Upon entering the mansion, most visitors are first struck by the glorious crystal chandelier. It is one of many lighting fixtures original with the house, though certainly the grandest, and it is believed to be either early Wedgewood or Baccarat crystal. All of the painted wood in the foyer is of solid mahogany. The wood was painted at the request of Harding Allen when he decided that the mahogany was too dark and austere for the entryway. The marble is of the highest quality, imported from Italy.

There are a number of features in the mansion that were very advanced for their time. For example, the foyer has a heated closet in which, as in all closets in the Estate, the light is triggered when the door is opened. Also off the foyer is an original bathroom and a ladies' powder room (now used as a storage closet). The doors to both, were it not for their handles, could be mistaken for ordinary wall panels, as there are no apparent hinges inside or out.

See a vintage picture of the foyer

Photo courtesy Ericson Photography