Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - August 16, 1998
By Barbara Carney
Vigo County Historical Society

Chauncey Rose’s secretary an outstanding piece at museum

One of the outstanding furnishings in the upstairs parlor of the Vigo County Historical Museum is the personal secretary that belonged to Chauncey Rose. A striking piece, it appears to be made of a variety of woods, predominantly mahogany.

The secretary is about 6 1/2 feet tall and about 4 feet wide. Some interesting carvings border the edges and drawer fronts. One of the carvings is a Masonic symbol with a carved area for small items attached to the wooden door panels. It is not know if the symbol and door inserts were of the Rose era or added later.

The secretary houses a number of antique volumes, many leather bound. The desk top is personalized with a handsomely framed photograph of Rose, an inlaid letter box, an oil lamp, cigar holder, brass-encased blotter and letter opener.

The secretary was later owned by Albert A. Faurot and was presented to the museum of Anna Sankey Faurot in her will. Chauncey Rose came to Vigo County from Connecticut shortly after the War of 1812 and became a well-known merchant by 1824. His home was located on the site of the former University School.

The wealth amassed by Rose was used to found the Rose Polytechnic Institute, to fund the Ladies Aid Society, the Rose Orphans Home, Wabash College and other organizations.

His name and legacy live on in the buildings and institutions, both past and present, named in his honor.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4.p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.