Ware-Lyndon Historic House Museum Docent Program
Lyndon House Arts Center 211 Hoyt Street Athens, GA 30601 706-613-3623 accgov.com/lyndonhouse The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department
Ware-Lyndon Historic House Fast Facts The Lyndon House Arts Center’s galleries and studios are of contemporary design yet compatible with the historic house. Special consideration was given to the placement and height of the Arts Center addition so that it would serve the growing needs of the community and without diminishing the visual presence of the front of the property. The architects even incorporated a piece of the original ironwork from the historic house in the contemporary building. Look up at the second floor balcony! The new facility includes: • Special Studios -Clay, Jewelry, Sculpture/Woodworking, Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Fiber, and Children’s Art Making • Gallery Shop featuring the work of local artists and craftpersons • Reception Area • Community Room, designed for gatherings of all sorts, has an adjoining lounge and catering kitchen. • Seven Galleries -featuring frequently changing exhibitions, reflecting excellence in the arts, relevant topics, and regional interests • Classes, workshops, lectures, and community events
Ware-Lyndon Historic House Timeline C. 1840 - Plantation house is built on present site. 1848 - Dr. Ware moves in. 1880 - The house is sold to Dr. Lyndon. 1919 - The Lyndon family sells the house, two years after Dr. Lyndon’s death. The family moves to Washington, Georgia. 1939 - House is purchased by the city of Athens. It becomes the city’s second publicly owned property (The city hall was the first) and soon to be part of Athens Leisure Services. 1950-1975 - The house is used for a variety of community programs, including scout meetings, choir rehearsals, USO dances, and even a preschool. The grounds were also used for community sporting events. 1975 - The house is the location of Athens’ first government sponsored art program. Founders Nancy and Ronnie Lukasiewicz launch the anchor commemorative professional art show, The Annual Juried Exhibition.
1993 - Visual Arts Task Force is assembled to formulate a plan to meet the growing need for increased space for classes, exhibits, meetings, and arts events. 1994 - A not-for-profit tax-exempt organization, the Lyndon House Arts Foundation, is founded to spearhead an expansion project. A grassroots effort including artists, musicians, individuals and local businesses raises funds to draft a proposal. This effort includes hiring an architect, the production of a narrative description of the plans, cost estimates, and professional architectural drawings. The proposal is presented to several possible funding sources, including the city, as a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum. In November, the proposal is accepted by the SPLOST Citizens Selection Committee and subsequently approved by voters in Athens and Clarke county. 1999 - The contemporary Lyndon House Arts Center opens to the public August 21. The new Ware-Lyndon Historic House Committee is charged with completing an appropriate restoration of the original structure and for the selection and reinterpretation of the special furnishings and decorative collections. Today, the Historic House Committee is a subcommittee of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.
Ware-Lyndon House Rooms (Notable Features) Italianate design, brick construction, originally built as Greek Revival, facade included original wooden columns Built in 1840 by Dr. Edward Ware Remodeled in 1880s as Italianate by Dr. Edward Lyndon including elaborate iron grillwork Only remaining house in prominent Lickskillet neighborhood Museum of decorative arts when Lyndon House Arts Center opened in 1999 Historic House Museum on National Registry DINING ROOM Largest single room in house Floral friezes and faux woodgrain wainscotting Large gilded over-mantel mirrors-Renaissance Revival style White Italian marble mantelpiece Iron and brass Rococo fireplace set Banquet table c. 1830 Mahogany, with leaves, 12 feet long 1930s dining chairs Flip top card table, 1830s from New York or Boston Left sideboard, belonged to Gen. William Brown of Athens Right sideboard made in Oglethorpe County ATHENS AREA HISTORIC DISPLAY ROOM Originally a bedroom - now ephemera of Athens history, including early Doctors’ equipment - up to early Bull Dawg items and Hanna Bat Co. FRONT HALL Hallways used as rooms not only passageways 1855 Rococo gasolier. Grapes leaves Empire sofa 1804. The Lyndon’s portraits, Mr. Edward Lyndon’s done by well known artist Lucy Stanton c. 1905 Argon lamp c. 1825, used whale oil, luxury because whale oil was scarce and expensive. 2 part Federal mirrors c. 1825-2 parts because expensive to manufacture as one piece. DOUBLE PARLOR Restored in the style of the Ware era Rococo gasoliers 1850s 1850s mirrors add light to room Round mirrors returned to house by Lyndon family 1850s white mantelpiece not original to house Pocket doors
