The Empire Bedroom 1825-1850 As in the dining room below, we see the American Empire influence in the heavy, dark and massive furniture. The black walnut bed belonged to the Parrys and was found in the attic. It had to be trimmed slightly to fit in the room. The feather mattress has a hand woven cotton bed coverlet is dated 1840 and signed by it's maker, Andre Krump of Hanover, Pa. Hanover is near Lancaster. The wardrobe acts as the closet. It also belonged to the Parrys and is black walnut. Note the storage boxes and leather top hat box above. We have graduated to whale oil lighting supplemented by candles. The rooms are now much brighter. The fireplace has been adapted to use a coal grate. The canal opened in 1831 and coal from upstate became readily available. Once again the fitted wall-to-wall carpeting is popular. The carpet, bed hangings and drapes are all reproductions of authentic period designs. The sewing table and leather seat mahogany chairs are American Empire. The sewing machine had not yet been invented and this is where the family garments would be made. Over the mantle is a rare primitive painting of locks on the Delaware River as viewed from below New Hope. The Masons Ironstone washstand set has a very pronounced dark green Chinese transfer design called Green Dragon. Even the antique towels are fringed and embroidered by hand. The bureau is classic Empire design with columns similar to the sideboard in the dining room. Note the claw feet. On the bureau is Parry's fitted toilet kit that contains many interesting items in its various layers such as buttonhooks and bootjacks. Hanging on the wall is a sampler of this period that was made by Lydia Ingham who was a friend and neighbor of the Parrys and was the wife of President Jackson's Treasurer of the United States. Click here to move on to the next room