To continue your tour, return to the Staircase Hall and go right. At the entrance of the corridor, stay to the right and proceed to the octagonal bedroom at the end of the hallway.
This octagon shaped guest room is called the Brown Room on the home’s interphone system. In addition to scenic views and a designated guest bath, overnight visitors staying in this space had a built in closet and use of a small balcony to enjoy the fresh air.
Guests at Lucknow enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities like horseback riding, shooting, fishing, golf, tennis, and rides to the summit of nearby mountains. They may have even been invited for a ride in Tom Plant’s prized boat, the Keen Kutter, on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Take a moment to look around and notice features that demonstrate the Arts & Crafts aesthetic of the home.
The oak floor in this space is an excellent example of the level of fine craftsmanship expected during the construction of Lucknow Mansion. These tongue and groove boards were installed by interlocking the grooved edge of one board with the tongue of the next, creating a tight, seamless fit. The only noticeable nails were hammered into the first and last boards placed, ensuring the entire thing was secure.
Between 2023 and 2024, this room was restored to it’s original appearance, based on traces of original finishes uncovered during the research phase. The paint and wood stain match samples of the original colors and the wallpaper was digitally reproduced from scraps of paper discovered behind the interphone panel in this room. Today, this room looks much the way it would have when the Plants resided here and hosted guests.
