I have observed, as a general rule, the tendency for American familes to produce at least one musically inclined talent per generation.
The Carters proved to be a noticeable exception to that rule.
Zachariah had little interest in music; in fact he was embarassingly tone-deaf.
Most of his descendants inherited his tin ear as well.
The family produced their share of artists, to be sure (particularly along
the "Phillips branch", which was always given to carry and pass on the artistic and creative genes of his mother Sarah, while Phillips' twin brother Howard engendered the resourceful, capitalistic qualities of his father), but no musicians.
Despite the fact that every Carter child was afforded vocal and piano lessons, none managed to aquire an enthusiasm for either discipline. That is not to say that the Mansion was without music, it's simply that music was more of a utility in the house, rather than a passion (the Mansion contained three Grand pianos at one point, yet their function was entirely aesthetic in the absence of formal guests).
However...
The acoustics in this room proved too good to pass up for Carters living in the phonograph era. In the twentieth century the plunky, tentative strains of Chopin and Mozart gave way to the recorded stylings of Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Elvis and Buddy Holly.
The piano here was a gift from Cole Porter. While visiting in 1921, he met and became infatuated with Mona Carter, then just twenty-one. It caused some scandal at the time, and Mona's father Gerald ultimately forbade her from seeing the talented pianist whom he regarded as a 'Bohemian social climber'. Heartbroken, Mona listed in this room for seven months before hanging herself with a length of piano wire.
Her father was devastated and ordered the music room closed until his death.
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