The Saint Louis 1851 Campbell House Museum Formal Parlour Part Two

Spectacular comes to mind 

while viewing the High Fashioned Victorian Formal Parlour in Saint Louis.  

Walking into this room took my breath away as did all the items 

that were positioned in this State of the Art Victorian CHARMER. 

 Was it pocket change?

Fact or fiction...

Mr. Robert Campbell handed Mrs. Campbell a check 

in the amount of $50,000.00 when she went furniture shopping.

$50K

Believe it to be true since the Docent shared 

this tid-bit of information.

In my opinion, all that worked to make this museum a reality 

certainly did a supreme job.  

Photos circa 1885 were recovered and show first hand how the rooms were arranged.

At present, the Formal Parlour looks gorgeous. 

The Artist is unknown who painted posthumously Mrs. Robert Campbell circa 1885.  
The Parlour painting is a genuine oil portrait of Virginia Campbell 
which hangs above a square rosewood piano that Mary Todd Lincoln liked so much 
she purchased one just like it. 

 ~Antique Rose-carved American Bois-de-rose "Square" Piano~

From Selkirk’s Catalog: "Antique Rose-Carved American Bois-d-Rose "Square" Piano; Schomacker & Co., Philadelphia; {16}; Long rectangular top with hinged frontal panel. The wide frieze, between pearled borders, as likewise the knees of cabriole legs, are magnificently carved with rose blossoms and other flower forms within acanthus scrolls. Voluted French feet are superimposed with acanthus leafage. Length 7 feet."

~Virginia Kyle Campbell~

Jan. 25, 1822 - Jan. 30, 1882

One of Virginia Campbell's many beautiful dresses was on display in the Formal Parlour.
 
I believe this 1876 one piece deep blue silk damask Reception Dress with silk fringe 
is the dress in the portrait painting. 

Our Tour Guide Dennis demonstrated that the piano does work 

and energetically played a tune.

The lovely foot stools were embroidered by Virginia.

GILDED AGE Opulence.

Walking into this room was an experience 

I'm recalling from memory and my photos cause pause.  

http://www.campbellhousemuseum.org/  



I'd love to return and see it all again.
Next, the Morning Room.

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The Saint Louis 1851 Campbell House Museum Formal Parlour

This beautiful High Fashioned Formal Parlour with 1854 Victorian opulence and grand splendor was a pleasure to see while in Saint Louis.  Displaying treasures that the Campbells had collected graced each room.  The entire house is a fine example of a High Fashioned Victorian residence during the Gilded Age.  

The "NEW" wealthy of Saint Louis lived in the newly developed 

Lucas Place neighborhood. 

This building that became the Campbell's 1854 residence was built in 1851 before the Campbells purchased her and would remain the only original Lucas Place residence to stand in present day.  

While here,

I wanted to especially study the window treatments

and color schemes through out the house.  The Parlour has over 40 colors in this room alone.

Photo of the Campbell House circa 1885

 

The extensive Formal Parlour was arranged into three sections with two matching Fireplaces on the outside wall of the house with Bay Window.  As you enter the room you see directly in front of you the Bay Window where this setting area is with fine Tea Service.  As you look to the left of the room there is a different concentrated living area with the front of the house windows.  When looking to the right side of the room another area is present with Piano and windows peeking into an enclosed Day room.

Red Draperies frame the tall windows with wood shutters covered by delicate lace panels that puddle onto the floor.  Decorating 101 would tell you that the puddling of fabric onto the floor indicates wealth because there was no need to stop abruptly and suddenly at the floor without lengthy amounts of overflowing material resting.

~Eloquent Porcelain Tea Service On Silver Tray~

~Painted Ceiling Design~

Built in 1851, the first house in the ele­gant Lucas Place neigh­bor­hood, the Camp­bell House was the home of renowned fur trader and entre­pre­neur Robert Camp­bell and his fam­ily from 1854 until 1938. The museum con­tains hun­dreds of orig­i­nal Camp­bell pos­ses­sions includ­ing fur­ni­ture, paint­ings, cloth­ing, let­ters, car­riages and a unique set of inte­rior pho­tographs taken in the mid-1880s.

The Campbell House Parlour Gasolier is a

Ca. 1855 Cor­nelius & Baker Gasolier later wired for electricity.

 A magnificent mansion.

Part Two to follow.

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The Saint Louis 1851 Campbell House Museum Entryway/Hallway

Entering the CAMPBELL HOUSE MUSEUM, was like walking back in time into a DREAM WORLD.  This Row House magnifies what over the top decorating would have been like back in the day.  By today's standards, in my humble opinion, is still over the top decorating and seriously eloquent.

Museum has been open since about 1943.  I didn't know about it.  Being recently featured in a magazine nudged my attention that there was such a museum.  Still, I thought I'll probably never get to see in person….well, I recently toured this fine example of a Victorian charmer from the GILDED AGE.  The build­ing that is today the Camp­bell House was built in 1851 and was the first home built on Lucas Place.  Robert and Vir­ginia Camp­bell were the third own­ers when they bought the house in 1854, but the his­tory of the ground goes back even further.

http://www.campbellhousemuseum.org/about/

 Saint Louis prides herself with this beautiful example of Victorian CHARM 
in the Downtown area in Lucas Place, the lost neighborhood of the Gilded Age.  

I should think any location would be delighted to have such a beautiful place to share with the public.  Walking through her was a eye opening Field Trip for me to get better acquainted with a time era that truly did exist in the United States of America.


Rang the doorbell and was greeted by pleasant people 
who collected my $8 for a hour long tour.


Through this massive door which leads to the Entryway 
we went.

