This image shows a detail of the walnut mantel made by Isaac Scott in 1877 for the Glessners’ previous home at the northeast corner of Washington and Morgan streets. The section shows part of the diamond fret molding set beneath a segmental arch, with squat spindles set to either side.

The Glessners removed the mantel when they moved to Prairie Avenue in 1887. The next year, they had it installed in the sitting room of the Big House at their summer estate, The Rocks, in New Hampshire. Their daughter, Frances Glessner Lee, had the mantel removed before that house was demolished in 1946. It is now displayed in George’s bedroom along with a second mantel by Scott, made for the Glessners’ bedroom in their Washington Street house, and also later installed at the Big House.

To learn more about the mantel, see the May 2024 entry in The Collection.

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