The house was built in the Elizabethan style of architecture and resembled the famous Peacock Inn in Rouseley, England. It was constructed of white oak, which grew in a swamp on the estate. The exterior is practically unchanged; and the interior shows low, beamed ceilings and small windows. The entrance door opens into a low hall, from which the stairs ascend to the second story floor. This has been lengthened within the last few years by taking out one of the chimneys. As in many old houses, large rooms open on either side. At the right is the library, which has been enlarged by opening up an alcoved recess. This was formerly a chamber, and is used to-day to accommodate several bookcases filled with rare old books, many of which are in manuscript. The colonial fireplace, with its scriptural tiles, is a feature of this room, where is shown a wonderful old English ball table that was brought over by the emigrant ancestor. The chairs, many of them, were made by Theophilus Pickering, whose old desk where he wrote many of his sermons stands at one side of the fireplace. Rare books and interesting mementoes are found on every side. [Illustration: PLATE XII.--Hallway, Pickering House.] [Illustration: PLATE XIII.--Dining Room, Pickering House; Alcove, Pickering House.] Opposite is a large drawing-room filled with Chippendale and colonial furniture, and showing Colonel Timothy Pickering's picture on the wall. At the rear of this room is a dining-room which, as does the rest of the house, contains more fine furniture. [Illustration: PLATE XIV.--Living Room, Pickering House; Drawing Room, Pickering House.] [Illustration: PLATE XV.--Fireplace with Scriptural Tiles, Pickering House; The Old Pickering Sideboard.] Autograph letters fill many books, some of them received by Colonel Timothy Pickering from President Washington. Rare old glass, china, and silver speak of bygone days. Up-stairs are interesting, rare old four-posters, still showing their quaint hangings; and one notes the old chimney that occupies such a large space in the house. Inside one of the closets is the old army chest marked with Pickering's initials and showing his rank. It was used by him when quartermaster in the Revolutionary War. The builder of the house married Elizabeth, whose surname is not known. He resided upon the estate until his death, which occurred in 1657; the property descended to his son John, who increased his landownings by the purchase of the eastern or Anthrum lot from Edmund Batter.