Stranica 493 [493]
OCR
BANISTER LODGE HE situation of its three-thousand-acre plantation on the Banister River, in Halifax County, gave to this fine brick mansion—built in 1830—its name of Banister Lodge. The plan of the house was simple and commodious. An English basement underneath the entire building, and above, the usual four large rooms, two on each side of the broad hallway that led to the twenty by twentyhve-foot dining-room in the wing at the rear. Rooms and hall on the second floor corresponded in size and design with those of the main floor. The folding doors between the parlor and library were a novelty in that part of the State, and people came for miles around to see them. On the walls of these rooms hung pictures, by famous artists, of members of the family and connections of William H. Clark, the owner and builder of Banister Lodge. Amongst the notable portraits was one of Patrick Henry, who was the grandfather of Mrs. Clark (nee Elvira Henry). She herself is represented by a Sully portrait, showing her standing at her harp—a handsome instrument imported from London in 1820. Mrs. Clark was an unusually brilliant and talented woman. At the age of sixteen, while visiting in Washington at the home of: her cousin, William Wirt, Secretary of State under Monroe, she, by special request, played on her harp at several of the President’s levees. Besides performing on harp and piano, she also composed music for both of these instruments. Her artistic accomplishments, however, did not interfere with her duties towards home and family, as she was a famous hostess and an exemplary wife and mother. Her husband, William H. Clark, was a man of great intellectual force and profound learning, and noted for his active and pro1302]
