Reception Room

The room to the left, as one enters, is referred to as the reception room but it had a variety of uses. If a visitor had business to transact with Mr. McHenry, it could be handled in this room without disturbing the rest of the household. Both Robert McHenry and his son, Oramil, had lingering illnesses so a bed was installed in this room. Visitors who came to pay their respects could do so without going upstairs to the bedrooms on the second floor.

The décor of this room, was well as the rest of the house, is based on photographs of typical homes of this period that reflects a similar economic status.  The draperies are based on illustrations in a book, The Curtain Maker’s Handbook. It was published in 1888. The lace curtains are reproductions of the period and were woven in Scotland. As was the fashion of the time, they “puddle” on the floor. This could be interpreted as a sign of one’s wealth since they could afford extra lace. Or from a more practical point of view, lace when laundered, had a tendency to shrink unevenly, so it made sense to have additional lace to compensate for this. This meant that no one would know if the curtains were of unequal length.

The fireplace was the only source of heat. Because of its size, it probably burned coal which was shipped in by railroad. Wood also could have been used but would have had to have been cut to a small size. The mantel is not original to the mansion but is of the period. It is cast iron and decorated with oriental-influenced diagonal lines and partial circles. The gilt mirror resting on the mantel is in the Eastlake style as is the fire screen. Fire screens were not only decorative elements but also had the practical use of deflecting heat emanating from the fire so that one would not get too warm on one’s side facing the fire. The screen has a painting reflecting oriental influences on the front; the other side features needlework.

The parlor set in this room has a local provenance. The Perkins/Tillson family, who purchased this set in the 1870s, owned the Modesto Lumber Company. It was given to the Mansion by descendants. This set is quite sophisticated and is in the Louis XVI style. It is upholstered in reproduction black horsehair and has a walnut and ebonized frame.

The ebonized étagère is in the Eastlake style. Étagères have been referred to as “a museum in the home”. The multitude of display surfaces provided the perfect location to feature treasures brought back from trips, decorative objects reflecting the owner’s taste or family photographs. Oramil’s picture is in the shell frame.

The other ebonized Eastlake style piece is a parlor cabinet. It was used for storage as well as a means to display additional artistic and decorative treasures.

Above this piece are framed portraits of Matilda McHenry and Robert McHenry.

The wallpaper is a reproduction paper made by Bradbury and Bradbury and the carpet is from the looms of Woodward Grosvenor.

The hardware on the door to this room is all original to the house. In some instances, it was necessary to use other period hardware or reproductions on the doors in other parts of the house.