The Whist (c. 1882)

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The Whist, meaning a place where silence reigns supreme, originated as a compact 12 by 14 foot structure that formed part of the sprawling Moseley Homestead complex. This diminutive building dates back to circa 1882 and served as a tranquil retreat for Julia Daniels Moseley, an artist and writer, who sought refuge from the bustling main house during her challenging second pregnancy. In correspondence, JDM described The Whist as boasting five windows and a small entrance door, along with plush comforts such as a spacious lounge area filled with pillows, a room rug, a table, a shelf running along the western wall, and a case of drawers. Julia's letters reveal that she surrounded herself within these confines with an array of captivating objects, including works of art, trinkets, and wild specimens, topped off by a wreath fashioned from a passion vine draped elegantly across the entrance door. Research conducted at this historic National Register property suggests that The Whist was likely absorbed into the main house's structure and roofing system sometime after its original construction, subsequently being relocated to a row of outbuildings on the site and rechristened The Whist around 1913.