The parlor and library of Col. Robert J. Milligan’s house, built in 1854, in Saratoga Springs which was installed in 1953 at the Brooklyn Museum has officially completed its restoration. The installation is a part of the American period rooms representing the 19th century.
Both rooms in the installation show examples of the diversity of revival styles which was prevalent during the mid-19th century in America. The parlor showed influences of Louis XV Revival style with characteristic curvilinear silhouettes and nature-inspired elements. Meanwhile, the library took it design direction from the Gothic Revival style.
The Museum has repainted the room and installed tartan carpet on the wooden floors. They also added the original chandelier taken from the parlor. There were also additional objects and furnishings that were acquired from the original room which were not previously on view at the Museum.The gray walls of the parlor are now covered with reproduced 19th century French wallpaper while the windows are treated with Rococo Revival lace curtains. The library walls now sport ashlar faux stone design which has a stark difference from its original bare walls. The wall design also provide an interesting contrast to the Scottish tartan designed carpet. The period rooms were installed in 1929 at the Brooklyn Museum and have been restored or improved over the years. The rooms were directly taken from the 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th century homes in the eastern United States, ranging from Dutch farmhouses, Art Deco libraries and studies to lavish Manhattan and Brooklyn apartments of those periods.
Both rooms of Col. Milligan were completed on March 28. Throughout the course of its restoration, the rooms were still opened for public viewing.
