Vice President's Room: Art and Furnishings of a Senate Landmark
The Vice President's Room serves as a living museum of American political history, where the decor reflects the tastes and personalities of the individuals who have occupied the office. While the room began with a modest aesthetic, it has evolved over centuries into a space defined by Victorian elegance and storied artifacts.
Key Facts
- Original Features: The marble mantel and English-made Minton floor tiles are among the few remaining pieces of the room's first decoration.
- The Wilson Desk: A mahogany double-pedestal desk used by every Vice President from Hobart to Lyndon Johnson, and briefly as the Oval Office desk for Presidents Nixon and Ford.
- The Wilson Bust: A marble tribute to Henry Wilson that sparked the creation of the Senate's Vice Presidential Bust Collection.
- Mysterious Origins: A small gilded mirror has been in the room since 1859, with unverified legends linking it to John Adams or Dolley Madison.
The Evolution of Style and Decoration
The room's early furnishings were simple, but by the late 19th century, the aesthetic shifted toward the ornate. This era introduced the gilded mirror and matching Victorian window cornices that remain today.
No occupant influenced the room's style more than Garret Augustus Hobart, elected in 1896. Senate vouchers reveal Hobart's penchant for luxury, documenting his acquisition of Neapolitan silk curtains, imported silk mohair carpeting, and various Persian throw rugs. He even commissioned a silk velour slumber robe specifically designed to match the velour cushions of his office sofa.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Historic Furniture and Artifacts
The Wilson Desk
One of the room's most significant pieces is the mahogany double-pedestal desk, known as the Wilson desk. Its name stems from its associations with Vice President Henry Wilson and President Woodrow Wilson. This desk saw continuous use by Vice Presidents from the tenure of Hobart through to Lyndon Johnson. In a notable historical detour, the desk was loaned to the White House in 1969 to serve as the Oval Office desk for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford before returning to the Senate in 1977.
The Floor Clock and Rosewood Cabinet
In 1898, the Senate purchased a floor clock from Washington jewelers Harris and Schafer for $600. Vice President John Nance Garner famously used this clock to time his entries into the Senate chamber, ensuring he reached his seat precisely at noon as the chimes rang fifteen seconds prior.
The room also houses an ornately carved rosewood cabinet from the late 19th century. Often called the "John Nance Garner Liquor Cabinet" due to Garner's invitations for guests to "strike a blow for liberty" with its contents, the cabinet also displays a sterling silver desk set. This set was presented to Vice President Adlai Stevenson in 1897 and later donated to the Senate by former Illinois Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Art and Commemoration
The room's art reflects both mystery and honor. A small gilded mirror has been present since the Senate extension was completed in 1859. While some legends suggest it once belonged to Dolley Madison or John Adams, there is no documentation to prove these claims.
In 1885, the Senate voted to install a marble bust of Henry Wilson. Wilson, a former senator from Massachusetts (1855–1873), was a champion for the working class and served as chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee during the Civil War. This tribute was the catalyst for the Senate's Vice Presidential Bust Collection, which is now displayed on the second floor of the Capitol's Senate wing and in the Senate chamber gallery.
| Artifact | Origin/Date | Key Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Minton Floor Tiles | England (Original) | Part of the room's first decoration |
| Wilson Desk | Mahogany | Used by multiple VPs and two US Presidents |
| Floor Clock | 1898 ($600) | Used by John Nance Garner for precise timing |
| Henry Wilson Bust | 1885 | Started the Vice Presidential Bust Collection |
| Rosewood Cabinet | Late 19th Century | Known as the "Garner Liquor Cabinet" |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the mahogany desk called the Wilson desk?
It is named for its associations with Vice President Henry Wilson and President Woodrow Wilson, though it was used by every Vice President from Garret Augustus Hobart to Lyndon Johnson.
Who was the most influential person regarding the room's 19th-century decor?
Garret Augustus Hobart, elected in 1896, significantly altered the room with luxury imports including Neapolitan silk curtains and silk mohair carpeting.
What is the origin of the small gilded mirror?
The mirror's exact origin is a mystery. While legends link it to John Adams or Dolley Madison, there is no official documentation to support these claims.
What is the significance of the Henry Wilson bust?
Beyond honoring Henry Wilson's contributions to the working class and the Civil War effort, the bust served as the genesis for the Senate's Vice Presidential Bust Collection.
Which US Presidents used the Wilson desk in the Oval Office?
The desk was loaned to the White House in 1969 and used by Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford before being returned to the Senate in 1977.