Secretary
Object/Artifact
Ornate walnut Victorian desk featuring carved and scrolled trim. Lower section has multi sized shelves and opens into a desk. The interior of the desk also has scrolled woodworking. It has eight cubbies, two drawers, and a leather desk pad with gold tooling. The top portion of the desk attaches to the bottom with pegs. It has three wide shelves along with small side shelves for curios. Includes original key with working locking mechanism.
2025.45.001a-b
This desk was originally owned by the Hamilton family of Caledonia, New York. The desk remained in the Hamilton/Wilson family until it came to the GCV&M in 2025. The Hamilton Family in Caledonia was instrumental in the establishment of William Hamilton & Sons, a grain and feed business in Caledonia in the mid-1800's. The also built the stone wall around the Mumford Rural Cemetery. The desk made it's way to Josephine Wilson Hamilton's brother Newton Wilson who lived in Texas. There is a photograph of Newton Wilson sitting in front of the desk dated 1889. (2025.45.002) The desk passed through the family until it traveled to a relative in Georgia who then donated it to the GCV&M. Josephine Wilson Hamilton lived in the house at the intersection of Church and Jersey in Caledonia (see photograph). The business was located on North Street at the New York Central Spur, but the building no longer exists.
Genesee Country Village and Museum
circa 1885
Other Number
2025.45.001.a-b
78-1/2 in
42 in
19-1/2 in
Dimensions are both pieces together as shown, with desk closed
2
1 desk, 1 hutch
Walnut
Leather
Caledonia
New York
United States of America
North America
2025.45.002