Photograph courtesy of Tom Soukup
Bed,Bath and Beyond
Pioneer life in the 1880s was no piece of cake. A pioneer bed was considerably different than a modern bed. Instead of a box spring and mattress, the bed had rope laced through the frame with wool, cotton or even straw batting on top. The rope bed was like sleeping in a hammock with one’s body being rolled to the center. And the fiber or straw was often quite a cozy home for insects. To light the oil lamps, matches were kept handy in a ‘bed pocket’ on the frame. The lamp was often placed on a shelf by the doorway, leaving soot along the wall and ceiling. Due to the time and effort to heat water, baths were taken only a few times a year. A washstand in the bedroom with a water pitcher, wash bowl and mirror was used to wash in the mornings. Although hairbrushes, combs and razors were everyday items, toothbrushes were still a rarity. A typical home was only 400 square feet in size, but it was a full time effort to keep it tidy.
Volunteer Katie Alexander submitted this information. Visit the Saratoga Historical Foundation at www.saratogahistory.com.
