by Erin Feith, Coordinator of Research & Visitor Engagement
May 26, 2026
With a long history as a reception area for guests, the parlor occupied a place of prominence in the home and functioned as a reflection of the family’s gentility and tastes. Beginning in the 19th century, parlors became a status symbol for the expanding upper and middle classes, harkening back to the estates of European aristocracy. Thus, the room’s décor became the most formal of the home, featuring the finest details the homeowner could afford, including lavish furnishings in popular trends of the day.
Revival styles led the way by the mid-19th century with Rococo Revival being most highly favored for its connections to nobility. The style was celebrated for its curved lines and carved, nature-inspired elements. Parlor furniture of the period typically consisted of a seven-piece set: armchairs for gentlemen, armless chairs for ladies (to accommodate large hoop skirts), and sofas for guests. Each chair in the room was imbued with a social meaning. For example, seats positioned next to the fireplace were reserved for guests to whom the hostess wished to show the most respect.
Another feature that became an increasingly popular sight in parlors was the étagère, or “whatnot.” Containing four to five shelves, the piece was used to display knickknacks, books, photographs, or souvenirs from trips abroad. In addition to providing points of conversations, each memento was deliberately selected by the family to represent their worldliness, education, and refinement.
By the 20th century, the idea of the parlor fell out of fashion. With fresh memories of WWI, many eschewed the formality embodied by parlors and opted for a more comfortable and functional space that would be used by the family on a daily basis. However, at least for a few centuries, parlors truly were the fairest room of all.
Visit Acorn Hall to experience the grandeur of its original mid-19th -century parlors, which will undergo conservation and restoration beginning in early 2027.
