The Main Bedroom

About this Room

Today, Rosson House and the other historical buildings at the Square all have air conditioning. It’s hard to believe the hot climate didn’t stop people from making this place their home over a century ago, but they did so, and they adapted to the heat. During the hotter months, people who could afford to would temporarily leave town, and those who stayed would wear lightweight “summer” clothing (including underwear and corsets), go swimming when able, and would sleep in well-ventilated areas to stay cool at night – with open windows and doors, electric fans (if they could afford them), and even by sleeping outside.

Find out more about some of the artifacts in the main bedroom by clicking the arrows on the top left above each image. Don’t see your favorite artifact here? Let us know you’d like to learn more about something by filling out this form.

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Bedroom Set

This double bed and its matching vanity or dresser are made of machine-carved burled walnut in the Renaissance Revival style (1860-1885). This style is characterized by pieces that are massive in size, with raised or inset burled panels and heavily carved finials and crests.

Cedar Closet

Found over the connecting door to the Nursery, this built-in cedar cabinet is original to Rosson House, and would have been used for off-season clothing storage for those who lived here. Currently, it is mostly filled with ductwork for the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system that was installed in the home during restoration.

Corner Sink

Plumbing and marks found on the wall during restoration indicated the presence of a corner sink in this room, which was popular at the time the home was built. Marks on the wall were consistent with the size of the current sink. The sink is an antique, marble topped sink, and was installed during restoration.

Doorbell

During restoration, wires were found in the wall to the left of the bedroom door, connecting to others in the back hallway downstairs. They were a part of the original doorbell system that could sound a bell either downstairs or upstairs, but not both at the same time. The patches covering the holes in the wall from the bells and switch were covered with a different type of plaster, and were located over the very first layer of wallpaper. This suggests that the doorbell system was removed early in the history of the house.

Electric Fan

An Electric Westinghouse brand fan, circa 1906. The base and casing of motor are iron and are painted a glossy black, and the blades and cover are brass. The front of the fan blade cover has two brass flaps used for directing the air. The base has an on/off switch and may have had a multiple speed button as well.

Quilt

This beautiful, hand-sewn quilt has a wedding ring pattern made from multicolored interlocking rings on a white cotton background. It has been expertly dated to 1930-1949.

Writing Set

A wooden writing set with a drawer in the front for keeping paper/letters, two glass ink bottles with lids, an indention for pens and a separate indention with a lid for pen nibs. This desk set belonged to Whitelaw Reid – editor of the New York Times, Ambassador to France and later to England, and one-time Vice Presidential candidate – who rented Rosson House from the Rosson family for two winters.

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Exhibit Signage

Living in Phoenix’s Climate

Part of a letter from Whitelaw Reid, dated April 7, 1896, talking about how residents of Phoenix at that time would sometimes sleep outside.
Clipping from the 1921 Honor Bilt Modern Homes catalog (part of the Sears Roebuck company), showing home builders a potential setup for a sleeping porch.
Clipping from the Arizona Republican newspaper on May 15, 1909, advertising dresses for hot summer weather from the Francis store.
Images from the 1900 Peerless company catalog, selling desk and ceiling fan motors.
Clipping from the Arizona Republican newspaper on April 17, 1902, advertising “Cool Clothing for Warm Days” from The New York Store.
Ad from the 1896 Phoenix City Directory for a local swimming pool.

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