1959 Tucson home photos: Margaret Sanger Slee's Tucson home
From the Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes series
The home of Margaret Sanger Slee, noted birth control pioneer, was featured in the Tucson Citizen in 1959. The first architect she approached, Frank Lloyd Wright, declined to design her home because of the small lot size. However, her second architect, Arthur Brown, designed a home she treasured.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
One wall of Mrs. Slee's bedroom is covered with book shelves. Why the gold stars on some of the books? They're the ones autographed by their author. Portrait of the late Mr. Slee hangs on adjoining wall. Rare French clock has both Whittington and Westminster chimes. Mrs. Slee's bed, one corner of which is visible in the left foreground, once belonged to a 16th century queen of Spain.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
Ancestor wall-hanging of a Manchu empress dominates one wall of the living room. The panel is Chinese, the statue Italian bronze, atop a Spanish table. Living room walls are the palest gray putty color, a perfect background for the many Oriental art treasures in the room.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
The six panel screen which divides the living room from the dining room was a gift to Margaret Sanger Slee from the people of Haiti. At right is a rare antique Chinese desk, inlaid with bits of light wood and mother-of-pearl. Barely visible at left is an oriental temple bell, a metal bowl which is rubbed inside with a kidd-covered stick to produce a beautiful high-tone ring.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
Not one but many small terraces and patios surround Mrs. Slee's home, allowing a different vista from each room. This is the view from her bedroom.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
Dining room is divided from book-lined entrance hall by a circular wall of translucent fiberglass. Margaret Sanger Slee's home is the perfect example of how the most modern things - fiberglass walls and stainless steel fireplaces - combine magnificently with truly fine things from all ages and all parts of the world.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
The outside of Margaret Sanger Slee's home.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
Stainless steel mantel is topped with a large mirror in which one sees an antique Oriental chest and a Chinese wall hanging. The fireplace beneath the mantel is triangular, and the hearth is stainless steel. Fresh flowers usually float on the surface of the small oval pool on the hearth.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
Circular metal staircase in this corner of the dining room leads to Mrs. Slee's studio. One of her paintings hangs on the wall over an antique English wine cooler. The cooler is topped by a rare Chinese bowl. Dining room opens onto rear patio through sliding doors just out of the picture at left.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
The dining room in Margaret Sanger Slee's home.
1959 Tucson home photos: An unusual house for an interesting person
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