Furniture on wheels to arrange the room as needed for family and social events Rooms could be combined for large parties FRONT PARLOR 10 piece rosewood Parlor Set by John Henry Belter, carpenter in New York Steaming and molding layers of wood. During restoration layers of German newspapers dated 1856. Center Rococo mahogany table 1850s Called “turtle top” because of curving sides and four feet BACK PARLOR Usually family use only 1860 Webber grand piano, square design based on clavichord Sheet music from Savannah from 1860s-hand colored Ucelin instrument-stringed instrument owned by Lyndon family 3 piece set on mantel in Jenny Lind pattern Sofa and chairs once owned by Robert Toombs, a politician from Washington GA Empire secretary desk-made in Athens in 1845 LYNDON PARLOR Gentlemen’s room, restored to 1880s period Slate mantel, faux finished to resemble natural stone 1855 iron and brass gasoliers Heavy draperies, double festooned typical of Victorian era Regina Music box original metal disks. Became obsolete with arrival of phonograph Wedding gown worn by Mozelle Lyndon in 1847-photos of daughter and Mozelle in dress. Vase Majorca, wedding gift to the Lyndon’s from Italy UPSTAIRS BEDROOM Ware bed, most traveled tobacco leaf design Ghost stories hand crank cradle stepping stool and toilet GARDEN Brick footprints of gas works, kitchen and playhouse medicinal plantings hand formed bricks Parterre, formal garden design
Select pieces and facts about the decorative art collection.
C. 1804 Empire Style Sofa LOCATION: Central Hallway
The earliest items in the hall date from
Century. Lion paw feet, scrolled arms and
with American Empire. The lion paw
the late eighteenth or early nineteenth
classical carving on the sofa crest were
footed legs are somehwhat heavier
century. The large Italian landscape over
made fashionable by French, English,
than earlier examples and have a robust
the sofa is a wonderful example of Classic
and later American tastes. The unique
style of carving indicating a slightly later
Romanticism in Europe that inspired the
carved frieze panels below the seat on
date than the sofa that they flank. This
French Empire style of decorative arts.
each side were copied directly from
arrangement is typical of furniture being
The oversized painting highlighted the
George Hepplewhite’s Pattern Book of
used from one generation to another,
tall ceilings that were fashionable in the
1804. Before springs were developed
particularly in halls and other living
homes of wealthy southerners as early as
in the 1830’s, only a padded cushion
areas. Parlor and dining rooms often
1800. Seacoast towns, such as Charleston
softened the seat. The springs were
boasted the most modern and up to date
and Savannah, had dealers importing
added typically after 1840 when these
furnishings, with older furnishings being
such paintings. The original frame on this
sofas were reupholstered. A pair of
pushed to other areas of the house as
painting possesses many of the Empire
Empire, mahogany, flip-top side tables are
they were in the Ware-Lyndon House.
decorative ornaments made famous by
on either side of the sofa. These c.1825
the Napoleonic era.
tables are veneered with matchbook
The long, formal Empire style sofa
mahogany veneers in a fan shape on the
reflects the classical lines associated
tabletop. The carved pedestals show
with the first quarter of the Nineteenth
elements of 1820-30’s design associated
Portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Lyndon hang above two card tables in the central hallway. The portraits, were painted early in the twentieth century. Athens artist Lucy Stanton painted Dr. Lyndon’s portrait about 1905. Elusina Focardi painted Mrs. Lyndon in 1904; the one seen here is a copy of the original, which is in the family’s posession. Mrs. Lyndon is wearing a diamond brooch that has been a
c.1900
family heirloom for many generations.
Portrait of Dr. Lyndon
Artist Lucy May Stanton was born in Atlanta,
by Lucy Stanton
Georgia on May 22, 1875. By age seven, she
LOCATION:
was already showing great promise as a
Central Hallway
painter. Throughout her adult life, Stanton traveled extensively doing exhibitions and teaching art and art history. She was most noted for the unique style of her miniatures, which won her numerous awards and critical acclaim. Collections of her work are housed in many of America’s finest museums, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Georgia Museum of Art. Emory University also houses a large collection of her miniatures. In her later years, Stanton lived in Athens with her sister, continuing to paint from a studio she had constructed in 1910. She died in Athens on March 19, 1931, and was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery. Relatively little is known about the other artist, Elusina Focardi.