A beautiful Gasolier hangs in the Entryway
and Hallway.

Original Bust

Stenciling on wall is the original design and color.
After sanding the walls took place, the original stenciling design was discovered.  During remodeling, actual paint chips were given to a company that had original paint formulas and could replicate the original stenciling colors.  

Also, in a Parlour painting of Mrs. Campbell, the stenciling is in the background of the painting showing the way it was.  This answered my questions as to what this fine place's color themes may have looked like back in 1854.

Our Tour Guide Dennis pointing to a actual circa 1885 Entryway photograph 
taken by one of the Campbell's Sons.  
I found Dennis to be very informative and pleasant.

~Looking Downward At Carpet~

Decorating 101 made easy.
The colors found in the carpet mimic the other colors on the Entryway walls.  One way to pull an area together is to repeat wall colors from the room elsewhere such as in the floor coverings that coordinate with the walls.
  

~Looking Upwards Toward Ceiling~

INSIDE the HOME are most of the original furniture and artifacts that were retrieved at a Auction.  Through the years individuals have also returned items to this Saint Louis House Museum. 

  Thank you for stopping by.
Next the Formal Parlour in all her glory.
Something to see.

I know that it takes more to make a place someone's HOME than high ceilings and ornate furniture, but seeing first hand items of the era was a treat to me.   
Lord knows I needed a treat.
  
Better than chocolate,
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Now just a memory.
Original Lucas Place circa 1885.

Feeding Your Family For Less

Ideas to help feed the FAMILY for less.

THE HAPPY CHEAPSKATE

No-Sacrifice Ways to Spend Less Money.

Cheapskates don't live in denial; 

they live well for less while having fun doing it!

COTTAGE CHEESE FLOP
To keep cottage cheese fresh longer, refrigerate it upside down in its original carton.  Cottage cheese can be frozen, although it will breakdown when thawed.  If this happens, whip until creamy and use to cook with.  

FROZEN DEALS
Take advantage of LOWER PRICES when a fruit is in season.  Check for sales of its FROZEN counterparts.  Such as, when FRESH strawberries are available, the demand for frozen strawberries often drops.  STOCK UP and take advantage of buying the frozen strawberries that are in less demand and often go on sale with a lowered price to move product out of store.

FROZEN EGGS
If a recipe calls for just egg whites or yolks, you don't have to waste the remaining part of egg....freeze it for future use.  Way to go.  The incredible egg.  Both egg whites and yolks can be frozen.  Use plastic ice cube trays to freeze.  Add a pinch of sugar or salt to each one to prevent it from coagulating.  After frozen, pop the egg yolk or white out of the tray and store in a labeled, self sealing plastic bag in the freezer. 

FROZEN JUICE
Avoid sugary juice drinks by buying juices made of 100 percent concentrates which cost half as much as regular juice.  Concentrates take up less space in freezer and are just as nutritious.  Buy in BULK when on SALE.

FROZEN MILK
Whole containers of frozen milk take about two days to THAW in the refrigerator.  When there's a great SALE on milk and you have freezer space buy extra and freeze.  Making the MOO JUICE a little more affordable.

POWDERED MILK
When we were so very tight on cash and needed the milk money to stretch, I use to mix up powdered milk and add it to half of regular milk bought from the store.  I'd mix the two together and store in a pitcher in the fridge.  Though I like the taste of milk straight from the store, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to survive. 

SPEAKING OF POWDERED MILK
Buy your store house brand because it's just as good as national brands.  Powdered Milk provides extra calcium and protein when added to fat-free milk, cream soups, omelets, or puddings.  COST LESS than cream.  For richer texture WITHOUT EXTRA FAT, add 2 tablespoons to foods and drinks.  Shelf life is long and keeps really well.

Thank you for stopping by.

Heavenly DAZE and happy day to you,

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Jibber Jabber

Finally I cooled off.....it's 57 degrees outside as the Kansas winds howl.  Of all the mornings I could not find my auto keys to daughter's car that I drive Lil Miss to school in.  Dumping my purse and overnite items, I don't know if they fell out of my purse while I was in St. Louis this past week-end.

Chatting as we quickly walked the distance.  Lil Miss was entering her classroom as the Church bells chimed 8 times.  My lower back was letting me know that she is in terrible shape as I was dripping with sweat in my red car coat.   From my brow and down my back...dripping.  Such fun. 

Arriving home to cool off....it took me 30 minutes to cool down.  30 minutes.  My natural internal thermostat is broken due to not having a thyroid.  Challenges for an old Lady.

Waiting to wash the dishes as our plumbing has backed up and plumber will router root the lines hopefully around noon.  Hubby said he'd drive home to be there and will hand me over his copy of daughter's keys so I can use the car.  If it isn't one thing, it's three.

Please no more.

Remembering Sunday's Lunch in Saint Charles, MO at MISS AIMEE B'S TEA ROOM will have to cheer me up.  Noticing this place over the month lured me in and we had a super pleasant time in the mansion.  Made our long drive HOME more enjoyable.  PICs to follow.

I continue to eat more salads and drink V8.  My old body should respond to this and I pray that I thinned down SOME over the next few years.  Today I got my exercise walking Lil Miss to school and my trip HOME.  Good For Me.

LORD, please HELP me find the keys!
(Update….looked everywhere except in the side zipper pocket of my handbag where I never keep my keys.  Darling daughter found my keys.  I'm so grateful.)

This being the last day of the month, April Fool's Day is on the calendar as the first is tomorrow.

No foolin'....May you have a fruitful day,
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The Woman....

"The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies. A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling."

~ J.R. Miller~

  Excerpt from The Family