LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 by Lynne Belluscio On the east side of the main hall are the two parlors. It is said that Charlotte Le- Roy had afternoon tea in the back parlor while the govern- ess served chamomile tea to the children. Traditionally the front parlor was closed off and not used unless there were vis- itors or a wedding or funeral. The parlors have been ded- icated to the story of Ingham University which was located across the street. The Chan- cellor, Samuel Cox lived in the house from 1856 until 1864. The front parlor is furnished with furniture in the East- lake style, circa 1870 – 1880. Even the gas chandelier with its geometric design is in the Eastlake style. The tall corner cupboard is in the Colonial Revival style, popular during the Centennial celebration in 1876. Above the mantle is a portrait of Jennie Modisette by noted artist Seymour Guy. Jennie graduated from Ing- ham University in 1875 and married a wealthy industri- alist from Buffalo. In front of the fireplace is a three-part fire screen by Ingham student, Stephenia Wentworth. Of par- ticular interest is the image of the Staunton Art Conservatory in the center panel. Some other things to see in the front par- lor is the landscape of Ingham University above the parlor organ, and the painting of the Ingham rose to the right of the front window. The inscrip- tion on the back of this paint- ing indicated that the Ingham rose was a variety known as the “Lamarque rose” which is still available today from the Antique Rose Emporium in Texas. Visitors can try a variety of reproduction parlor games that are arranged on the tables. The back parlor is decorat- ed in an earlier Victorian style of the 1850s to 1860s. There is a center table in the room and notice the black horsehair up- holstered sofa. The gas chan- delier, surmounted by the four muses, at one time, illuminat- ed a room at University Hall. On the left of the window is the portrait of Marietta In- gham, the older sister, who guided the finances of the uni- versity. On the right is Emily Ingham Staunton, who served as academic principal of the school. Emily married Phineas Staunton, an accomplished art- ist who was born in Wyoming New York. All of the portraits in the back parlor are attribut- ed to him, including the por- trait of the Lakota Sioux chief on the easel. Above the mantle is a large painting of the four Ingham sisters and one of their teachers. Above the piano are the portraits of Jerusha and Oliver Allen, whose grandson, Allen Olmsted donated the LeRoy House to the Historical Society. Notice on the easel, the painting of Henry Clay in the U.S. Senate chamber. The original painting by Phineas Staunton, is over 11 feet tall and 7 foot wide, and was do- nated to the United States Sen- ate and now hangs in the Bru- midi staircase in Washington. The large concert grand Steinway # 49902 was built in New York City in 1881 for Ingham University. A collec- tion of reproduction stereo cards of Ingham and LeRoy are arranged on the piano. The square Steinway #14215 was manufactured in 1867. It is also believed to be an Ingham piano. Ingham University closed in 1892. The furnishings and paintings were auctioned. One by one the buildings were razed. The stone from the Staunton Conservatory was used to build the Woodward Memorial Library. The LeRoy Historical Society maintains the Ingham archive collection. A small closet exhibit about Ingham is located between the parlors. LeRoy House Tour - The Parlors Front Parlor Back Parlor