[Historic Marker Application: Wood-Hughes House] Page: 7 of 26
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it, and have furnished it with many
items obtained in the Brenham area, in
order to exhibit a house furnished as
it might have been during the period
1897-1935. Other items have been
brought to Brenham from a collection
of many years by Mr. and Mrs. Rich.
FRONT AND STAIR HALLS
Taken together the entrance and stair
halls are approximately 40 ft long. The
double entry foyer is floored in mosaic
tile, and double doors with cut crystal
panels open to the front reception hall.
The converted gas chandelier has been
rehung on a chain from the white and
gold sculptured metal ceilings. The
dowel and ball arches separating the
reception room and the central stair
hall are hand-crafted. The north wall
contains three full length stained,
leaded glass windows reportedly im-
ported from France. Each window con-
tains 128 faceted "bulls eyes" and four
cut crystal fleur-de-lis. On the first
stair landing is a cameo window of
stained, leaded glass. The American
Gothic hall tree, c. 1890,is flanked by
a four piece "family" set, consisting
of a rocker, man's chair and two chil-
dren's chairs, c. 1875.
In the central hall an electric Estee
church organ and a Seeburg mortuary
organ-piano, demonstrate the type of
music available during the period re-
presented. The Seeburg is an automatic
player, dated 1907. The Larkin lady's
desk is of a type common to most homes
in the 1890's. Art glass lamps and
the floor lamp with parchment share
were popular from 1900 to 1925.
The ceiling fan in the central hall
helped circulate air for cooling or
heating, and the oak wall telephone is
similar to the original installed and
this house was one of the first to
have'electricity and a phone in Brenham.PARLOR (Gold Room)
This large room accommodates an 8-piece
Neo-Grec living room suite upholstered in
cut velvet, a Marshall & Wendall Ampico
player grand piano, 5-tiered Victorian
what-not stand displaying Carnival glass,
a piano roll cabinet with japanned panels,
two Sheraton drum tables, and other pieces
of the period. The fireplace with Corin-
thian columns is faced with Majolica tile
and has the original beveled plate glass
mirror. The hearth is also tiled. The
mantel clock and spelter figurines are
from France. The sculptured metal ceil-
ing in apricot tints is unretouched. The
tinted, etched art glass chandelier orig-
inally matched the ceiling as did the
woodwork in this room. Floor-to-ceiling
windows are outfitted with original louv-
ered sliding shutters, which are remov-
able for cleaning.
DRAWING ROOM (Green Room)
One of the outstanding features of this
room is the bird scene door panel on the
west door. This work of art is cut (not
etched) and has an Oriental flavor. The
east door panel is of cut crystal. The
musical instrument in this room is known
as a "Fascinator" and consists of a play-
er mechanism fitted into a large upright
piano which automatically plays piano,
drums, cymbal, Indian wood block, triangle
and xylophone. The saloon table is signed
and dated 1881, and came from a saloon in
Ballinger, Texas. The Wurlitzer piano-
organ, dated 1912, came from a "house of
pleasure" in Louisiana. The Doric col-
umned fireplace is faced with glazed brick
tiling with hearth of Majolica. The art
glass chandelier and early radio represent
the 1920's, and the oak china closet with
curved glass contains Marigold Carnival
glass of the period. As you will note,
rugs throughout the house are in Oriental
designs to complement the decor and color
scheme of each room.DINTNG ROOM (Blue Room)
Although called the Blue Room, becausE
of the blue tinted ceiling in sculpt,,:
metal, the huge art glass chandelier
brass and red sets the mood. Red vel
and gold tasselled draperies complete.
setting of lavish Victorian dining
modations. The chandelier was origins
designed for the Gresham home in Galv,
ton, now known as the "Bishop's Palac:
J.A.Robertson purchased it for his mar--
sion on Sealy Street. For many years
graced a banquet table capable of scr.
32 people. Gov. Ross Sterling was a f:
quent visitor as well as other dignit.
ies and business tycoons. The chandel
was later moved to Brenham and hung fc
many years over the solid mahogany Em.
style dining table, now restored, in t
H. Gardner hcme on South Austin, where
Ruby Gardner Robertson, for 50 yesrs
associated with and editor of the Bre
Banner Press, entertained such persona
as Lyndon Baines Johnson, later Presi
of the United States.
The floor-to-ceiling, built-in wall e
closet contains Haviland Limoges chine
from France, cut glass pitchers, bowl=,
punch bowl and cups, and many other cac
glass items. The curved glass china
cupboard contains a large selection of
Blue Willow ware, above which are dis-
played vases of Angelika Kaufmann, Nipi
and Queen Louisa portrait.
The etagere over the sideboard is from
England.
REAR STAIR HALL (And Wash Room)
The hanging "Gone with the Wind" lamp
was convered to electric by Mr. Rich. 1
framed exhibits of historical interest
line the walls leading upstairs to the
second floor. The wash room contains
original marble basin and mosaic tile:
flooring. Tha lcrge tub with massive
Eagle claw pedestals was formerly _ur-
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Texas Historical Commission. [Historic Marker Application: Wood-Hughes House], text, November 2, 1973; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth477944/m1/7/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.