Welcome to the formal parlor where Henry and Joanna Lane entertained their guests and where General Lew Wallace met his future wife, Susan, Joanna's sister. Above the fireplace see Henry Lane himself as painted by Lew Wallace during the summer of 1868.

Note Joanna's square piano from New York City, purchased in 1845. It probably cost more to transport it Crawfordsville than the actual retail price. There were no roads or railroads to Indiana; thus, the piano was put on a sailing ship along the Atlantic coast to Florida and finally up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River to Madison, Indiana, where it was taken by oxcart to Crawfordsville—very much a frontier town at that time.

Also see items that the Lanes purchased in France (1845), such as the Louis XV sofa. Other purchases from France include an Argand lamp (Baccarat crystal) and cobalt blue wine set, both displayed on a round marble-topped table that Joanna's parents bought in New Orleans in 1835 for their new home.

Mrs. Lane stored her sheet music in a music cabinet of ebony with Italian marble top and hand-painted porcelain insets.

The Empire style game table-with carved acanthus leaves was typical of the period. The teapot (under glass) was given to Admiral Perry in 1854 by the Emperor of Japan when Japan opened their ports for American trade.

A portrait of Sylvia Ann Elston, Joanna's older sister. She never married and died in 1848 at the age of 24.

Other items of interest:

* A portait of Mrs. James Wilson (Emma), wife of James, the Lanes considered them proteges. The Wilson's son was named after Henry Lane.
* A portait of Susan Elston Wallace, sister of Joanna, wife of Lew Wallace. Susan and Lew met in this room and his words were "She will love me — and I shall make her famous by my pen and glorious by my sword."
* A portait of Susan Elston Wallace, circa 1863.