Soapstone, Wash-Tubs and Sinks
AMONG the mineral productions the usefulness of which has for centuries remained unknown, and only recently has become to be appreciated, is undoubtedly soapstone, by mineralogists called steatite, and by chemists hydrated silicate of magnesia. The pure material is white, translucent, and looks like soap, while all the varieties haveContinue Reading
The Making of Beeswax Candles
What a variety of candles can be found today! The types of waxes have extended beyond the tallow and beeswax of our early ancestors to include paraffin, soy, and gel. There is even another type of wax which was discovered by the American colonists and still in use today. ItContinue Reading
19th Century Diaries
Many of our 19th century ancestors kept diaries, scrapbooks or even autograph books. The reasons varied from person to person, but one article on the subject noted that it would be a wise idea to keep a diary of the events that played out. This was true even in theContinue Reading
Sweet Dreams – A Look at the Bed and Bedroom of the 1850’s
This being a cold and snowy afternoon has me drowsy and looking over at my feather pillows and covers wishing to slip off into slumber. So with that said and the fact that we have had some recent articles on bedroom cottage furniture, we are going to go over someContinue Reading
Wintertime Maladies
Winter has brought the nuisance of dried & chapped skin for centuries! Here are 2 historic recipes for balms one might have used over 200 years ago! Continue Reading
If Walls Could Say, “I’m Clean!”
What do beer, beeswax and bread have in common? Why cleaning walls of course! Learn a few different methods that were used for cleaning walls, wainscoting & wallpaper in the early 19th century! Continue Reading