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NIAGARA, Wis. -- In August, this column shared historical information about the American bedroom 100 years ago. I shared tidbits not only about bedroom furniture, but on how these bedrooms were used that commented on the different lifestyles a century ago. Well, I recently found an article about historical furniture. Certain pieces may live on in antique stores, a relative's attic, or even in your basement rec room, but these antiques are generally not widely used today.
When my husband and I were first married, we inherited many pieces of hand-me-down furniture. To give you an idea of how our first apartment was furnished, here is a review. Our kitchen table and four chairs (with silver legs and red plastic coverings), along with our bedroom dresser, came from my in-laws' attic. The blue sofa and very large chair came from my grandmother's parlor on the farm. Metal TV trays served as end tables, and the lamps sitting on them had come from that same attic that had housed the kitchen table and chairs. The bases had been an odd lavender color so we had repainted them green. My brother made us a coffee table in his high school industrial arts class that really looked nice. The little television that sat on that coffee table came from my husband's grandparents enclosed back porch. The first evening in that apartment, there was a knock on the door. It was my father-in-law with a case of beer to help us celebrate. As my husband and I settled back on my grandmother's sofa with beer in hand, he put his arm around me, looked around and said, "And just think, it's all ours!" I love that story because it underscores my husband's eternal positive outlook toward life in general that helped get us through every challenge.
Following is an historical review of furniture styles --
-- Waterbeds: Popular in the 1970s and '80s, waterbeds promised a futuristic sleep experience with their wavelike motion and adjustable temperature.
Once marketed as both modern and sexy, waterbeds quickly gained popularity, peaking in 1987 when they accounted for nearly 20% of all mattress sales in the country. One advertising slogan captured the era's enthusiasm: "Two things are better on a waterbed. One of them is sleep." Their charm faded quickly as customers discovered their shortcomings: heavy frames, tricky maintenance, awkward moves and a constant risk of leaks.
-- Secretary desks: Featuring a hinged, fold-down writing surface and a collection of drawers, cubbies, and sometimes even hidden compartments, this piece of furniture served as the ideal command center for managing household correspondence, finances and daily affairs in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As email and online banking became widespread, a dedicated writing nook was no longer needed. Today, the secretary desk is more likely to be repurposed as an accent piece. The one I acquired from my grandmother's parlor on the farm now sits in my dining room and serves as a liquor cabinet with glass shelves for a variety of glasses.
-- Telephone tables: Commonly known known as a "gossip bench," this was the most popular spot in the house in mid-20th-century America. This compact piece of furniture was designed to manage the family's single landline telephone. It was developed sometime after the invention of the telephone in 1876, and combined a small seat with a tabletop for notepads and pens. And it often included a built-in shelf or cubby for the bulky phone book. Eventually, as cordless phones freed us from the seat and mobile phones allowed phone calls to reach us anywhere, the telephone table became obsolete.
-- Vanities: For decades, the dressing table, also known as a vanity table, was a dedicated beauty retreat. With its attached mirror, small drawers and delicate design, the vanity offered women a personal space to style their hair, apply makeup, and prepare for the day or a glamorous night out.
During the art deco movement of the early 20th century and the early days of Hollywood, when beauty routines were marketed as both necessary and aspirational, vanity tables found a place in American homes. Hollywood helped cement the allure: the ordinary woman could be like the movie stars perched gracefully at their vanities, surrounded by perfume bottles and powder puffs.
The late 20th century ushered in modern bathrooms with bright lighting, large counters and built-in storage; consequently, the bedroom vanity was no longer needed and simply used space that could be used for something else.
-- TV cabinets: By the 1960s, most American households had a television, but these early sets were bulky, unattractive and often viewed as something that just didn't fit in a living room. So, manufacturers sold them surrounded by a wood cabinet to make them a better fit with living room furniture. TVs got bigger, and more and more gadgets piled on: VCRs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, stereo receivers, speaker systems. Consequently, the simple cabinet was no longer adequate. Enter the TV cabinet and, later, the full-blown entertainment center: huge structures designed not just to hold a TV, but to contain and conceal the entire home media system. These cabinets peaked in popularity in the 1980s and '90s, often spanning entire walls and weighing more than the electronics they held. But as televisions got sleeker and streaming services replaced stacks of movie boxes, the furniture built to hide it all was no longer needed.
