Lincoln Home Historic Furnishings Report

SECTION E: RECOMMENDED FURNISHINGS (continued)

SITTING ROOM: INTRODUCTION

The sitting room served as the Lincoln family's everyday living area. The Leslie's illustration clearly shows that the sitting room contained less formal (and less expensive) furnishings than the parlors. For example, there is very little upholstered furniture in this room. Upholstered furniture, such as sofas and armchairs, were expensive luxuries and, in most families, would customarily have been reserved for the parlors. And yet, this room, with its pair of rocking chairs, does seem comfortable.

According to period use, the large table, appearing in the Leslie's drawing on the east wall, would have been in the middle of the room. The family's activities, such as reading, playing checkers, and Mrs. Lincoln's sewing, would have taken place around the table and the light source located on the table.