Historic Room Restorations Announced

Room #36 presents a cozy and intellectual environment for its inhabitants, combining elements of classic design with a subtle modern touch. This room, with its warm wood tones, introspective dark blue hues, and mixture of Victorian and modern aesthetics is evocative of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s approach to leadership—a blend of tradition, practicality, and strategic foresight.

Room #37 is thoughtfully designed to commemorate Calvin Coolidge, capturing the essence of his era while infusing the space with a playful yet refined color palette. The room pays homage to Coolidge’s legacy through a harmonious blend of light blues, milky whites, salmon, and deep mahogany reds—colors that evoke a sense of tradition and understated elegance, much like the man himself. His original desk remains in the room.

The 1800s were a time for major transition and renovation. Much like the era of Lewis and Clark's Expedition, the Victorian revival was ushering into a new approach to design. Orderliness and ornamentation are a prominent feature of the Victorian era, reflecting the intent behind Thomas Jeffersons reasoning for the Lewis and Clark expedition: to find the most direct and practical water communication across the continent. This practicality and order are evident in the design of the Expedition room. Paying homage back to our native America, the color scheme is set to natural hues.

Peter Norbeck, a prominent American politician from South Dakota, served two terms as the state’s ninth governor before being elected to three consecutive terms as a United States senator. His legacy is celebrated in a room that embodies a South Dakotan theme, featuring retro orthogonal tiling and plaid-styled wallpaper. The space is adorned with dark rustic colors including forest green, tanned brown, and black, contrasted with shades of white.

The 19th century brought forth an international reform, including a trend towards the fine arts and changes in America’s legal systems. Mary “Mamie” Shields Pyle was known for her humanistic approach and strong support of the women in South Dakota. An advocate for women as well as a strong role model, Mamie was bold in her leadership skills and aspired to bring forth a reform to South Dakota.

Art Deco was an inspiration for the world of design, motivating the arts to move in a bold and ornate style. Much like this trend, Grace Anna Coolidge was an inspiration for many. Not only a first lady but was also voted as one of Americas twelve greatest living women due to her “fine personal influence exerted as First Lady of the Land.” Subtle elegance accompanies the space using hues of green and deep blush, detailed wooden furniture, a large canopy bed, and aesthetic wall moldings.