The Rooms of Nottoway
Gentleman's Study
As Mr. Randolph's private domain, he would attend to plantation matters in the study. In this picture, he is 55 years old. The fireplace shown is Petora marble, and came in seperate pieces which required assembly. The room also featured an original dice set from the Civil War.
White Ballroom
This room was the site of many Randolph family parties, their daughters' debuts to society, and five of the girls' weddings. "I wish this room to be a pure white in order to offset the beauty of my ladies," Randolph was said to have instructed. In this picture is the famous portait of Mary Penshaw, who looks at you wherever you stand. This illusion was made possible by a process called "dotting of the irises". The ballroom included exquisite plasterwork, double fireplaces, Corinthian columns and hand-cast archways.
Dining Room
Just as the study catered to Randolph, so the dining room was a reflection of Mrs. Randolph, with a camellia design in the plaster work to reflect her favorite flower. In this picture is a valued set of French porcelain called Sevres. The design was made for King Luis Phillippe of France in 1830 and each piece is hand painted with a different romantic motif.
Music Room
This room was regularly used by the Randolph family, both for entertainment and also for the children's music lessons. The girls took piano from a German instructor and dancing lessons. The room now includes many valuable instruments of that period.
Great Ancestral Hall
Located on the third floor, the Randolphs were very proud of the Ancestral Hall. It was where the family went before bed and after dinner to socialize. One of the most used windows in the home is located at the front of the Ancestral Hall. It opens to the third floor gallery and its spectacular view of the Mississippi River, shown to the left.
Master Bedroom
This large room was the couple's private room. It featured three original pieces: the bed, bonnetiere, and dresser. Hollow posts in the bed may have been used to hide valuables, like jewelry, during the Civil War. Today, it is also a guest room featuring a hand carved rosewood poster bed with mosquito netting.