The Parlor

The Officer's Sitting Room or Parlor, was the area where officers could go to read their papers, smoke their pipes, write letters, play games and generally relax. There was no other room used for that purpose at Drum Barracks.

The Parlor was first opened to the public by Thomas Keaveney in 1923 and is currently arranged to recreate the appearance of the room during the early years. None of the furniture is original to the building, but is faithful to the time period.

The room contains an 1864 Steinway square grand or box piano. There is also an 1838 Nimms & Clark square, or boxed, grand piano, shipped in 1850 around the Horn. The table was made in England in 1855 of oak inlaid with Ebony.

The rug on the floor of the Parlor is from 1871. The curtains are reproductions, but are probably very similar to the ones which originally hung in this room. With the Spanish and French influence here in the Southwest, moire was probably the material used rather than velvet. The andirons on the fireplace are original to the building (two pairs were found in the basement), and have the Union Coat of Arms on them.

A picture of Andreas Pico hangs on the wall. He was the first commander of the Native California Calvary, which was started at Camp Drum.

The Schoenberger Family playing in the Parlor.  Christmas, 2005