One of the great joys of caring for a historic home is the opportunity to welcome new pieces that reflect its era and enrich its story. This spring, the Meux Home Museum received a remarkable donation: a complete bedroom suite believed to date to the early 1870s.
The collection includes a tall bed frame, a matching dresser, a highboy, a vanity table, and a delicate pink settee. Each piece carries the quiet elegance of its time. Rich wood grain, graceful carvings, and original period hardware evoke an era when craftsmanship met comfort and interiors were created with lasting intention.
We are honored to share that this suite was generously donated by Joyce Wells Davis of the Wells family. Her thoughtful gift brings new life to the museum and offers our guests an extraordinary glimpse into nineteenth-century domestic style. The Wells name is one deeply rooted in Central Valley history, and it is a privilege to receive this heirloom as part of the Meux Home’s evolving interpretation.
In addition to the bedroom suite, the museum was recently entrusted with a number of personal items from the estate of Donna Garrett. Among them is a charming collection of vintage hats and accessories that speak to the elegance and individuality of the early and mid-twentieth century. We are deeply grateful to Donna Garrett’s family for thinking of the Meux Home Museum when choosing how best to honor her memory. Their generosity helps preserve not only artifacts, but the spirit of those who once wore and cherished them.
As a museum that thrives on community partnership, we also want to extend our thanks to Cameron Wells of Wells Estate Sales for his help in facilitating these meaningful contributions. If you or your loved ones are in need of thoughtful estate planning services, we encourage you to reach out to Cameron directly at 559-999-6105. His respect for history and heritage is evident in the way he works.
Soon, visitors will be able to experience these treasures as part of a reimagined upstairs bedroom exhibit. The room will invite guests to consider what Dr. and Mrs. Meux would have been surrounded by more than 150 years ago, furnished with pieces chosen with care and preserved with pride.
We are grateful for each addition to the collection, not only for its beauty, but for the intention behind it. Every object at the Meux Home tells a story. These recent gifts help us share new chapters with the community we serve. If you would like to see them for yourself, we warmly invite you to visit the museum and experience them in person.
