Travel On My Mind...

Hi – Millie again, thanks for coming back to continue with me on adventures in the historic Museum at Buccleuch Mansion. Can you find me in the photo checking out exotic locations on the mural panels?

As I was scampering about one day, I saw these panels on the first stair landing, the ‘Ladies’ moved them here, to be easier to see the wallpaper design. These are two glazed and framed wallpaper panels that were some of the panels from the first floor hallway (put up in the early
1820’s – that is 200 years ago!).

Looking at the pictures on the panels of the 1st floor hallway, I can see the "Monuments of Paris" that the makes me want to do some traveling and see more of the world wonders. The second floor hallway has the “Passage to India” panels, showing a tiger hunt on elephants. I have never seen an elephant, but they sure look big! Notice how colorful the panels that are framed and protected by glass have lasted and not faded, in contrast to the wallpaper panels on the first and second floors, which has been on the walls since 1820!

Another colorful piece of my house is the staircase risers (the painted panel on the front of the stairs). The risers are painted in the “Scotch” carpet pattern; this was discovered during the 1980’s restoration of the house and repainted to match the paint from when the house was first built. The original painting of the risers dates to the 1750’s! That is just after the house was built and my family moved in!

All this talk about travel and foreign places, makes me want to pack a suitcase!

"Written" by Millie Mouse

Millie's family lived in the mansion from the very beginning of the building. Learn about the story of her life in Colonial America through her observations and adventures as she shares the history of the New Brunswick area with young visitors.