The Game Room

The Game Room. Hardman Farm Historic Site. In an ostentatious display of wealth, James Nichols built a "Game" or "gentlemen's" house across the creek from his residence. Here male visitors could smoke, drink and tell tall tales., Originally, this was a two-room structure, that was later modified to six room with two porches. Used for entertaining his male guests, the house contained a large game room on the second floor fir billiards and cards, and a library, as well as several bedrooms. The first floor was originally unfinished, and served as a kennel for Nichols' hunting dogs. Over the years, this house was modified to be used as a residence for one to he caretaker's families., The house's style is typical Gothic Revival and had details that mirror those found on the main house and its outlaying structures. No historic photographs of this structure have been discovered that might reveal any architectural changes that have taken place., The second and third owners, Hunnicutt and Hardman, maintained this house and used it for various purposes as both had extensive families and caretakers. The original slate from the pool table is now used as countertops in the kitchen of the main house., Decorative vergeborads, or gable trim are found on many of the outbuildings here at Hardman Farm. Theses vergeborads are not all the same. For example, theses photography show four different styles. The post finial on the gable is also indicative of Gothic Revival and occurs on several of the outbuildings.