Mumpton to speak on sanitary habits in the 1700s
— Photo by Jane McLean
Looking into the past: John Elberfeld arranges items in the Saddlemire Homestead related to “Coping with Life’s Necessaries,” the topic of an illustrated lecture to be given Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. in the Knox Town Hall.
To the Editor:
The Knox Historical Society will present “Coping with Life’s Necessaries: The Down and Dirty Story of Life Without Plumbing,” on Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at the Knox Town Hall at 2192 Berne-Altamont Road. The presentation is free; young and old are encouraged to attend, and refreshments will be served.
The Saddlemire Homestead Museum, located just in front of the town hall, will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. that Sunday.
Ian Mumpton, historical interpreter at the Schuyler Mansion Historic Site, will explore 18th-Century sanitary habits. He will describe how early Americans managed the foibles that attended daily life without indoor plumbing and other modern conveniences.
The “down and dirty” side of 18th-Century life gives insight into the domestic realities of meeting basic human needs, specifically personal hygiene. While technology has changed our experience of daily life, our basic needs and quest for relative comfort remains the same as 200 years ago.
Items from the Knox Historical Society collection relating to personal hygiene are on display at the Saddlemire Homestead Museum. Of special interest is the Wolford family’s adult commode, a Hitchcock type chair with stenciling on the headrest and box. Zenie Gladieux of Berne donated the chair to the Knox Historical Society.
For more information, visit www.KnoxHistoricalSociety.org or contact me at 872-2082.
John Elberfeld, treasurer
Knox Historical Society