The dining room was added to the house by the Youngs in 1901. Its grand proportions were designed for the elegant entertainments that William and Martha Young envisioned in their home.

Dinner service at Locust Grove was a carefully orchestrated affair. Dinner was presented and served to diners by servants, called waiters and waitresses by the Youngs. This was considered a modern fashion that replaced the “old-fashioned” system of piling the table high with tureens, and serving platters so guests could help themselves.