Centre Furnace Mansion Tour

It was very important in the 19th century for a family like the Thompsons to separate their public and private life. Moses carried out his business from his home, and he and Mary entertained extensively. The second floor was their refuge, their family space.

Second Floor Hallway

Second Floor Hallway as a bathroom in the 1980s


Second Floor Hallway today

Southwest Bedroom

This was probably the master bedroom, with the fanciest fireplace and stove in the Mansion. The metal-looking plates are made of isinglass, which is similar to mica. The wedding dress on display was worn by Elizabeth, Moses and Mary's second daughter, when she married John Hamilton in 1875.

Northwest Bedroom (Children's Room)

Six Thompson children grew up at the Centre Furnace Mansion; we have set up one room at the Mansion as a children's room, with children's furnishings and toys, some of which have been returned to us by descendents of those Thompson children. The side rails on this crib come down so that it could be converted from a crib to a bed as a child got older.

Southeast Bedroom

Hanging in the bedroom across the hall is a picture made of hair and wax. We think that the curls in the middle are from a little boy's first haircut. All the flowers are made of colored wax. This kind of art was a sign of good education for ladies.

All of the rooms on the second floor have closets. A frequent theory is that closets, viewed as unnecessary luxuries, were taxed. Whether true or not, most early 19th century houses did not have closets, but Centre Furnace seems to be an exception.

Northeast Exhibit Room

The remaining two rooms in the Mansion have been turned over to exhibits. Plaster removal in the back east room revealed a doorway that we believe was part of the narrow servant stairs, probably dating from before 1848.

The Exhibit Room during 1980s restoration

Library

Part of the Library as a bathroom in the 1980s

Part of the Library as a kitchen in the 1980s

The Library today

The Miniature Mansion is an exact replica of the Centre Furnace Mansion. It is on display inside the library, the room above the first floor kitchen, and clearly shows all the architectural changes that have been made to the Mansion over the past 200 years.