-- Chaise lounges: Once the epitome of leisure and elegance, the chaise lounge -- from the French for "long chair" -- was once popular in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In 16th-century France, it became a fixture in aristocratic homes as a symbol of comfort and status. By the 19th century it had become popular in Victorian parlors as the fainting couch. In the first half of the 20th century, the chaise was popular in American homes; it offered a spot for reading or relaxing combining comfort and glamour.
But as rooms got smaller and furniture became more functional, the chaise lounge became harder to justify. It needed as much space as a recliner or armchair -- with less versatility. And unlike a sofa or sectional, it's typically built for one, making it less practical for families or shared lounging.
-- Smoking stands: These were once very popular pieces of furniture, especially when smoking was popular and accepted. They were compact, single-purpose pieces designed to hold everything a well-prepared smoker might need: an ashtray, matches, lighters and a supply of cigarettes or cigars. They were often designed and built with decorative flair and stood beside armchairs, inviting guests to light up whenever they liked. From the 1920s through the 1950s, they were as common as coffee tables and a sign of hospitality and masculine style.
As smoking became more routine and less ceremonial, these stands became functional without the distinctive design features. But as the dangers of tobacco use became widely recognized and indoor smoking fell out of favor, even those disappeared. Public bans, health awareness, and minimalist living left little space for dedicated smoking furniture.
As we saw in the design of bedrooms, furniture design also reflected the preferred lifestyles of the era. It will be interesting to see how homes and their furniture reflect the lifestyles of the future.
Source: Kristina Wright, for HistoryFacts -- subscribe at https://historyfacts.com/.
NURSING HOMES / SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES
Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community
Kingsford
906-774-1530
The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities. The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. we host a Memory Café - a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.
Sunday: Crafting with Seniors, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Movie, 10 a.m.; Skip Bo, 2 p.m.; bingo, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Nail day, 10 a.m.; memory cafe, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: What's the object?, 10 a.m.; coffee chat, 11:30 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.
Thursday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.
Friday: Karaoke, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; "The Wall" on the Game Show Network, 7 p.m.
Iron County Medical Care Facility
Crystal Falls
906-874-1501
Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; "You be the Judge," 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Pumpkin Partners decorating begins. Memory books, 9:45 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; "Name that Tune," 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; travel film/mystery ride, 1 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee social/Animal kingdom, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Dan's songs for seniors, 1 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.
Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.
Friday: Costumer preparation, 9:45 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; throw away bingo, 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.
Saturday: ICMCF word search/hangman, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; community celebration, 1-3 p.m.; Halloween movie, 6 p.m.
Optalis Healthcare
Kingsford
906-774-4805
Sunday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; manicures and a movie, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; word search, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music students, 2 p.m.; Jenga in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; word generation game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; game -- guess the '70s TV character, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; game - "Human claw machine," 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Lutheran church, 2 p.m.; cards in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; "Dr. Pol" show, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Halloween craft, 2 p.m.
Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; spot the differences, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 1:30 p.m.
Maryhill Manor Nursing Home
Niagara, Wis.
715-251-3172
Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.
Sunday: Witch's brew and October conversation pieces, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 10:15 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.; church service, 2:45 p.m.; Packers vs. Cowboys, 7:20 p.m.
Monday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; fly swatter balloon, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; cider making social, 10 a.m.; Bible stories with Pastor Ed, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; spooky tall tale adventures, 10 a.m.; making caramel apples, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Friday: The Breakfast Club, 7 a.m.; treat bags, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Uno 10 a.m.; candy bar bingo, 2 pm.
Northshore Healthcare
Florence, Wis.
715-528-4833
No information was available
Victorian Pines
Iron Mountain
774-5158
Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.
Pinecrest Medical Care Facility
Powers
906-497-5244
Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; tech time; coloring pages; daily chronicles.
Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour / who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; autumn leaf scavenger hunt, 11 a.m.; Bible stories, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; kings in corners, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo / fact of the day, 10:30 a.m.; Kerplunk, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; yarn club, 11 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; noodle ball, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; activity packets; daily chronicles.
SENIOR CENTERS
Amasa Center
906-822-7284
Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, wheat bread.
Wednesday: Chicken stir fry on rice, salad, breadstick.
Thursday: Chili, grilled cheese sandwich, cole slaw.
Breen Center
Kingsford
906-774-5110
Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week --
Monday: Baked fish, au gratin potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, apple crisp.
