Mabel Hartzell House Tour – Master Bedroom

The master bedroom features several belongings of the Earley family.

• Bed, dresser and dry sink – This set belonged to Matthew and Mary Early and is of the Renaissance Revival style. It was purchased in 1870.
• The wash stand and all of the items on it belonged to the Earleys. The tooth brushes are ivory handled with camel hair bristles.
• Crazy quilt on the bed was made by Mary Earley in 1893-94. The design depicts things that were of interest to her and the fabric consisted of discarded clothing and household scraps.

The armoire behind the door is notable of this period of homes. Homes were taxed according to how many rooms were in the house and a closet would be counted as a room. Hence, closets were not included in house plans.

The sewing machine is a product of the partnership of Nathaniel Wheeler and Allen B. Wilson. Wilson started work on his first sewing machine in 1851, his machines were manufactured between that year and 1856 by the Wheeler, Wilson Company of Watertown, New York. In 1856, the company moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut and was renamed the Wheeler and Wilson Manufacturing Company, becoming the largest maker of sewing machines in the 1850s and 1860s. From 1905 to 1907, Wheeler and Wilson machines were built by the Singer Company.

The writing desk and chair belonged to Daniel W. Crist when he was in the State House in the early 1900s. He was a State Representative and the desk and chair were given to him when he retired. Notice the initials “OHR” on the back of the chair. This is one of a very few of these chairs in existence today.

Next, we’ll visit the child’s bedroom.