Studio39Designs

Inside the McLean House

The McLean House was where history actually occurred, in terms of when and where the Civil War formally ended.  It’s interesting to take a look inside this house to get a better idea of where it happened and what life was like on a day-to-day basis back then.

McLean House

As I mentioned before, this is as true a recreation of what McLean House looked like.  The original house was dismantled in what proved to be a failed attempt at a “get rich quick” scheme to move it to Washington, DC, as part of a museum.  Still, there is an original piece of the house that remains.  To my knowledge, all furniture now in the house are also historically accurate recreations.

Grant’s Desk

This desk is the desk that Lt. Ulysses S. Grant used when signing the formal surrender documents.  I’m thinking this wasn’t his actual desk, as he was traveling, fighting in the War, but a desk provided to him for purposes of the surrender.

Lee’s Desk

 Gen. Robert E. Lee’s desk, however, is a bit more ornate, and I’m supposing this was because this was basically Lee’s home turf.  I’m not saying he lived here, but his Army was stationed near here, and I’m sort of guessing that this might have actually belonged to him.  Otherwise, I’m guessing that he used the nicer desk because he was on Confederate soil.

McLean House Bedroom

Upstairs, we were able to see what the owner’s bedroom could have looked like.  This bedroom was clearly used by the adults, and seemed to be a place of respite from the day, with a seating area in the room as well as their bed.

McLean Kids’ Room and Spinning Wheel

I imagine that the children of the household spent time playing in this room when not outside.  There is kid-size furniture with a rocking crib for whatever baby doll the little girl had.  Adult size chairs tell the tale of adult supervision – a nanny, most likely. I loved the spinning wheel, and that seems to indicate that adult chores were also done here, while keeping an eye on the kids.

Small Sewing Machine

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sewing machine this small before!  It, too, was in the children’s room, and seems to further back up my thought that chores were also done in this room while keeping an eye on the kids.

Civil War Era Mirror

This mirror was sitting on a high boy dresser in the adults’ bedroom, I believe.  I loved the aged look of the mirror, and that it showed the reflection of the stitched linen sitting on the dresser.

McLean Dining Room

Back down on the main level of the house, just across from the room where the surrender documents were signed, sat the dining room, made up in much the style that would have been typical of the Civil War era.  Note the high chair for the toddler of the house!

McLean House Original Foundation

Here is the one piece of the house that is NOT a recreation.  These are the actual foundation bricks upon which the original McLean House was built.  Just imagine, history was made on the floor directly above where these bricks lay.

Enjoy!