1904 Portrait of Mrs. Lyndon by Elusina Focardi LOCATION: Central Hallway
1825 Argon Lamp LOCATION: Central Hallway
The central hallway features an Argon
carved fruit and foliage spraying forth
given to neoclassicism in America after
Lamp located in front of a gold leaf
from the lion feet. The three silvered
the establishment of the federal system
Federal two-part mirror. The American
mirrors above the lower shelf are
of government in 1789. Characteristic
Empire table dates to around 1825.
surrounded by rosewood veneers. These
accents of Federalist pieces include the
The
a
mirrors, as well as the finish, are original.
use of Roman symbols to represent the
particularly opulent, archeological form
On top sits a c.1825 two-armed brass
new American Eagle, wheat sheaves, and
of neoclassicism (1804-1815) closely
Argon lamp. Argon lamps burn whale
the use of ornamental moldings, swags,
identified with the tastes of Napoleon
oil, which runs by gravity from the tank
lyres, urns, and exotic creatures (dolphins,
Bonaparte, The American version of
in the center urn to the arms. Air was
lions, sphinxes, and griffins). Two-part
Empire style appeared between 1810 and
pulled through tiny openings near the
mirrors were often used because sheet
1830. While similar to “Federal” works
burner to help make the flame more
glass before the late 1830’s was quite
with utilized classically inspired motifs,
intense than candle light. Blown glass
expensive and smaller mirror panels
Empire works also include Napoleonic
globes were etched and cut to surround
were more economical. The mirror’s
emblems (Bees, Giants, and the letter N),
the flame and soften the light. Chimneys
original silvering behind the glass is
and Egyptian ornamentation, an allusion
directed the flame upward and kept the
aging and flaking resulting in fogging and
to the Emperor’s successful North
flame steady. The lamp and all elements
spotting of the original mirror surface.
African campaign. This table displays
are original and in functional order.
excellent carved capitals on the columns,
The gilded two-part Federal mirror is
carved lion feet, as well as the intricately
c.1825. The term “Federal” is the name
term
“Empire”
refers
to
c. 1856 10-piece Rosewood Parlor Set built by John Henry Belter Pattern: Rosalie With Grapes LOCATION: Double Parlor [Front]
The front parlor contains a 10-piece
Revival-style furniture. The name Belter
discovered German language newspapers
rosewood parlor set built by John
eventually became synonymous with this
which Belter was known to place
Henry Belter, perhaps the most famous
style of mid-nineteenth century parlor
between the wood and the cloth of his
maker
and bedroom furniture.
upholstered pieces. These papers were
furniture. The furniture of John Henry
The process involved gluing seven thin
dated to 1856. A photo of the newspaper
Belter is interesting in the history and
sheets of rosewood together and using
is kept on the rosewood etagere to the
development of furniture design in that it
a steam press to form the strong curves
left of the front parlor door. The small
combines both the handwork traditions
of the backs and sides of this furniture.
brass rollers under the legs are original
of the past and the use of lamination and
Most surfaces were flat with highly
with all pieces. The upholstery on this
steam pressure that look to the future.
carved or pierced decorations on the
set and the walnut set in the rear parlor
Belter, one of the hundreds of immigrant
most expensive pieces.The pattern called
is a replica of the 1850’s damask used
Germans working in the New York
Rosalie With Grapes was developed for a
for suites of furniture and draperies. To
furniture trade at the mid-nineteenth
plantation house in Natchez, Mississippi,
highlight the damask pattern, the Belter
century, attained fame in his time as the
and was a very popular pattern. This set
set is without tufting, as was the original.
inventor of a patented process by which
is called “Rosalie Without Grapes.” Many
laminated layers of wood, under steam
other cabinetmakers copied Belter’s
pressure, could be shaped in molds to
style or tried to ‘break’ his patent.
provide strong, curving backs for his
Authenticating
intricately carved and pierced Rococo
the upholstery of two side chairs were
of
mid-Victorian
American
this
set, underneath
C. 1845 Empire Secretary desk Characteristic of Georgia/ Regional furniture Styles and Material LOCATION: Double Parlor [rear] The large c.1845 Empire secretary desk against the rear wall was made in the Athens area. It is very similar to other secretaries owned by descendants of local families. Regional characteristics often seen on local case furniture* from the time period include the plain 45 degree angle rake cornice, relatively tall desk case, rather flat burl mahogany wooden knobs on even fine pieces, and raised flat panels on the doors and drawer fronts. These particular proportions, Georgia yellow pine secondary wood, and scroll and pillar feet are common to much Athens antebellum furniture. Inside the bookcase top of the secretary are books and other items of Lyndon and other Athens area families. The handsome Old Paris inkwell on the desk fall front was made around 1850. * items of furniture that are built with interior compartments for storage
1860 Square Piano Manufactured by Webber, New York LOCATION: Double Parlor [rear]
The c.1860 square grand piano is a
hit the string. In the 1780s some of these
experimenting with upright designs for
Webber and was manufactured in New
problems were rectified, particularly
many years, but the Americans persisted
York. It features carved grape clusters
the double action, but the instrument
with
on the cabriole legs. This was the most
still had no escapement. In 1825, it
commercial square pianos were built in
fashionable case style during the mid-
was an American, Alpheus Babcock,
England in around 1860, but in America,
nineteenth century. The origins of the
who developed the first iron frame for
production continued for more than
square piano can be traced directly to
the piano, which enabled far greater
twenty years. On the piano music rack
the clavichord, with which it shares a
tension to be applied to the strings.
