There are a lot of differences between homes today and those of the 1800s. Back then there were no microwaves, air fryers, dishwashers, computers, TVs, telephones, cable, cell phones, internet, video games, refrigerators, running water, electricity, automobiles, in other words, people sat around on the floor all day and looked at the walls. Well, not really.

People in the 1800s went about their day working and relaxing at home. Most homes were very comfortable. There was no central heating so fireplaces and woodburning stoves were used for heat. And there was no air conditioning. So, you had better have a few hand-held fans to stay cool. And on hot days when the windows were open, the house would be full of flies and other tiny critters as there were no screens.

Maids had it bad. At the time, many families were still using chamber pots as night-time toilets. They were stored under the beds. So, in the morning, the maids first job was to empty all the chamber pots and wash them. They could dump each into a bucket, then carry it downstairs and out back to dump in the outhouse. Oh, what fun!

This blog features photos all taken before 1900. At the time, it was seldom that photos were taken indoors. But we have them here. And some even have the people who lived there and a few even has the maids. Enjoy ~