National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
In 1938, the room contained an old Singer sewing machine, an oak wash stand, and a
trunk with seventeen blankets for use by the help. 992 By 1940, the sewing machine and trunk had
been removed, and a white chair had been added to the room. 993
No curtains are reported in the 1938 or 1940 inventories. 994 Period hardware for roller
shades remains on the window, and modern curtains have been added. The floor is hardwood.
There was no rug in the room in 1938, but by 1940 a blue rug had been added. 995 The room is lit
by a plain electric wall sconce with a pull chain.
The conversion of the Maid's Room to the Housekeeper's Sitting Room caused a shift in
a number of room uses. Prior to the conversion, this room was likely a room for a servant. After
the conversion, the maid probably relocated to the former Sewing Room, and sewing moved to
this room. From 1927 to 1938, it served as a sewing and pressing room. It is currently storage.
Room (MM&W: No. 5, Farley: Bath, Curry: Bathroom)
McKim's plan indicated this as room "No. V" and it is similar in size to neighboring
rooms. The housekeeper's key closet labels it simply, "Room." As built, the room was narrowed
significantly from the plan. Its door opens with key 42, as does the Sewing and Pressing Room to
the east, but the key is not out-of-series like those for doors added after construction in other
areas of the Servants' Hall.
The room is painted green and a baseboard and chair rail survive on the west wall.
Unlike the other bathrooms in the service rooms, this has no vent, marble, or tile. Its sink and
toilet are of a more recent vintage than those in other bathrooms in the house. The sink is
porcelain rather than marble, and the toilet is not a water closet. It is unclear whether a tub was
installed. An NPS-era shower stall has been added.
By 1938, the room was a bathroom and contained a white painted chair. 996 The 1940
inventory lists the chair and a towel rack. 997
The flooring is modern linoleum over plywood sub-flooring. There is no evidence of the
tile floor or marble wainscot found in other bathrooms. The period lighting has been removed.
It appears that the room was modified during the construction process to its current size. The
shared key may or may not suggest a relationship to the next room. The conversion to a bath
appears to have occurred after construction and before 1927, as Mrs. Farley makes no reference
to an earlier use for the room. The NPS alterations to the fixtures were likely made to
accommodate the Secret Service in 1942. On January 27, 1942, Frederick Traudt notes,
"Telephone Co. putting in new cable for Secret Service." On January 30, he notes, "Prepared
Mansion 3 rd floor for Secret Service." On February 1, he notes, "Secret Service men moved
in." 998
992
Curry Inventory, 93.
993
Hopkins, 40.
994
Curry Inventory, 93; Hopkins, 40.
995
Hopkins, 40.
996
Curry Inventory, 93.
997
Hopkins, 40.
998 Traudt.
175