
By John Lucas
The centerpiece of Helen’s Music Room is the 1872 Steinway piano. Guests frequently recognize that the piano shape is nearly “square” and that the keyboard is shorter than modern pianos. In the 19th century, the square piano was the entertainment heart of many affluent homes. Families and friends would surround the piano spending their evenings singing or listening to compositions. Piano lessons for children was often part of their upbringing with the expectation of family performance.
The piano’s small size, construction, and shape did not allow a large sound but was suitable for family gatherings. In the late 19th century, composers wanted more composition versatility, and the keyboard was expanded from the standard 84 up to 88 black and white keys. The keyboard expansion required a piano that was no longer box-shaped but was like a prone harp. The grand piano has a larger soundboard to accommodate more and longer steel piano wire with pedals to dampen or free the sound. These changes provided a louder and richer sound that can fill an auditorium.
When Steinway encouraged trading in the squares for a new grand piano, the square was condemned to history. After upgrading, Steinway had too many squares and publicly burned them in 1904 at Atlantic City; a blaze that could be seen in Manhattan.
Thanks to Helen, Bonnet House is fortunate to have a square piano that is still playable though admittedly it needs tuning.
Helen Birch Bartlett (1883-1925)
Helen was Frederic’s second wife. She was a published poet and composer. A friend of Frederic and Dora Bartlett, she consoled Frederic when Dora unexpectedly died in 1917. Two years later, at the age of 37, Helen married Frederic. As a wedding present, Helen’s father gave her 35 oceanside acres that became the Bonnet House. In 1925 Helen died of bilateral breast cancer.