Sitting Room/Isaac’s Office
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Sitting Room/Isaac's Office

This more formal downstairs sitting room was used for keeping household accounts, letter writing, and orderly family gatherings. Whereas the parlor was only used for visitors and special occasions. All the books in the room belong to the Cappon family and most date to 1900 or before. The only furniture not original to the room are the revolving desk chair and sofa. These pieces are from the museum’s collection and replace items listed on the 1902 inventory but not found in the house.

The stereoscope on the center table was an early way for people to see far away places and other cultures in a time before television, video, and even printed magazines. The doll sitting on the rocking chair is named Rose and belonged to Ida Cappon. The rocking chair was Ida’s as a child and was returned to the home after Ida’s death in 1992.

The original electrolier (chandelier) was installed in 1893 when the house was wired for electricity and hangs in the middle of the original ceiling medallion.  The curtain rods with colored rings seen above the bay window are original to the home.

The north door goes out to a porch where Lake Macatawa could be seen. Because this door has a bell, it was likely also used by Isaac’s business associates if he was working from home that day and did not want to disturb the family by using the main entrance.

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