The parlor of the John Fox House was a fine room used for entertaining.

Guests were entertained with singing and musical instruments such as the piano, the banjo and the fiddle.

Guests would often visit or stay with friends and family while attending court, a political meeting or to witness an execution.

Food and hot drinks were served as refreshments. Beverages could be sweetened with sugar broken off of a sugar loaf.

As chewing tobacco was common among men, spittoons were kept in the room.

Ladies in polite society were not supposed to use tobacco unless they were quite old.

When guests were not present, the shutters of the parlor were closed and the room was kept dark.

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.