The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-11-11
THE STORY OF RCSEMONT
Continued From Page g.

were moved 10 tears ny lIe Sdu SeS41S
of desolation which met their eyes.
The vice regents again set to work to
raise funds in their respective states.
In their embarrassment they were
ably assisted by Mr.. G. ". Riggs OF
Washington, who advanced funds to
aid in continuing the work Of restor-
alton. They also brought bill be-
fore congress for indemnity for the
use of the Mount Vernon boat as a
transport for troops. After long
cppositlon the bill was ->assed and the
$500 secured was used in repairing
Mount Vernon. This was Miss Cum
ingham's last victory over difficulties
and disappointments enough to have
made any but an inspired spirit quail
and succumb. When she retired from
the regency she had just strength
enough to return to South Carolina.
In her farewell address to the board
of vice regents she used these words:
.Iadies, the home of Washington IS
in your charge; see to it that you keep
it the home of Washington. Let no
irreverent hands change it; no vandal
hand desecrate it with the fingers OF
progress. Those who go to the home
in which he lived and died wish to see
in what he lived and died! Let one
spot in this grand country of ours
be saved from change! Upon you
rests this duty"
At Rosemont, the home of her an
cestors, surrounded by the surviving
members of her family, she &aled IN
the wear 1875. Her great work Will
live for ages and will ever be great
and glorious monument to her mem
ory. Her dying request was that she
should be buried in Columbia and sne
rests there today. The monument oV-
er her grave was erected by her ne
phews. If it were possible, how we'll
would it be if her own home could be
purchased and preserved. Future
generations would find in it always
much to attract and inspire. There
are very few such old places left and
none with so rich a collection of OLD
and rare articles.
.Rosemons Today.
Rosemont today inside is just as it
was the day Miss Cunningham died and
almost as it was IT'S years ago. The
carpet you see in the picture of the
drawing room is IT'S or more year old
and is perfectly preserved. Its fresh
ness almost bellies its age, but OF It's
age there is no doubt. Visitors arc
cordially admitted by Maj. Robert N.
Cunningham, who is the sole occu-
pant Of the place. The usual way no"
is by the dining room entrance. inns
entrance is the one formerly used IN
bringing meals from the ktchen'
which in accordance with old TIME
STYLE, was in the yard. a brick walk
connected the kitchen and the house.
The kitchen was burned many years
ago. In the dining room are seen the
immense silver walters used IN BRING
ing food from the kitchen. They can
be seen stacked up one on the other IN
the picture. The family at one time
had among the silver plate, silver
walters as large as these, but they
have disappeared. At the right OF the
entrance is a, solid mahopany SIDE
board. It's top is covered with pieces
of hand-cut glass and genuine wedge
wood. Above the, ,sideboard IS por-
trait of Miss Pamela. At the right of
the sideboard hangs large steel en-
craving of Franklin at the court OF
Louis XVI. This is said to be one OF
the five originals of this picture.
There are numerous copies smaller IN
size. Also on the right is large oil
portrait of the father of Maj. Robert
Cunningham, brother Of Miss Pam
ella. Nearby are group of old sill
houettes of members of the family.
These quaint pictures were much IN
vogue at one time. Opening the door
of the china closet sight is revealed
which thrills the heart of every lady
visitor. Inside there is display un-
like any in the country. Not piece
of blown or machine cut glass, but
many, very many, pieces of hand cut
glass over hundred years old. China
over IT'S years old, ornamented with
pure gold leaf, which is as bright to-
day as it was ITS years ago. The most
magnificent piece in this collection IS
the coffee urn, which is well display
ed in the picture. Many portraits
adorn the walls. Most of the pictures
were burned. The family moved to
"a