102 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



March, 1910 



a picture of the greatest man of a great country pacing 

 the floor of the quaint arcade, frowning over grave 

 thoughts, or reveling in the air of peace and comfort. 



The unobstructive entrance at the right of the dwelHng 

 is thoroughly Colonial. I'he main entrance door of heavy 

 oak is adorned with an antique brass knocker, and opens 

 immediately into the central hallway, which extends the 

 depth of the house, joining and becoming a part of the 

 library in the rear, and thus rendering the exit to that 

 portico direct from the library. A very charming idea, 

 and one well executed. 



The paneling and wainscoting of the graceful stairway 

 are painted white, as are the balustrades, and are in keep- 

 ing with the rest of the hall. 1 he doorway shows pilasters 

 as decoration, as well as a semi-circular cornice, which 

 give an extremely good effect, while the fine carving on the 

 cornice proper is far beyond the usual. An historic mar- 

 quetry table stands under the old-fashioned mirror, and a 

 grandfather's clock and rare Jacobean chairs render the 

 hall furniture harmonious on the whole and artistic in de- 

 tail. 



The greatest and most unusual feature of "Kenmore" 

 lies undoubtedly in its ceiling decorations, wonderful mar- 

 vels of untiring care and faultless execution. The plaster 

 designs are said to have been executed by a British prisoner 

 held during the Revolution, and of the graceful clusters of 

 flowers, baskets of fruits and horns of plenty, more than 

 twenty thousand separate and distinct pieces are clearly 

 visible. 



The library ceiling is one of the most interesting in the 

 mansion, while the plaster decoration over the mantel was 

 designed by General Washington, and portrays several of 

 yEsop's fables, conspicuously that of the "Fox and Crow." 

 The mantel itself and pediments are of wood beautifully 

 carved. The great, arched doorway of this hall-library, 

 with double pilasters and superbly carved frame, is an ex- 

 quisite bit of workmanship. Near by stands the quaint 

 old clock which belonged to Mary Washington, still mono- 

 tonously telling the passing of time. The walls, which 

 might otherwise be called too stiff and severe, are lent dis- 

 tinction and charm by the beautiful portraits which hang 

 thereon. The furniture of this Eighteenth Century room 

 is of mahogany and rosewood, the chief ornament a bronze 

 on the center table, which is one of Barye's famous 

 pieces. 



The drawing-room at the right of the hall, adjoining the 

 library, holds much of historic interest, for here have al- 

 ways gathered famous men and women. I'he walls show 



many choice portraits, among which is a noted one of Col. 

 John Eager Howard, who was \oted a medal by Congress 

 for bravery in the battle of Cowpens. Here again are 

 seen the wonderful ceiling and mantel decorations. Still 

 true to the Colonial period, this room holds neither super- 

 fluous furnishings nor ornaments, the most conspicuous 

 among the art objects being the marble busts from the 

 hand of the far-famed Powers, and which are placed in the 

 chimney alcoves. 



Crossing the hall at the front of the house, the dining- 

 room is reached, and the old-fashioned furniture and family 

 plate, which abound in profusion in this historic room, gi\e 

 rise to envy in the heart of the uninitiated as well as the 

 connoisseur. The rare Coleport and Willow ware, the 

 Canton china and Wedgewood plates, have stood for years 

 in the corner cupboards, and have graced many notable 

 banquet tables; a glimpse of the past in a restless to-day. 



Throughout the house are evidences of the wealth and 

 culture of the Eighteenth Century architect-builder, aided 

 and augmented by the work of the generations who have 

 lived and succeeded one another in the beautiful old man- 

 sion. 



After "Kenmore" passed out of the Lewis family, the 

 estate was owned successively by the Gordons and the Bar- 

 tons, a curious fact being that Lieut. Seth Barton, a gal- 

 lant young oflicer in the Revolution, who claimed Rhode 

 Island as his birthplace, had two sons. General and Judge 

 Barton, who, living in "Kenmore," gave their aid to the 

 Confederate cause, proving the walls and roof of the 

 great house to have sheltered many men of many alle- 

 giances. 



About twenty-five years ago the property was bought by 

 Mr. W. P. Howard, a grand-nephew of Francis Scott Key, 

 of "Star-Spangled Banner" fame. When the fine old man- 

 sion came into the possession of Mr. Howard, it was in 

 very bad repair, never having recovered from the effects 

 of the Civil War, the scars of which show only too plainly. 

 The grounds, which are now so charmingly restful, were 

 then used as a common, without any regard to the damage 

 inflicted there, or upon its surroundings. 



But bright days have come once more to "Kenmore," 

 and the historic mansion, in its setting of grand old trees 

 and velvet greensward, harmonizes with the springtime 

 verdure, in contrast with the winter's snow. With the first 

 bird song of early spring, narcissi, followed by daffodils, 

 cluster over the lawn in great splashes of gold, as if Mary 

 Washington's cherished blossoms were blooming in their 

 glory for this generation in honor of Auld Lang Syne. 



