Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-03
OLIVIA AND HER HOME.
A VisitOr's Recoilections of the Old
Mansion in Maple Square.

| To the Editor of The Evening Star:
In a recent issue of The Star I noticed
a reference to the home of "Olivia" Briggs,
and it recalled a cherished recollection of
last September's encampment For years
1 had wished to visit Mrs. Briggs, and one
wet morning gratified my desire.
Maple Square mansion is a real colonial
home, in which the elegant yet simple
manners of former times are in every day
use Under the old trees Lafayette DOTTED
his plumed helmet to fair ladies. The lawn
was the retreat of the capital citys bellies
and beaus sixty years since" Webster,
Van Ness Writ Calhoun discussed the ma
TONS business in that old pordco.
That this estate is preserved to the pres,
be- highly gratified; for it is more instruc-
tive than all the maps and books that can
be produced descriptive Of the Washing-
successfully Maple Square has been the
property of Maj. Nicholson, j.. NJ Clay,
Count Pourtales and Mrs. Emile brigss,
the present owner. A part OF the house
was built more than a century ago OF brick
brought from England
The entire structure Is an antiquated
pile of whitewash,ed brick, win REQ v ard
suggestive of the homes OF old Eng ianu.
Without the introduction OF vesupule
the front doors open into the wide nail.
on the left of which is the massive stair
way. .,r
The exterior of Maple Square is falr
index to the interior. No modernism mars
the charm of antiquity. Inc library rSp,
resents about as fine a collection OF DOCKS
as / saw in any private mousse III W asn-
ington. The room is spacious ana sunny,
and furnished with a view to comfort as
well as elegance. .
The parlors are extensive, imposing apart, {,
ments, more than hundred years DID,
Mrs. Briggs remarked And many DILL
liant gatherings have they witnessed
The ball room, which joins the parlors,
contains some curious bric-a-brac. Many
valuable paintings, some of them COM
memorating scenes of historic interest,"
adorn the walls. One picture that particu-
larly engaged my attention represented
hunting party starting from the doors OF
Mt. Vernon.
The court yard is in a fine state Of pres
eryation and so entirely free from fnnova-
ton that / half expected a turbaned head
to peep from somewhere as we inspected II
The dining room is large and CHEEKY and.
like the other apartments, complete in Its
ancient equipment. ponderous side
board occupies one corner and lis almost
covered with massive plate. The cozy
but not more than the great kitchen with
it's painted floor and walls, hung with pol
ished utensils.
From the long back porch we overlooked
the luxuriant park.
In spite of the rain workmen were pre-
pairing the grounds for the entertainment
given the veterans on the next evening
Many comrades, l know, recollect that cor
dial reception, which added another to the
patriotic memories of the old house Some
of the boys" had seen the place before
During those dark days when Washington
was both threatened and defended by her
sons Maple Square was opened to the sick
and wounded, and OLIVIA" was an untir-
ing benefactress.
Georgia E. Wharton.
branchville Nd, August 1.