Dining Room

Across from the living room fireplace, sliding doors open to the dining room. 

The table, which accommodates eight, is covered with a tablecloth. (The original table seated 16 people, and filled the room.) Silver napkin rings with their rolled-up napkins, mark each place. Walnut dining chairs, with cane seats and backs, surround the table, with the master chair for Mrs. White at the head of the table. 

There is an oak ice chest against the east wall near the door leading to the kitchen. A hand cranked wall telephone is near the window, and except for the mail or a messenger it was Elmshaven's means of communication with the outside world.

Breakfast was served at 6:30 or 7:00 and dinner at 1:00 or 1:30. Those wishing a supper snack were free to pick it up in the pantry.

Dining With Ellen White

Ellen White, at the head of the table, served as hostess, with Sara McEnterfer next to her on the left. There was an abundance of good food - fruits, grains, vegetables, nuts and dairy products. Almost everything came from her own farm. The eggs were from her own hens. The milk from her Jersey and Guernsey cows was boiled. The cream which rose served in the place of butter. No meat or tea or coffee appeared on the table, nor was it to be found in the home.

"I have a well-set table on all occasions. I make no change for visitors, whether believers or unbelievers. I intend never to be surprised by an unreadiness to entertain at my table from one to half a dozen extra who may chance to come in. I have enough simple, healthful food ready to satisfy hunger and nourish the system. If any want more than this, they are at liberty to find it elsewhere…"

"I generally have an ample supply of fruits, good bread, and vegetables. Our table is always well patronized, and all who partake of the food do well, and improve upon it. All sit down with no epicurean appetite, and eat with a relish the bounties supplied by our Creator." - Testimonies, Volume 2, page 487.

	Place setting in dining room.
	Napkin ring inscribed "Mrs. Ellen G. White."
	Angle Lamp (originally oil, converted to electric)over dining room table. Manufactured by The Angle Lamp Company, New York, c.1900-1904. Rose Floral pattern, white rib chimney tops, frosted elbows.
	Hutch in dining room.
	Telephone in dining room at Elmshaven. Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Company, Chicago, U.S.A.  Also, 1912 telephone directory for Napa and Solano Counties. "Including 3,522 telephones." Bell system.
	Icebox in dining room at Elmhaven. "Ice King." Union Ice Company.