Charlotte Greenman's Parlor Case Study
A Victorian Lady’s Parlor
During the Victorian era, the Greenman family from Westerly, RI relocated to Mystic, CT, where the three brothers and their families created a shipbuilding community, the remnants of which can still be seen today. Located at the Mystic Seaport, parts of Greenmanville are on display, including the houses of each brother and some of their personal belongings. Thomas Greenman and his wife Charlotte built their large home in 1842, which included a double parlor for Charlotte to use as her own space. This parlor was not only ornately decorated, but served as much more than a room, being used to host members of the community, helping to form a bond between the wealthy Greenman’s and their colleagues as well as employees. Charlotte Greenman’s parlor currently …show more content…
As a leader of the community, Charlotte entertained the wives of business men as well as people her husband employed, helping to create an image of the Greenman family that would permeate through the neighborhood. By hosting people in her parlor, Charlotte kept up the social end to her husband’s business, helping to create Greenmanville, the community, and solidify the family’s position as local leaders. The uniqueness that pertains to Charlotte’s parlor specifically stems from the shipbuilding area surrounding her, dictating not only an undertone of ship inspired decor, but determining the use of the space as well. Without a doubt the women that Charlotte hosted in the space had something to do with the perfect seaport just outside the room. The entire community revolved around the Greenman’s business, which began with shipbuilding, and the language and issues of that business entered the parlor in the form of gossip and everyday conversations which solidified the idea of a seafaring
During the Victorian era, the Greenman family from Westerly, RI relocated to Mystic, CT, where the three brothers and their families created a shipbuilding community, the remnants of which can still be seen today. Located at the Mystic Seaport, parts of Greenmanville are on display, including the houses of each brother and some of their personal belongings. Thomas Greenman and his wife Charlotte built their large home in 1842, which included a double parlor for Charlotte to use as her own space. This parlor was not only ornately decorated, but served as much more than a room, being used to host members of the community, helping to form a bond between the wealthy Greenman’s and their colleagues as well as employees. Charlotte Greenman’s parlor currently …show more content…
As a leader of the community, Charlotte entertained the wives of business men as well as people her husband employed, helping to create an image of the Greenman family that would permeate through the neighborhood. By hosting people in her parlor, Charlotte kept up the social end to her husband’s business, helping to create Greenmanville, the community, and solidify the family’s position as local leaders. The uniqueness that pertains to Charlotte’s parlor specifically stems from the shipbuilding area surrounding her, dictating not only an undertone of ship inspired decor, but determining the use of the space as well. Without a doubt the women that Charlotte hosted in the space had something to do with the perfect seaport just outside the room. The entire community revolved around the Greenman’s business, which began with shipbuilding, and the language and issues of that business entered the parlor in the form of gossip and everyday conversations which solidified the idea of a seafaring