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Interior Photos: Formal Rooms
In late 1970s-early '80s, the Clarke House was restored to its 1850-1860 decor, using historic documents, paint analysis and what was popular at that time with middle-class families. None of the Clarkes' furnishings or possessions survived. These photos below show the formal rooms on the main floor.
HALL
In the 19th century, the hallway functioned as a reception room for guests, as the place where homeowners screened their guests, decided to invite them in or not, and how formally to entertain them. The hall created the visitor’s first impression, so halls were often lavishly decorated with attractive lighting and an elaborate hallstand to denote the family had means and status. Small business could also be conducted in the hallway and in addition to the standard chairs and table, a hallway might also have a writing desk.
Guests were initially screened in the hallway, either by a servant or one of the children, though the ritual of calling cards. Upon arrival, the visitor would place a card with his or her name onto a calling card tray, sometimes located on a table near the entry. The servant would deliver the card on the tray to the homeowner. If the visitor was an undesirable person, the servant might say that the master or mistress was “engaged.” If the visitor was welcome, the servant would escort the guest into the informal sitting room, or into the more formal parlor on more serious occasions.
Stairway. The newel post and first section of the railing, both made of walnut, are original to the house and were installed in the 1830s. Most of the treads and risers are original, and made of pine. The upper portion of the balustrade and balusters were reproduced in walnut during the 1980s restoration to replace sections that had been destroyed in the fire. The rail balustrade, newel post, stairs and risers leading to the ground floor are also reproductions.
Wallpaper. The wallpaper in the hallway is designed to look like cut marble blocks, perhaps suggesting the interior of an ancient Greek stone temple. This reproduction wallpaper is based on a fragment found in the cupola.
Flooring. The floors are pine and are original to the house. The Brussels carpet is a reproduction of an 1856 pattern meant to represent what was available to Mrs. Clarke in the 1850s.
Hardware. Most of the hardware on the interior doors is original to the house.
DOUBLE PARLORS (FORMAL PARLOR AND DINING ROOM)
Parlors and dining rooms became more common during the last half of the 18th century, even though they could stil function as sitting rooms and even bedrooms. The parlor was mainly the domain of the woman because it was here that she would entertain guests and meet new acquaintances. In general, the parlor was a room set apart for festive and formal occasions, such as entertaining guests, hosting parties and dinners, weddings and celebrations of new births, and holding wakes. A suitor would be taken into the parlor when he came to call on a lady. It was a place where the homeowner could be most public and social, or completely alone in a busy household. Because it was a space intended for entertaining, the parlor was furnished to accommodate specialized activites and might have a piano and a small table for serving tea or playing cards.
Greek Revival parlors typically exhibit restrained elegance and formality, unlike later Victorian parlors, which abound with plush fabrics, ornately carved furnishings and lavish decorations. The Clarkes' double parlor combines elements of both periods.
Woodwork. The moldings around the windows and doors of the double parlors are much more elaborate than those in the north rooms. Even though the Italianate and Gothic styles became popular in the 1850s, Mrs. Clarke chose woodwork more consistent with the Greek Revival for her double parlors. the door moldings in the north rooms exemplify the thin, long lines characteristic of Federal style in America, while the door moldings in the south rooms have the heavier, stockier lines characteristic of Greek Revival.
Fireplace Mantels.The mantels were faux finished in the 1850s to resemble hard-grained black-and-white marble. This offers a decidedly more elegant finish than the plain black paint on the mantels in the north rooms.
Ceiling Medallions. The center plaster medallions were installed in the double parlors when the Clarke House was outfitted with gas lighting around 1855. The 1980s restoration team created reproductions based on the 1850s originals, which had fallen off the ceiling and deteriorated badly. The medallions are painted with fourteen different colors; the vivid mix is typical for formal parlors of the period.
Dining Room. Rooms specifically designated for dining became more common only in the late 18th century. Formal dining rooms and parlors evolved together during the 19th century. The double parlor suggests this is an affluent home. Hosting dinners became increasingly elaborate over the 19th century. The host or hostess carefully planned all aspects of the dinner, from its presentation and consumption to the social activities that would take place during it. The table arrangement (including choice and placement of a vast array of utensils, glasses dishes and decorations), seating arrangement, methods for serving each dish and course menu, all were determined to great detail. Servants served the meal, while the host or hostess presided over their company at the table. The Clarkes’ maid, Betsey, accompanied the family to Chicago in 1835, but it is unknown how long she stayed with the family.
Click to enlarge image. Additional interior images of Clarke House Museum:
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