An Early 1900 Parlour

In the 1900s, the parlour was an important room in the house. It would only be used for special occasions, like weddings or funerals. In most of the parlours, like the one in this picture, there would be a chandelier, a couple of fancy chairs or seats, maybe a piano, some pictures on the wall, a fireplace, a table and some plants.

Funerals in the 1900's were very different than they are nowadays. They weren't held in a funeral home; they were held in a parlour in someone's house. The parlour was the most fanciest room of the house, and it was only used for special occasions. For instance, it would be used when special visitors like the minister or priest came over, or for weddings or funerals.

The Parlour

A long time ago, people didn't have big funeral homes like we do now. They had parlours, which were rooms in the homes that people lived in back then.

When somebody died, families would use their parlour as a funeral home. This would probably be the most beautiful room in the whole house.

Anne Shirley and Diana Barry visit Diana's rich aunt, Miss Josephine Barry, in Charlottetown. Neither has ever seen such a richly furnished house.