| Ware-Lyndon House Tour |
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Tour Summary
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1. Front Hall
Large center halls encouraged movement of air through the house and were used as rooms not merely as passages. The home was originally lit with gas that was manufactured on the property. All hanging chandeliers are electrified gasoliers. This staircase is a reproduction of the1850’s one which was removed in 1920. Most of the furnishings in the hall range in date from the 1820’s to the 1830’s of the early American Empire period. The portraits are of Dr. and Mrs. Lyndon.. |
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2+3. Double Parlor
These rooms, done in the Rococo Revival style of the mid 1850’s, represent the time of the wealthy, prominent, doctor/businessman Edward Ware. The shell in the decorative cornice plaster work is used as a unifying theme, seen in the mantels, the ceiling medallions and the decorative surrounds of the round Lyndon mirrors, returned to their original sites by family members. The new fashion of using sets of furniture is reflected in the authentic 10 piece Belter suite in the front parlor. Another aspect of the new style included matching drapery.
The less formal back parlor was used regularly by the family for their private entertainment, including music, games, reading aloud and letter writing. Featured here are a Lexington, Ga, made secretary bookcase and settee and gentleman’s chair once owned by Washington, Ga. native Robert Toombs, Secretary of State of the Confederate States of America. |
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4. Historic Display Room
The simplicity of ornamentation in this room indicates that it was originally a bedroom. It is now dedicated to a non-static collection of artifacts and photographs pertinent to Athens, renowned Athenians, Athens landmarks and 19th century medicine.
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5. Lyndon Parlor
This room is an eclectic mix that represents the c.1850 mid Victorian (parlor set), the c. 1870 late Victorian (Renaissance Revival over mantel mirror and chair) and c. 1880 Eastlake (mantel and bookcase) styles. Such a mix would have been typical of a well traveled, prominent family such as the Lyndons. Including Mozelle Lyndon’s wedding dress there are several Lyndon family pieces: the settee, the Renaissance Revival chair, the oriental print, Majolica vase with feathers and books, family photos and decorative pieces in the Eastlake bookcase.. |
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6. Back Hallway
The secondary or rear staircase connects to the main stair landing. This room was primarily a passage from the outside kitchen, represented by the small herb garden, to the dining room through ‘the warming kitchen’/butler’s pantry now a bathroom and storage area. The sideboard came to the house from it’s original site in an Oglethorpe County plantation house. |
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7. Dining Room
During restoration the l9th century faux graining and murals were discovered under layers of sheetrock and lath and plaster. Though seriously damaged these decorative elements have been repaired and restored by local artists.
Of special note among the American Empire dining room furnishings is the 1840’s sideboard belonging to Athenian William M. Browne, Brigadier General, and Assistant Secretary of State of the Confederate States of America.
The furnishings are similar to those of the two leading Victorian families, the Wares and the Lyndons who lived and entertained lavishly in their stylish and prominently situated home. |
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