President Zachary Taylor Desk
In 1936, the Society acquired this desk belonging to Zachary Taylor (1784-1850). Taylor served as commander of Fort Howard (1818-1819) and, when he was transfered to Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien, his belongings were sold to local residents.
Originally a sideboard, it was damaged in a fire. In 1886, Deborah Beaumont Martin purchased the piece. She had the undamaged wood converted into a desk. Miss Martin was a founding member of the Green Bay Historical Society, an ardent preservationist, and the youngest daughter of prominent Green Bay attorney and civic leader Morgan L. Martin.
It is on display at Historic Hazelwood House (Brown County Historical Society), Miss Martin’s lifelong home. Taylor later became the 12th President of the United States (1849-1850).