"Our parlor sofa, Grandpa Austen's portrait. Fair light, 20 ft., 11:45 am Tuesday, May 15, 1894." Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Historical Society.

The parlor, reserved for formal occasions, holiday gatherings, and other special events, has been restored to its late 19th century appearance. Many treasured family heirlooms once displayed in the parlor reflected the Austen history, which, in this country, dates to pre-Revolutionary times. On the Franklin fireplace below the mantel was a link of the Hudson River chain used during the Revolutionary War to prevent the British from approaching West Point. Both this link and a door knocker had been forged by Elizabeth Townsend Austen's grandfather. A portrait of Alice's maternal great-grandfather, David Embree Austen, hung on the wall, along with his auctioneer's gavel. Treasures from Asia brought back by Aunt Minn and Uncle Oswald crowded the room. Virtually every surface was covered.

Parlor interior with easy chair, oil lamp, door knocker and chain. n.d. Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Historical Society.

In 1878 the parlor won praise in Harper's New Monthly Magazine. It was described as "Warm in color, brilliant in effect, and cozy in arrangement." Floor to ceiling glass doors provided direct access to the piazza. The small alcove on the opposite wall, a conservatory given over to the nurturing of lush plants, added to the sense of warmth and brilliance. These architectural features are some of John Austen's improvements to the Gothic cottage, blending Clear Comfort with its landscape and expanding the house beyond its original box-like structure.

This room that became the parlor was added to the house circa 1750. A large brick hearth and fireplace were part of the original construction. A Franklin fireplace was added, fitted with a decorative woodwork and Delft tile surround that had biblical themes. Around the time of the Civil War, John Austen added built-in bookcases with diamond glazed doors flanking the fireplace. Elaborate scrollwork trimmed the mantel. Scrollwork valances were placed over the parlor windows.

The parlor ceiling was actually the underside of the wide upper-story floorboards supported by large hand-hewn beams. The ceiling and the architectural woodwork were grained to resemble oak.

Grandpa in parlor on 80th birthday. Door knocker, chain and oil lamp on hearth. March 26, 1891. Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Historical Society.

The circa 1760 easy chair was originally the property of Alice's great-great grandfather, Peter Townsend, of Albany, New York. A bronze oil lamp with eagle motif dating from the mid19th century appears on the mantel in several of Alice's photographs of the parlor. Two large wooden chairs and Oriental porcelain vases flanked the fireplace. The parlor has been recreated with the aid of Alice's remarkable photographic record.