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Take a Tour Mansion First Floor |
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| Great Hall |  |
The great hall is literally and figuratively the center of the Hampton estate. It defines the axis along which the entire estate was designed. Looking north, the axis points to a rock outcropping by the home farm--to the south it goes through the center of the formal gardens. Inside, the hall was used for entertaining, as many as 50 people could be served formal dinners. Children played in the hall. Weddings were held there for family members and for slaves. |
| Dining Room |  |
Here the Ridgely family ate most of their meals. Elaborate meals, served on fine china and silver by liveried slaves, were designed to impress guests with the family's taste and wealth. |
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Parlor |
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Lifestyles and room uses changed over time. For most of the family's life in Hampton , the parlor was primarily for the use of family and close friends. |
| Drawing Room |  |
This was the formal room in the house, usually reserved for important guests or special occasions. The black and gold, Baltimore Fancy or painted furniture is a wonderful set. It was custom made for this room in 1832 by John and Hugh Finlay. |
| Music Room |  |
Before radios and record players were invented, gentry families taught their children to sing, dance, and play music. The Music Room was the scene of family singalongs and other informal entertainment. |
History
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Resources for Teachers
Last Modified: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 09:39:24 Eastern Standard Time
http://www.nps.gov/archive/hamp/virtualtour/vtfirstfloor.htm
Author: William Blair Curtis
E-mail:
The park's Superintendent