National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
roller shades, although Alfred Martin noted, "As best I can remember there were no curtains." 883
The Kitchen is lit by a three-bulb ceiling fixture with a milk-glass reflector hung over the center
work table and single bulb wall sconces with milk-glass shades mounted over the sink and the
speaking tube. All fixtures operated on pull cords until conversion of the electrical system by
the NPS.
The Kitchen was the hub of the kitchen offices which included the Scullery,
Dumbwaiter, Refrigerator, and Kitchen Store Closet. Food preparation for family, guests, and
staff took place here. Serving dishes were stored in the dresser while other dinnerware was kept
in the Butler's Pantry and Service Pantry. Harold Farley, whose parents worked on the estate,
remembered as a child that cooks and other staff had coffee at a small table at the window
between the sink and the scullery door. 884 Doug Crapser also remembered Mr. Farley sitting in
a straight chair next to the pastry table by the southeast window having coffee and talking with
others seated at a table under the clock covered with a red and white cloth. 885 He recalled that,
"the chef and cook and other kitchen help used [it] for meals as well as for coffee breaks. . . ." 886
By 1962, the Kitchen was used as an NPS staff lunch room. 887
Scullery
The Scullery adjoins the Kitchen to the north and the Dumbwaiter to the west. It differs
slightly from McKim's plan in that its west wall was built at a slight angle to accommodate the
service stair hall to the west. The ceiling, walls, and flooring are identical to the Kitchen, but
with a narrower tile border in the floor. The swinging door to the Dumbwaiter has a clear glass
window for safety.
The sink is porcelain with wooden drain boards, both heavily worn and cracked. The
spigots are marked "The Meyer Sniffen Co., Ltd." The grease trap is marked "The 'Tucker'
Grease Trap Mfgd by The Meyer Sniffen Co. Limited, New York." A call bell is installed inside
the east door.
Wear and dirt in the flooring indicate the location of a piece of furniture on the south
wall. It apparently had side panels extending to the floor and an open front. Its base measured
approximately 45" x 14". No furnishings are indicated on either inventory. Mary Allt recalled a
marble top table in this room, which she referred to as the "pastry room." 888 Currently a
reproduction food barrel has been added to the room, but its use here is inappropriate.
The north window has at least three sets of nailing evidence for blinds or sheers as well
as a current NPS roller shade. The room is lit by a single electric wall sconce with a milk-glass
shade mounted over the sink.
The Scullery was used by the kitchen girl to wash serving pieces returned to the Kitchen
via the Dumbwaiter and to clean cooking pots and utensils.
883
Martin, Letter, October 1, 1970.
884
Harold Farley, typescript from unrecorded interview, January 24, 1979, unn.
885
Crapser, 2.
886
Crapser, unn.
887
Conversation with Harmon Simmons, January 21, 1999.
888 Partridge, unn.
159