06. Billiard Room
Second Floor, South Wing
Transcript
This room has been repurposed by the Historical Society as a meeting space, collections processing area, and digital lab, but in its original incarnation, it was the Billiard Room.
A popular retreat during the Victorian Era, men would gather to play billiards after dinner, often enjoying cigars and brandy. The Richardson family, ahead of its time, welcomed women to join in, reflecting their modern and inclusive spirit.
Although much of the original furniture and décor has been lost to time, key elements such as the settee, faux marble fireplace mantel, distinctive flooring, and wainscoting with carved lion heads remain. These historic features now serve as a backdrop for a display that includes items beyond the Richardson-Bates family legacy. The walls are adorned with portraits of prominent Oswegonians and a tall clock, from one of the Town of Schroeppel’s oldest mansions, adds a touch of timeless charm.
At the rear of the room, a door opens to a sleeping porch, an early 20th-century addition that further enriches the house’s storied past.