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 Elegance,
Distinction,
Romance, Tradition...
...achieve all of these with a special celebration at
Decker Cultural Center on Front Street. On the lawn or in the
mansion, Decker provides a touch of class to make your occasion magical.
Community groups, organizations, and individuals may reserve the first floor for
weddings, receptions, social events, Christmas parties, meetings, small
conferences, and fund-raisers.
The Roberson Mansion is also available to rent for special occasions.
Contact the Rental Coordinator
at Roberson Museum and Science Center
for details and a brochure package.
(607)772-0660
The History of the Decker Arts & Cultural Center
Much has changed in Binghamton since the Decker Arts & Cultural Center, formerly
known as the Sherwood B. Davidge home, was built in 1903. Gone are the trolley
cars which ran up and down the then tree-lined streets. Gone are the industries
which helped Binghamton to prosper: Swamp Root elixir, Lester Shoes, Ansco film,
and oh! those cigars.
The architecture of the era remains, however, as a memory of
Binghamton's wealth and beauty. Despite its industrial flavor, Binghamton, a
city of beautiful homes with extensive and well-kept lawns, was still enjoying,
in 1903, the era of the "Parlor City", so named because of its neat, showplace
appearance, like the old-fashioned parlors.
Sherwood Davidge moved to Binghamton in 1901 after retiring
from the lucrative family tannery business in Newark Valley and Berkshire, New
York. In 1903, he commissioned Sanford O. Lacey to build the stately mansion
which stands at 31 Front Street. Our charming three-story structure was an
appropriate home for a man whose leadership and prominence influenced the growth
of Binghamton.
If you tour the house, look for some of its unique features
and exquisite craftsmanship:
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An oval sitting room, hinted at from the outside by its
oval "windows"
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Hidden sliding doors which make each room very private
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Dining room walls and ceiling covered with a thick,
fabric-backed paper embossed with a coat-of-arms, giving the appearance of incised plaster work
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Lavish mahogany walls throughout the first and second
floor hallways and carved alcoves where a statue might rest
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Leaded glass windows in the entryways
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Red fireplace tiles, probably imported from Minton,
England
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A stained glass dome in the second floor ceiling, awesome
when the sun shines through the third floor ballroom's skylight
In 1993, a grant from the Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B.
Decker Foundation enabled Roberson Museum and Science Center to purchase the
elegant home for the continued use and enjoyment of the community. Today, the
rear addition and upper floors provide office space for area non-profit
organizations.
Click on an image for larger view
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Contact the Rental Coordinator
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