Extra Credit Questions

[L Verge]

At Surratt House, we actually have a stone bed warmer sitting on the hearth during the winter months, and we also explain that it was nothing to have to chip a layer of ice off of the pitcher of water by the washbowl in the morning.

Every room except two have fireplaces (no stoves - except in the kitchen). There is an unfinished room over the kitchen wing where the weapons and supplies were hidden as part of the kidnap scheme. Since the Surratts were slave owners and had at least one domestic slave (Aunt Rachel), we restored this room to represent Aunt Rachel's. It is largely unfinished, with fresh air coming in under the eaves of the roof and no source of heat except for what came up through the floor boards from the kitchen below.

In the summer, it can get over 100 degrees in there - which we quickly point out to visitors. In the winter, it is just a little above what the outdoor temperature is -- which we quickly point out to visitors. You get their attention very quickly the minute you open the small door that leads into that room.