Name/Title
DeskEntry/Object ID
1976.54Description
Narrow wooden desk with two lifting writing surfaces. The desk has a slanted top that opens into two shallow storage boxes. The desk sits on H-shaped piers, supported by a stretcher across the bottom. The piers are stained a dark color than the top of the desk and are scrolled and decorated with applied, carved bull's eyes. The right side of the desk has two metal plaques, one reading, "Seat of Consuela Northrup Bailey 1951 First lady speaker of the House", and the other reading, "Seat of Miss Edna L. Beard First lady member 1921".Context
Used by both Edna Beard, first female member of the Vermont State House of Representatives, and Consuela Northrup Bailey, first female Speaker of the House of the Vermont State House of Representatives.
This is one of the original desks from the House Chamber, installed in 1858-1859. It was made by Boston furniture maker Blake & Davenport. These desks remained in place until reapportionment in 1968, when the house desk and chair arrangement changed to reflect new seating requirements for the House. At that time, some of the furnishings from the State House were auctioned off to help fund the new VHS Museum in the Pavilion Building, but this desk was held out and kept intact for the collection.
While the story of both the first female member and first female Speaker using this desk is important, Beard's use of this desk was actually not why Bailey chose it when she took office: it was her father's desk when he served in the House.Acquisition
Accession
1976.54Acquisition Method
UnknownLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
DeskNomenclature Sub-Class
Storage & Display FurnitureNomenclature Class
FurnitureNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsDimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
34-1/2 inWidth
46-3/4 inDepth
14-3/4 inRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Bailey, Consuelo NorthrupPerson or Organization
Beard, EdnaRelated Places
Place
Building
Vermont State HouseCity
MontpelierCounty
Washington CountyState/Province
VermontCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North America