This room was probably used by Mrs. Gallier as a sitting room.  It was customary in the 19th century for ladies to have rooms of their own where they could tend to the household accounts, write letters, sew, sit with children, and informally entertain close friends.  This room was probably also used as a guest room or as a sleeping chamber for one of the daughters.

Many of the decorative items in Mrs. Gallier’s room are adorned with needlework.  Victorian women occupied much of their leisure time with needlecrafts, such as crochet, embroidery, quilting, and fancy sewing.  The most popular type of needlework was Berlin wool work, which we call needlepoint today.  Originating in Berlin at the turn of the 19th century, Berlin work was most popular between 1835 and 1870.  Easy-to-follow patterns clearly indicating colors, designs, and stitches were printed on squared paper and sold with brightly colored worsted wools.  Religious subjects, historical events, pastoral scenes, portraits of important people, pictures of animals, and floral designs were favorite subjects.  Creating Berlin wool work pieces allowed ladies to decorate their own homes inexpensively.

On the needlework stand is a piece
of Berlin wool work depicting a pheasant.

Needlepoint Frame;
ca. 1850; American; mahogany.
   

 
 
 

Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses Administrative Office
820 Saint Louis Street New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone:(504) 525-5661 Fax: (504) 568-9735 Email: info@hgghh.org