Last updated: June 10, 2024
Place
William Bent's Quarters
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Amenities
2 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Tactile Exhibit
This room was severely eroded; consequently, the excavations were noted by a lack of fallen wall. Parts of this room adjacent to the alley had been disturbed by cedar posts, probably put down during ranching operations after 1880. This room showed evidence of continuous plastering; both the floor and the walls had been coated red, yellow and white. According to Herbert Dick, the white was a gypsum, and the yellow and red were iron oxides (ochers).
As resident manager of the fort, William Bent probably occupied private quarters. Although archaeologists were not able to uncover enough remains in this area to suggest a use, the area is currently interpreted as the living room of William Bent. This is based in part from the drawing of Boggs, who places Bents apartment here, and from Lieutenant Abert's sketch which labels the area as "Bent's rooms."
William Bent was born in St. Louis in 1809. He spent the majority of his life in the far west, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the fur trade, New Mexicans, and the Plains Indians. His marriages with two Cheyenne women resulted in a large and well known family. Most of his children were educated in Missouri, and a son, George Bent, helped chronicle Cheyenne history by writing over 200 letters prior to 1919. One of William's granddaughters, Ada Moore was a well known resident of Bent County, Colorado; other grandchildren were prominent within the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma. During his lifetime William Bent was a trapper, Indian trader, scout, freighter, and Indian Agent. Prior to his death on May 19, 1869, Bent married a third time. His widow Adeline sold his estate of 212 acres in Jackson County, Missouri in 1871. Bent's holdings in Colorado included land along the Purgatoire River near Boggsville, and a stone fort (Bent's New Fort) some 20 miles further east.
Bent's quarters are furnished to reflect the varied cultures which influenced his world. A washstand, desk, and slat-backed chairs represent his Missouri upbringing, but quillwork and buckskin items, such as the Indian tanned saddle pad, indicate Cheyenne influences and the occasional presence at the fort of his wife Owl Woman. A pine safe, ledger books, and a newspaper clipping show a commitment towards business. The hanging Rio Grande blankets and a buffalo robe are typical furnishings. One traveler in 1849 noted "...numerous little tawney Papooses who were sporting on some splendid Mexican blankets", and "...copper colored ladies [who] were reclining on buffalo robes & Mexican blankets...."
This room contained an interesting feature, something like a small closet or alcove along the northeast wall, approximately 4 feet long. No evidence was found to verify its use, though speculation has centered upon a water closet or an inside commode.
As resident manager of the fort, William Bent probably occupied private quarters. Although archaeologists were not able to uncover enough remains in this area to suggest a use, the area is currently interpreted as the living room of William Bent. This is based in part from the drawing of Boggs, who places Bents apartment here, and from Lieutenant Abert's sketch which labels the area as "Bent's rooms."
William Bent was born in St. Louis in 1809. He spent the majority of his life in the far west, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the fur trade, New Mexicans, and the Plains Indians. His marriages with two Cheyenne women resulted in a large and well known family. Most of his children were educated in Missouri, and a son, George Bent, helped chronicle Cheyenne history by writing over 200 letters prior to 1919. One of William's granddaughters, Ada Moore was a well known resident of Bent County, Colorado; other grandchildren were prominent within the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma. During his lifetime William Bent was a trapper, Indian trader, scout, freighter, and Indian Agent. Prior to his death on May 19, 1869, Bent married a third time. His widow Adeline sold his estate of 212 acres in Jackson County, Missouri in 1871. Bent's holdings in Colorado included land along the Purgatoire River near Boggsville, and a stone fort (Bent's New Fort) some 20 miles further east.
Bent's quarters are furnished to reflect the varied cultures which influenced his world. A washstand, desk, and slat-backed chairs represent his Missouri upbringing, but quillwork and buckskin items, such as the Indian tanned saddle pad, indicate Cheyenne influences and the occasional presence at the fort of his wife Owl Woman. A pine safe, ledger books, and a newspaper clipping show a commitment towards business. The hanging Rio Grande blankets and a buffalo robe are typical furnishings. One traveler in 1849 noted "...numerous little tawney Papooses who were sporting on some splendid Mexican blankets", and "...copper colored ladies [who] were reclining on buffalo robes & Mexican blankets...."
This room contained an interesting feature, something like a small closet or alcove along the northeast wall, approximately 4 feet long. No evidence was found to verify its use, though speculation has centered upon a water closet or an inside commode.