Kitchen
The kitchen was not renovated since 1907. Mr. Chambers did not put money into it since this was not an area that would have been seen by guests. It was only for maids, butlers, and cooks.
The kitchen was not renovated since 1907. Mr. Chambers did not put money into it since this was not an area that would have been seen by guests. It was only for maids, butlers, and cooks.
Chambers House Museum Tour
KitchenThe kitchen was not renovated since 1907. Mr. Chambers did not put money into it since this was not an area that would have been seen by guests. It was only for maids, butlers, and cooks.
This sink is original, with no countertops or kitchen cabinets. The main work surface would have been the kitchen table. The kitchen utensils over the sink have stayed the way we found them. They had been there so long that the wall was beginning to fade in color in the shape of the utensils. We painted and rehung the items exactly as they had been. There were also no smaller appliances like microwaves, stand mixers, or air fryers.
The 1920s GE refrigerator is another item we had to purchase. The family likely had one from Mr. Chambers’ hardware store, which sold for anywhere between $5-$75. It seems small to us, but their dairy products and eggs were delivered daily, so much of what we keep in our fridges for days or weeks wouldn’t be the same as theirs. We did put some milk bottles in the fridge to show you what they would look like if the cook was trying to keep the milk fresh for later in the day.
One example of what they might keep cold is their homemade mayonnaise. They would make it in a large bowl by whisking oil into eggs and then adding a bit of vinegar or lemon juice.
The Hardwick range and oven combo is original. When they no longer had a cook, the sisters were still cooking with this even in their old age!
The electric meter is also original. This is one of the last homes in the state that still required the meter man to come inside in 2004. He insisted that the girls update it but they always were adamant and saying, “Don’t you touch it!”
Some of the glass in the yellow hutch has a tiny amount of uranium in them. If you shine the flashlight on your phone through the glass doors, they will give off a lime green glow!
This is the original butler's pantry that was converted for storage. It nicely displays pots, pans, and fine china. How much more functional is this method than what we have now?
The butler’s pantry was another addition in 1924, and Mr. Chambers insisted on adding a swinging door for ease of service and carrying dishes back and forth. Small bells were used to let the servant know when to change courses or bring something to the table.