is sheet music printed by J. C. Screiner
rectangular (not square) shape
Jonas Chickering took the design a stage
& Son, Macon and Savannah, Georgia,
further and most other manufacturers
during the 1860’s War period. An 1854
soundboard. The keyboard is positioned
followed suit.
Piano-Forte Primer and a ucelin, a
along one of the broad sides, and the
By the 1840s, the square piano was as
stringed instrument once owned by
strings run horizontally at right angles to
wide as a medium sized grand piano, and
a Lyndon family member, add to the
the keys. The early square pianos were
heavier. In the concert hall, the square
musical tableau. Two framed sheet music
crude. The action had no escapement,
piano had one advantage over the grand
covers hang on the wall over the piano.
making it impossible to play the same
piano: the direct line of view from the
These c.1840’s prints were hand colored
note repeatedly, nor was there any form
audience to the pianist. But for domestic
by ‘shop girls’ during the emerging
of hammer check, meaning that the
use people wanted something smaller.
factory period in New England.
hammer could easily bounce back and re-
European
and
basic
layout
of
strings
and
manufacturers
had
been
the
square
format. The
last
1897 Mozelle Lyndon Wedding Dress LOCATION: Lyndon Parlor
The wedding dress worn first in 1897 by
suit look, known by its French name
fashion experts assert that it was the
Mozelle Lyndon, is displayed in a cabinet
“taleur.” In this new epoch, the sinuous
evolution of ladies undergarments that
from a late Victorian clothing store in
figure retained through the use of a
lead the revolution of ladies fashion
Elberton, Georgia. This cabinet retains its
corset, was accented by a skirt that was
in the Victorian age. After 1910 the
first electric ceiling fixture dating from
flat at the waist and spread out at the
corset had begun to fall out of fashion.
about 1905. The dress itself is an ideal
base like a bell. As is the case here, the
As the waistline was suppressed, the
example of ladies fashion from 1885-
top portion, or jacket, contrasted with
bodice grew in importance, the collar
1890 and demonstrates the dramatic
the fabric of the skirt, was further offset
was abandoned and necklines began to
transformations ladies’ “silhouettes” had
by
exaggerated “leg-of-mutton”
plunge. The Lyndon dress represents
undergone since 1870. Previously the
sleeves. Typically dresses of this style
a respectable neckline for the time. A
trend had been inspired by volume and
made use of stiff high standing collars that
notoriously plunging neckline of the
bulk, including the use of small cushion,
helped the wearer hold the head erect (a
same period is seen the painting known
or bustle, to support the skirt. However
stately pose). The neckline of this dress
as Madame X (1883-1884) by American
as the century drew to a close designers
was changed, when the dress was worn
painter John Singer Sargent.
turned away from the pouf of previous
by Mozelle’s daughter (See photos to
decades, and embraced a more tailored
left and right of dress). Many historical
the
Another highlight of this room is the
As one observer noted in 1896, “the
$18.50 and $11.25 respectively. Folios of
large oak Regina music box on its original
list of tunes increases every day, and is
sheet music (120 - 200 pages) cost $.30
stand with its many original metal disks.
already large and varied enough to meet
to $.45. The lifespan of the disc box was
The player has never been refinished, is
the taste of every purchaser. The metallic
from about 1890 to about 1915. It was
operable, and is used for demonstrations.
tune sheets are easily interchanged, thus
the introduction of the phonograph that
The Regina Music Box, according to
making it possible for each individual box
ultimately ended the production of large-
one advertisement, was “the Queen
to play an unlimited variety of airs.” The
scale music boxes in the early twentieth
of Automatic
Instruments.”
