White Parlor

ne of the best documented rooms in the house, this parlor was included in the construction of the center portion of the house in 1817-1818 but its interior was left unfinished until 1855, probably because Mr. Custis lacked the necessary funds. During these years, it was known as the “big room” and contained old furniture and the finished canvasses of Mr. Custis. On rainy days the Lee children often used it as a playroom. One visitor offered a particularly vivid description of the room's pre-1855 state, “The large room on the left of the front door as you enter next attracts attention, this room occupies as much space as the parlor & dining room, but is unfinished and unfurnished, except for one or two old sofas & tables & many pictures hanging on it's lathed but unplastered walls.”

	View of White Parlor from Center Hall. Click on picture to view QuickTime movie of the room. (204 KB) QuickTime plug-in is required and can be downloaded free at the QuickTime Web site.

When Colonel Lee went to Texas, in 1855, he left instructions for completion of the White Parlor—plastering the walls, installing a crystal chandelier, and painting the walls and woodwork. He also ordered marble mantels for the fireplaces from Europe. Mrs. Lee supervised the progress of the work in her husband's absence. A young lady who saw it in 1856 described it as “a beautiful & noble drawing room, very handsomely furnished and hung too with paintings.”

The new parlor served the family as a reading room and music room. Books of interest to family members in residence were scattered about the room and various instruments were kept here, along with sheet music and stands. Family usage developed this room into the Lee parlor while, by choice, Mr. Custis retained dominion over the old parlor and dining room across the hall.

As completed, this room clearly reflects Robert E. Lee's personal taste and interests. He chose and purchased the mantels, suggested the room's furnishings and even chose the wall color and door stain. He also purchased the furnace and selected the locations for the registers, one of which was in the floor of this room.

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