Made in America, ca. 1890, this Empire style mahogany window bench features swept arms carved with a cornucopia of fruit. The skirt rail and bolsters are gadrooned (spiral carved), and the intricately detailed legs are outswept with carved paw feet.

The melodeon is an American invention from the first half of the 19th century. Although melodeons were very popular before and during the Civil War era, they are seldom seen today. Housed in a piano-like case, a melodeon is a small reed organ with a five or six octave keyboard. Back in its heyday, Americans preferred the melodeon over the piano for its durability, lower price, and the advantage of seldom needing maintenance and tuning.

Above the fireplace mantle in the Neill-Cochran House Museum Front Parlor is a portrait of Mary Cochran Bohls painted in 2009 by Kay Polk (1943-2017). Bohls is the granddaughter of Judge Thomas and Bessie Cochran, the original Cochran owners. She has remained closely connected to the NCHM over the years and has helped to make the Museum such a welcoming place.