THE INTERIOR OF THE MANSION
The chief guide for the furnishings has been the detailed inventory taken of the “Goods and Chattels” of Edward Hand after his death in 1802.
The furnishings and interior arrangement shown seek to convey the lifestyle of the Hand family as they lived at Rock Ford circa 1794 to 1807.
The interior paint colors are based upon analysis used to determine the original colors.
The four levels of Historic Rock Ford conform to the same symmetrical plan— a center hall with four corner rooms.
Katherine Hand's Gown Returns Home to Rock Ford:
This gown of brocaded Spitalfields silk from London, England, likely belonged to Katherine Hand. It was passed down through generations of her family. In 2012, a descendant donated it to Historic Rock Ford which undertook extensive study, repair and conservation. The gown consists of a fitted bodice with attached overskirt, separate petticoat and silk fly fringe. The gown is now on permanent exhibit at Historic Rock Ford and is displayed on a dress form in a custom-made glass case that has internally controlled humidity and climate control as well as U.V. filtering glass to protect the gown's delicate fabric.
The Richard C. von Hess Foundation generously funded the climate-controlled case. The case was designed by Glasbau Hahn, a German company that has produced custom-made climate-controlled glass cases for major museums around the world to allow them to exhibit historic clothing and textiles. Examples include the case that showcases the Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" at the Smithsonian as well as a climate-controlled case to house the mummified remains of King Tutankhamen in the Cairo Museum.