Governor Richard McCormick and his wife Margaret lived in the north wing. Governor John Goodwin had originally lived in the south wing. Since he had gone east to assume the post of Territorial Delegate, the McCormicks turned his wing into the office. During this time, Henry Fleury and Margaret's cousin lived upstairs in the loft. Richard McCormick brought his desk and a safe overland with the Governor's Party. Most of the rest of the furniture was made of Ponderosa pine by local craftsmen. Because of the high cost of freighting anything in from California or the east, the McCormick's brought few household possessions. Frontier life in Prescott provided a simplified lifestyle for everyone.
The furniture is hand made, mostly, from pine. Margaret, in a letter to Emma, mentioned that she had work done on the kitchen and dining room in December, 1865. On April 9, 1866 she wrote Emma that she had a nice lot of furniture made. The furniture on exhibit is original except for the few pieces noted. Except for the few small objects in the glass case in the exhibit room, none of the artifacts in this building were owned by the McCormicks or used in this building.
Office furnishings are limited to places for Richard McCormick and Henry Fleury to work. There is also a table at which Margaret's cousin has a place. The other objects are typical of what might be found during the time period. There is no evidence that there were more furnishings. Margaret indicated in a letter to her brother that they danced indoors. This room would be the only one that could accommodate that activity.
