The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-18
CHlLDS' FAMOUS HOME.


Another historic ldnunaih ldiiS Dc-
fore the encroaching tread OF the New
Philadelphia. The marble mansion at
the southeast corner OF Twenty-second
and Walnut streets. in which george
w. Childs lived and died. is TO be
| turned into an apartment house. There
Is more than passing interest In the
transformation OF the Childs mansion.
/ Within It's walls distinguished men and
women of the past were entertained
during that period of the great social
life of Philadelphia. the Centennial ex-
hlbIton. One room in particular has
a history. the room In which Gen. Grant
wrote his opening Centennial address.
known ever since as the Grant room.
Strange 10 say. IL was I'm this room that
the great Philadelphia philanthropist
died. says the Philadelphia Times
Since Mr. Childs' death the residence
has passed through the hands OF two
men William T., Deakyne and it's pres
ent owner. Thomas III. Green. Mr..
Green il is who will erect the apartment
house. II Is understood that the plans
for the new structure are so arranged
that the original building will not be
changed 10 any great extent. The
mansard roof is 10 be taken OFF and
eight additional stories added The
superstructure will be OK buff brick in
the most modern style OF architecture
the Italian Renaissance. The wall
in the rear and the stable are to be de-
molshed.
Nothing in the interior OF the build
ing will be touched. because Mr.. Green
believes the apartments are of class
which VIII need no alteration. In view
Of the fact that the Childs mansion was
built g, 1871. this is remarkable. Al
that time Twenty-second and Walnut
streets was considered out of town.
Buildings were SO scarce In the vicinity
that from the windows OF Grants room
1t was possible 90 get an unobstructed
view OF the Almshouse across the
Schuylkill.
SO substantially was the house con-
structed. no veneering work being done.
but in every case only solid blocks or
marble used that about twenty years
ago. when testimony was being taken
In a suit over the marble work df the
city hall. IL was said in open court that
the marble work OF this mansion Was
the finest i'm the country.
The Childs mansion is known as a
double house" the entrance door be-
ing at the center OF the facade. When
completed and furnished it's cost was
no. less than half million dollars. the
brass work alone being worth $4,000.
When Mrs. Childs ouhit her Washing
ton house after her husbands death.
she moved all the furniture from the
Walnut street residence, leaving only
the parlor intact. the furniture OF
which Nas sold with the building.
The halls of the house are finished
for the most part In mahogany, panel.
r.! in bIds-eye maple. The-d drawing
rooGl has crimson satin panels, Sc. In
rose and SATIN wood. Handsome pa
pier-mache work adorns the ceiling.
The dining room. which is divided
from the drawing room by heavy hang
ings, is i'm oak and rare Ambo2na
wood. The ceiling is I'm white and gold
and hs walls are covcre with paper
rcse nt.'ng leather. on the right of the
front Gcor is the library. 1t was in This
room that Grant loved to smo<e.
Among the frequent guests who were
entertained i'm this house might he
mentioned Mr.. and Mrs. Hamilton
Fish. Monckton Mines C.ord Hough-
toni, John Bright, NJ. r. o. gochdale,
Joseph Chamberlain. Dean stanley. W.
w. Storey, the sculptor: Henry Wads. |
worth Longfelow. Ralph Waldo Emer- |
son, Or. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Mr. |
Evarts. Miss Charlotte Cushmap. Lord |
Dufferin. George Augustus Sala. N.i |
Tyndall. Mr.. Froude Wilkie Collins. |
Prof. Joseph Henry. Vice President |
Henry Wilson and the Emperor and /
Empress of Brazil