Regina tune sheets were steel discs; the
century.
The first of its kind ever manufactured
title and logo were screen printed onto
in America, it surpasses anything of a
them.The tongue of metal from each slot
similar nature manufactured by anyone
was bent down and back up on itself,
anywhere. The mechanism of these
forming a U shape underneath the tune
music boxes was entirely different from
sheet. Other manufacturers used plain
any other. Interchangeable music sheets
slots or different shapes of metal tongues
were used instead of the round cylinder
to get around patent restrictions.
found in the old style music box.” Regina
Information available from historic ads
discs were interchangeable between all
revealed that the largest, top of the line
their boxes of the same size, and were
Regina originally sold for approximately
available for many years. Furthermore,
$200. Smaller less ornate versions were
the Regina was an extremely solid music
available for $75. Extra tune sheets cost
box, and parts were interchangeable thus
$0. 75 each. By contrast, Sears sold pianos
the manufacturer could supply duplicates
for $125 to $169, and organs for $38.95
of any part that might be broken by
to $56.00. The best violin cost $46.95;
accident or otherwise.
the stylish autoharps and accordions cost
Musical
1895 Regina Music Box LOCATION: Lyndon Room
Historic Timeline 1850 – 1940
1850s
1851
Isaac Singer invents a sewing machine
1855
James Clerk Maxwell invents the first practical method for color photography,
1860s
1861
American Civil War begins/ends in 1865
1863
The University of Georgia temporarily suspends classes, a move that lasts until 1866
1865
Abraham Lincoln assassinated
1865 The Abolishment of Slavery – the 13th Amendment to the US constitution is ratified 1867 Alfred Nobel invents Dynamite 1868
Two former slaves, Alfred Richardson and Madison Davis, are elected in April as the first two black
men ever to represent Clarke County in the state legislature
1870s
1873 Development of first color photographs 1875
Oconee County is split off from Clarke County
1876 Alexander Graham Bell has a patent granted for the telephone 1877 Thomas Edison invents the first working phonograph 1879 Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison both patent a functional incandescent light bulb
1880s
1885 John Kemp Starley invents the modern bicycle 1886
Coca-Cola history began with the curiosity of an Atlanta pharmacist, Dr. John S. Pemberton
1887 James Blyth invents the first wind turbine used for generating electricity 1888
John J. Loud invents the ballpoint pen
1888 Dr. John S. Pemberton, creator of Coca-Cola, passes
1890s
1891
The first electric streetcar runs on June 23 on Prince and Milledge Avenues, as well as Boulevard, Barber,
and Lumpkin Streets
1892
Lèon Bouly invents the cinematograph
1895 Guglielmo Marconi invents a system of wireless communication using radio waves 1895
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen invented the first radiograph (x-rays)
1898
Spanish-American War. US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines
1900s 1902
Willis Carrier invents air conditioning
1903 The Wright brothers invent the first gas mortared and manned airplane 1904
Present-day Athens-Clarke County City Hall is complete
1905
Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity, E = mc2
1906
William Kellogg invents cornflakes
1909 Instant coffee was invented by G. Washington 1909
The first television broadcast, is carried out by Georges Rignoux and A. Fournier
1910s
1914 World War I beins 1918 World War I ends
1920s
1923
Carving begins on Stone Mountain
1928
Bubble gum is invented by Walter E. Diemer
1928
Athens’ first radio station, WTFI, begins broadcasting
1929
Sanford Stadium opens at the University of Georgia to host football games
1930s
1933
FM radio is patented by inventor Edwin H. Armstrong
1938
“Z1” built by Konrad Zuse is the first freely programmable computer in the world
1939
World War II begins
1940s
1945
The atomic bomb is first successfully developed by the United States
1945
World War II ends
1946
Sir James Martin invents the ejector seat, inspired by the death of his friend and test pilot Captain
Valentine Baker in an airplane crash in 1942
1948
The Georgia Museum of Art opens in its first location, the basement of Piedmont Library
1950s 1953
The first video tape recorder is invented by Norikazu Sawazaki
1957
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, is built and launched by the Soviet Union
1960s
1960
The first functioning laser is invented by Theodore Maiman
1961 Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes are the first African-Americans to attend the
University of Georgia
1968
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Riots in Albany, Fort Valley, Macon, and Savannah
1970s 1971
Email is invented by Ray Tomlinson
1974
Charles Mack becomes the first African-American elected to Athens City Council
1974
Lyndon House Arts Center becomes Athens’ first government sponsored community arts program
Docent Notes