Entry  

  The entry is papered in dark paper as was customarily done. The mahogany chair with tapestry upholstery was originally in the Holland Hotel in the late 1800-1900s. The entry also includes an oak hall bench.

Parlor

As the principal area for formal entertaining, the parlor was the most lavishly decorated room in the house. It was typically cluttered with an array of furniture and decorative items. The tile on the mantle is new but matched closely to the original. The walnut sofa and chairs are upholstered in green velvet. The organ was donated. Orange County families donated most of the furniture in this house. The reading alcove contains etched glass that once hung in the Sim’s carriage house at its original location.

Dining Room

 This room is furnished much the same as it was in the early 1900s. The table is set with beautiful china that once belonged to the Sims family. The china cabinets and contents are also original to the house. The German-made black marble clock with gold etching, on the mantle was made by Ansonia. Of special interest is the silk wall hanging, a gift from Taro Kishi who was a member of a Japanese family who settled in Orange County early in the century. This family headed a colony of Japanese rice farmers.

Music Room  

  The music room proceeded the modern day “Family Room”. The family gathered to read, play games, sing and play musical instruments. The bookcase is original to the house and holds a large collection of interesting books. The baby grand piano was a gift to Heritage House. It  originally belonged to the Wignall family. The painting over the fireplace is of the Ochiltree home. The 1825 Radiola provided musical entertainment and the steroptican was an interesting way to view pictures.

SUN PORCH  

  The 1920 wicker furniture in this room is original to the house. Cushions have been recovered in a fabric that is of that period. Mr. Sims actually used the golden oak desk. Also on display is a completely furnished hand made doll house. Recent additions are the piano and needlepoint bench. A pie safe filled with Ironstone and Blue Willow dishes and a combination stroller and high chair have been added. The clock was originally from the kitchen.

KITCHEN  

  The kitchen was the hub of the family life. Meals, discussions and a large amount of work occurred in this room. As time progressed, the wood stove and the icebox were replaced by an electric stove and refrigerator. The porcelain top table and a Hoosier cabinet provided working space. Other small electrical appliances and conveniences were introduced to lighten the homemaker’s load. Kitchen utensils, such as the coffee grinder, the wooden dough bowls, and the colorful granite pans played important roles in everyday life because of necessity. The German luster china canister set were decorative items more so than for everyday use. The vacuum cleaner is a pump type.

DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM  

  This bathroom was once part of the breakfast room. It was made into a bathroom in the late 1940s using the wood benches and tables from the breakfast room.

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM  

  In the early twentieth century, the luxury of an indoor bathroom replaced the inconvenience of an outdoor privy. These rooms of convenience were constructed primarily of white tile, to emphasize sanitation, and contained cast iron and porcelain sink, tub and toilet fixtures. This bathroom is also furnished with a small sink or toothbrush fountain. Designs found in curtains, wallpaper and tub legs reinforce the period fascination with nature.

MASTER BEDROOM  

  A private rather than public space, the master bedroom more closely reflects the daily lifestyle of a family than does the parlor. The machine-made 1860 cherry spool bed was stained to resemble mahogany. On it is the popular feather mattress covered by the beautiful old crochet bed spread. Notice the vintage hatboxes. Photographs of family and friends along with informal furniture groupings make this a cozy room. It was heated by the fireplace and cooled by cross ventilation.

  SLEEPING PORCH  

  The sleeping porch contains an iron bed and also a trundle bed. These beds were used in summer when the open windows allowed cross ventilation for cooling. The sewing machine is a 1916 treadle and the old ironing board is wooden. The two black chairs are Windsor.

GIRLS ROOM  

  The girl’s room contains Grand Rapids golden oak furniture made around the turn of the century which belonged to the Sims family. The friendship quilt on the window seat was made by ladies from a local church in Orange. Clothing from the 1920s is in the closet. The dolls on the window seat belonged to the Sims children. Suitcases contain articles from our collection on display.

BOYS ROOM  

  Once occupied by the Sim’s son, this room reflects how a boy’s room would have looked in the early 1900s. The radio is a 1925 Freid Eiseman receiver set. Notice the sports memorabilia and the football quilt.

CHILDRENS ROOM  

  The children’s room depicts the life of middle class youngsters in the early twentieth century in Orange, TX. Children’s clothing was fancy, with special items being saved from an earlier time. Middle class children entertained themselves with a variety of toys and games. The rocking horse is made of aluminum and is circa 1920. Aluminum was invented in the 1850s. The 1860s crib and the 1805 rocker are of special interest.

                                                                                                            Rev. 2/20/09 - LG