This utilitarian work space was remodeled multiple times during the time the family lived in the home. The first change was in 1907 when John Conrad Mauer expanded the space, then again in the mid-twentieth century to incorporate changes in kitchen décor and technology. The stainless-steel counters were added in 1940, while the ceramic tile and Roper gas stove were added in 1955. Unlike kitchens in today's homes, this was not considered the heart of the home. The staff and small children took their meals here, however, adult family members either dined in their rooms, in the formal dining room, or in the breakfast room. Multiple cooks worked in this space over the duration of the family's time in this home.
This utilitarian work space was remodeled multiple times during the time the family lived in the home. The first change was in 1907 when John Conrad Mauer expanded the space, then again in the mid-twentieth century to incorporate changes in kitchen décor and technology. The stainless-steel counters were added in 1940, while the ceramic tile and Roper gas stove were added in 1955. Unlike kitchens in today's homes, this was not considered the heart of the home. The staff and small children took their meals here, however, adult family members either dined in their rooms, in the formal dining room, or in the breakfast room. Multiple cooks worked in this space over the duration of the family's time in this home.
Long time cook Louis Lemon refused to cook on anything other than a wood stove. Eventually, the McFaddins replaced the wood stove with a combination wood/gas stove to accommodate cooks filling in for Louis during absences. The McFaddins respected Louis' cooking preferences, not replacing the wood/gas stove until after his death in 1952.
This gas stove was installed in 1955.
About the Stove:
ca. 1955; metal, plastic, and aluminum
“Bake-Master,†George D. Roper Corporation, Duluth, GA
purchased from Conns in 1955
replaced combined wood and gas-burning stove
General Audience Tour
Long time cook Louis Lemon refused to cook on anything other than a wood stove. Eventually, the McFaddins replaced the wood stove with a combination wood/gas stove to accommodate cooks filling in for Louis during absences. The McFaddins respected Louis' cooking preferences, not replacing the wood/gas stove until after his death in 1952.
This gas stove was installed in 1955.
About the Stove:
ca. 1955; metal, plastic, and aluminum
“Bake-Master,†George D. Roper Corporation, Duluth, GA
purchased from Conns in 1955
replaced combined wood and gas-burning stove
The kitchen pantry is where food was stored, often canned and bottled goods. Most homes have a pantry, but perhaps not as large as this one. A pantry might be the size of a small closet or a few shelves. Everything in this pantry once belonged to the McFaddin-Ward family, even the canned goods!
The house also had a "milk room" where cooler temperatures made it possible to store milk and eggs.
General Audience Tour
The kitchen pantry is where food was stored, often canned and bottled goods. Most homes have a pantry, but perhaps not as large as this one. A pantry might be the size of a small closet or a few shelves. Everything in this pantry once belonged to the McFaddin-Ward family, even the canned goods!
The house also had a "milk room" where cooler temperatures made it possible to store milk and eggs.
This device is an interphone. It's connected to other interphones located throughout the house and carriage house where the household staff lived. This communication device allowed the staff and family to talk to each other without having to leave their work spaces. Notice that this interphone has 3 buttons instead of the 10 buttons like the main interphone located under the main staircase. Which rooms in the house do you think this interphone connects to for "kitchen business"?
General Audience Tour
This device is an interphone. It's connected to other interphones located throughout the house and carriage house where the household staff lived. This communication device allowed the staff and family to talk to each other without having to leave their work spaces. Notice that this interphone has 3 buttons instead of the 10 buttons like the main interphone located under the main staircase. Which rooms in the house do you think this interphone connects to for "kitchen business"?
Every room in the house had a special built in button the family pushed to alert members of the household staff when they needed service. When the button was pushed the little arrows on this box lit up and the bell rang, alerting the staff of a request. The staff member could then use the interphone, located on the wall underneath this box, to check on the family member, or the staff would personally visit the family member wherever they were located in the home.
General Audience Tour
Every room in the house had a special built in button the family pushed to alert members of the household staff when they needed service. When the button was pushed the little arrows on this box lit up and the bell rang, alerting the staff of a request. The staff member could then use the interphone, located on the wall underneath this box, to check on the family member, or the staff would personally visit the family member wherever they were located in the home.
Not many people know that the McFaddin- Ward House has a basement!
Heating the large 12,800 square foot home was no easy task. The boiler, used for the purpose of heating water, is located in the basement and is original to the house. Coal was delivered by a local company then shoveled into the boiler either by a staff member or by the boys of the family. The boiler was later connected to natural gas for heating.
The original radiator system was on the first floor only then expanded to the second floor in the early 1920s. A small gas heater heated the sun room during the winter while free-standing stoves heated the third floor. Round flues are still present in multiple third floor rooms. Family history reports that the small stoves were coal burning. It was often the boys' chores to carry
The basement of the house has flooded in the many hurricanes of Southeast, Texas.
General Audience Tour
Not many people know that the McFaddin- Ward House has a basement!
Heating the large 12,800 square foot home was no easy task. The boiler, used for the purpose of heating water, is located in the basement and is original to the house. Coal was delivered by a local company then shoveled into the boiler either by a staff member or by the boys of the family. The boiler was later connected to natural gas for heating.
The original radiator system was on the first floor only then expanded to the second floor in the early 1920s. A small gas heater heated the sun room during the winter while free-standing stoves heated the third floor. Round flues are still present in multiple third floor rooms. Family history reports that the small stoves were coal burning. It was often the boys' chores to carry
The basement of the house has flooded in the many hurricanes of Southeast, Texas.