Tuesday: Swedish meatballs over noodles, mixed vegetables, biscuit.
Wednesday: Stuffed peppers, breadstick, pudding.
Thursday: Evening Meal -- salad bar at 3:30 p.m. and meal at 4 p.m. Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, biscuit, brownie ala mode.
Crystal Falls Center
906-875-6709
The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout -- call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea, or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. - call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week --
Monday: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Tuesday: Chicken bacon ranch wrap, french fries.
Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency
DICSA
Iron Mountain
906-774-2256, ext. 244.
This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only -- call to make arrangements. Menu for the week --
Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, green beans, garlic bread.
Tuesday: Sheet pan chicken and vegetables, cauliflower with cheese, dinner roll.
Wednesday: Meatloaf, baked potato, candied carrots, dinner roll, pudding.
Thursday: Chicken cordon bleu, buttered noodles, Capri vegetables.
Friday: Deluxe salad, string cheese, dinner roll, yogurt parfait.
Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice or no beverage.
For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256 ext. 244.
Crystal Lake Center
Iron Mountain
906-828-1776
Schedule for the week is --
Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.
Tuesday: Cards -- Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents, with 10 games played.
Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.
Friday: Cards -- Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.
Felch Center
906-246-3559
Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559
Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899
Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.
Menu for the week -
Monday: Turkey and gravy over mashed potatoes, stuffing.
Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, tater tots.
Wednesday: Evening Meal -- Lasagna, garlic bread. Secretary of State Mobile Office and a flu shot clinic will be on site.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Florence County, Wis.
715-528-4890
Menu for the week --
Monday: Cook's Choice.
Tuesday: Pasties, cole slaw, fruit.
Wednesday: Cranberry chicken, baked sweet potato, broccoli, fruit, chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.
Thursday: Barbecue chicken pizza, potato salad, three bean salad, cornbread, fruit.
Friday: Glazed pork chops, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, fruit.
All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.
Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center
Serving on site Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Florence Community Center
Serving on site Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.
Fence Town Hall
Serving on Wednesday only at noon. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Tipler Town Hall
Serving at noon on the second Thursday of the month only. RSVP by calling 715-674-2320.
Hermansville Center
Coordinator: Barb Peters
906-498-7735
Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.
Monday: Hobo dinner, sliced carrots, sliced potatoes, chef's choice of vegetables, warm vanilla-based pears, whole wheat bread.
Tuesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, winter vegetable blend, corn, fruit cocktail.
Wednesday: Roast pork with gravy, loaded mashed potatoes, Key West vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, pineapple tidbits, carrot cake.
Thursday: Chicken stew, whole wheat breadstick, creamy cole slaw, Mandarin beet salad, fruited Jell-O.
Milk is available at all meals.
Iron River Center
906-265-6134
Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday -- salad bar at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon. Thursday meal is at 5 p.m., with salad bar at 4:30 p.m. Meals include salad, juice or milk and dessert.
Tuesday: No information was provided.
Wednesday: No information was provided.
Thursday: No information was provided.
Niagara Senior Center/Café
715-251-1603
Dinner is served at noon Tuesday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $6 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Transportation to the meal site is available.
Bingo played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Beef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes, pears, wheat bread, black bean brownies.
Wednesday: Lasagna, corn, garlic bread, fresh orange.
Thursday: Italian sausage with peppers and onions, potato rounds, spinach salad with tomatoes, wheat roll.
Norway Center
Director: Alicia Rochon
906-563-8716
Dine-in eating beginning at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. -- those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal. Menu for the week -
Monday: Lasagna, garlic bread, cauliflower.
Tuesday: Bratwurst with sauerkraut, oven-roasted potatoes, corn.
Wednesday: Dinner at 4 p.m. -- Barbecue ribs, baked potatoes, carrots.
Thursday: Liver or burger, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and carrots.
Center activity schedule:
Mondays and Thursdays -- Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.
Monday through Thursday -- Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. -- call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.
Tuesdays -- Quilting and sewing.
Wednesdays -- Ceramics and crocheting.
Last Monday of each month -- Book club at 9 a.m.
Sagola Center
906-542-3273
Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are also available. Dine-in meal is $6 and takeout meal is $7. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal at the center -- all are welcome, at any age. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Chicken and spaghetti. Chair yoga after the meal.
Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, chips, vegetable, dessert. Bingo after the meal. Secretary of State mobile office will be on site from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.