near north window and table.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 56 and LIHO 96.


Object: I.10 — Sewing Table
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Small pedestal stand, with drawers.
Location: North wall near window.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 46.


Object: I.11 — Mirror
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Mahogany veneered, ogee molded wooden frame.
Location: Over washstand.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 103.


Object: I.12 — Pair of Brackets
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Wooden, scrollwork decoration.
Location: Either side of mirror over washstand.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 727 and 728.


Object: I.13 — Oval Picture
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Oval wooden frame with hair, shellwork, or pressed flower subject.
Location: Over commode on south wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 706.


Object: I.14 — Framed Pictures, Pair
Date: 1850-1860
Brief Description: Photographs of Tad and Willy, framed and hung over bureau.
Location: Over bureau.
Documentation: Period practice. See "Accessory Furnishings" (pp. 104-107) which lists several photographs of family members and friends which have a history of having been located in the Springfield house. Framed photographs were frequently hung on the walls. Many still have their original attachments by which they were hung. One example in a gutta percha frame may be seen at the House Where Lincoln Died, The National Park Service, Washington, D.C. [37] Written references to this practice are rare; however, one reference is located in the letters of Louise Taft, about President Taft's boyhood home in Cincinnati. In a letter written in September, 1860, Louise described a new photograph of William Howard, taken on his third birthday, "hanging" before her. It was a full length photograph mounted in a gilt oval frame. [38]
Source: LIHO 392 and 393.


Object: I.15 — Bowl, Pitcher, Soap Dish, and Slop Jar
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Ironstone, white.
Location: Washstand.
Documentation: Period practice. Archeological evidence (see pp. 77-79). Purchases (see p. 98).
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.16 — Cologne Bottles (2)
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Glass or French china.
Location: Dressing table.
Documentation: Period practice. See list of the Lincolns' local store purchases.
Source: LIHO 722 and 723.


Object: I.17 — Pin Cushion
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Cloth covered cushion with pre-1860 pins.
Location: Dressing table.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.18 — Dresser Scarves (2)
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: White cotton fringed cloths.
Location: Bureau and washstand.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.19 — Candlesticks
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Parian, pair.
Location: One on the dressing table, and one on the bureau.
Documentation: Period practice and candle purchases made by the Lincolns (see pp. 112-119).
Source: LIHO 350, 351.


Object: I.20 — Wicker Sewing Basket
Date: ca. 1850-1860
Brief Description: Oval basket with short sides and lid.
Location: Chair or sewing table.
Documentation: Mrs. Lincoln sewed many of her own and her children's clothes (see p. 114). LIHO 278 (now in such poor condition, it should be retired to storage) has a history of ownership by Mrs. Lincoln. See pp. 67-68.
Source: LIHO 1003.


Object: I.21 — Towels
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Cotton.
Location: Washstand.
Documentation: See list of local purchases made by the Lincolns, pp. 98-100.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.22 — Vase or Statuette
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: English or French china.
Location: Bureau.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 699.


Object: I.23 — Brush and Comb
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Wooden handled.
Location: Dressing table.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.24 — Jewelry
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Woven hair ornaments (2).
Location: Dressing table.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 714, 715, 716, 717, 718.


Object: I.25 — Wool Shawl
Date: ca. 1850
Brief Description: Pink and yellow wool shawl.
Location: Hung over the chair.
Documentation: This shawl has a history of ownership by Mrs. Lincoln. See p. 104.
Source: LIHO 744.


Object: I.26 — Framed Cutout Pictures
Date: ca. 1850-1860
Brief Description: Cutout pictures of Georgian period; people mounted on black background.
Location: Over Mary's bed on east wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 729, 730, 731.


Object: I.27 — Books
Date: Pre-1860
Brief Description: Period books of various topics.
Location: Sewing table and bureau.
Documentation: Period practice. See books owned by Mary Lincoln, pp. 52-53.
Source: LIHO Collections, such as 943, 880, 946, to be periodically rotated.


Object: I.28 — Piece of Unfinished Sewing
Date: ca. 1850-1860
Brief Description: Hand sewing on linen, cotton or wool, preferably to be partially finished.
Location: Sewing table, or chair.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique preferable).


Object: I.29 — Foot Tub
Date: ca. 1860
Brief Description: White glazed earthenware vessel with oval base, wide molded bands, and square handles. Marked "Anthony Shaw/Burslem."
Location: Floor, near washstand.
Documentation: NPS catalogue record states an employee was told in 1965 that the object belonged to Lincoln, but there is no other documentary evidence to support the claim. Godden (1964) places Anthony Shaw in Tunstall during the years 1851 to 1856, and in Burslem during the years "ca. 1860" to 1900. The Lincoln provenance for this item is questionable but possible.
Source: LIHO 768.


Object: I.30 — Writing Box and Writing Equipment
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Slant-top box, mahogany or walnut, with hinged top and interior drawers; pens, paper, envelopes.
Location: On top of bureau.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.31 — Stove
Date: 1840-1860
Brief Description: Small parlor stove suitable for room.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 705.


Object: I.32 — Shovel, Tongs, Hearth Brush
Date: 1850-1860
Brief Description: Iron and brass, and wooden hearth brush.
Location: Set by stove.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: I.33 — Dressing Table
Date: 1840-1860
Brief Description: Small table with drawers and mirror, walnut or mahogany.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).
MRS. LINCOLN'S BEDROOM: ROOM I

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Last Updated: 08-Feb-2004