Hayes sideboard
Fry, Henry L.1880
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Fremont, United States
The uppermost section has a concave panel with leaf and flower carvings below the top piece; above the concave piece, the upper section has leaves carved into it; there are bulb shaped pieces between squares connect upper piece to middle section; there is a single shelf just above the concave panel. All of the large carved panels of flowers or leaves are separate sections of wood that are screwed together with the rest of the piece. The middle section has fern leaves carved in relief on below glass cabinets; carved tree leaves in panels on outside and interior side of each cabinet; glass fronted cabinets have a single shelf and bottom; above the cabinet is another shelf for display that is the top of the cabinet; a shelf sits above that as well; large mirror inset into mahogany between the two glass fronted cabinets; along front of cabinets are carved leaves on either side of the glass; On the top of the sideboard (bottom section) are carvings: there are four presidential eagles with "E Pluribus Unum" above each leg on top of sideboard; each are separate pieces; there are textured leaves in between the eagles; three sections of leaves; flower and circle on bottom drawers inlay - carvings of scrollwork around edge; each drawer has a metal diamond pice from which the pull is connected; no drawers in center panel; just large eagle in a arch on a rock; there are rosettes carved in at the top of the door; keyhole on middle left sided of door; along the sides of that panel is oak leaves and acorns - they also occur on the edges of the piece; panels on side of bottom piece of different leaves in a square panel; different leaves on each of the four door panels on bottom; eagle in center panel; bottom of piece is eagle claws resting on balls - there are four in the front and two in the back.
- Title: Hayes sideboard
- Creator: Fry, Henry L.
- Date: 1880
- Physical Location: Fremont, Ohio
- Provenance: Sideboard order made by Pres. and Lucy Hayes in 1880, and carved by Henry L. Fry of Cincinnati, Ohio; Fry also carved a matching buffet table used later by Pres. Arthur on which to display his White House china; sideboard was sold, with other 'surplus' White House furniture, in January, 1903, to Joseph M. Frank, beer garden proprietor, in Washington, D. C., for $85.00, who thereafter asked $3000.00 for it. Col. Webb C. Hayes refused to buy it at that price. Frank claimed to have turned down $5000.00 for the sideboard in 1905, When, retired, he set out to substantiate reports that the sideboard had been a gift of Cincinnati W.C.T.U. to Lucy Hayes, this despite the statement of Col. Bingham, Supt. of Public Buildings and Grounds that the sideboard had been purchased by the government from Mr. Fry. At various times, the Hayes Museum had refused to pay prices such as $18,000.00 for the sideboard, until October 21, 1967, when Watt P. Marchman, director of the Hayes Museum, paid $2500.00 to Joseph M. Franks, owner, of Lovettsville, VA (Rose Antique shop, agent, Washington, D. C.) purchase order no. 1811.
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