Two important period rooms in the 1765 Morris-Jumel Mansion in Upper Manhattan have been restored thanks to the Versailles Foundation. The French Reception Room and Eliza Jumel’s Bedroom, are furnished mostly with French furniture bought by Eliza Jumel in Paris in the early nineteenth century. The Conservancy has a long history with the Mansion and introduced the Foundation to them.
The work was delayed a year because of the pandemic lockdown both here and in the U.K., where the carpeting for both rooms was custom loomed. The other custom-made textiles, the custom printed wallpapers, and the conservation of the furniture and other objects, were all done in the U.S.
The conserved furnishings include a set of French Empire chairs with matching settee, pier mirror and table, writing desk, piano, sleigh bed with swan crown, secretaire á abattant, cheval mirror, card table, work table, and various fire tools, glass, and ceramic objects.
Two years ago, the Versailles Foundation reached out to the Conservancy inquiring if we knew of any French-related projects in New York that they could support. We introduced them to the Morris-Jumel Museum, which was planning to restore their two French rooms. The Foundation funded the entire project. The Conservancy oversaw the scope of work and reviewed the invoices. We are grateful to the Versailles Foundation for their very generous funding of this project and are very glad to have made the introduction.
The rooms are welcoming visitors again now that the house has re-opened.