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NIAGARA, Wis. -- I am a huge fan of HGTV, so when I stumbled across an article on the internet, written by Kristina Wright for History Facts at https://historyfacts.com, that discussed how bedrooms were designed in the mid-1920s, my curiosity was piqued.
By that time, Americans were placing greater importance on privacy, and the bedroom soon became the most private of locations within the home. It was also the room where personal style and some daily routines were formed. The bedroom became much more than a room in which to sleep.
This article also brought back some memories from my childhood. My siblings and I grew up sharing bedrooms when we were young. I shared a room with my younger sister, and my two brothers shared a room; theirs housed the toy box, so my sister and I were frequent visitors.
My mother, of course, always had her own bedroom, and it held a certain air of mystery as well as a feeling of being off limits. I distinctly recall snooping in her closet and looking through her dresser drawers when I was in grade school. I marveled at the smell of her Chanel No. 5 and at the high heels that lined one side of her closet.
At the time, I was really into playing dress-up, and that closet represented a treasure trove of new possibilities. One afternoon, I "raided" that closet when my mother was at work. I picked out a dress to wear and high heels to match. Then I paraded around outside showing off my "fine attire" and thinking I was quite glamorous. After all, cars honked their horns at me as they drove past our house!
I put everything back before my mother returned home from work, but she knew her space had been invaded while she was gone. And she knew that I was the culprit. My sister always played whatever game my brothers were playing and was not at all interested in dressing up if there was tree climbing going on in the yard. I felt really awful seeing my mom so upset. I had scuffed up a brand-new pair of high heels before she'd even had a chance to wear them herself. Needless to say, I never poked around in her room again.
Many of the bedrooms in the houses we lived in shared the characteristics described below --
-- Open windows: A century ago, fresh air was widely believed to be essential for good health, and families were encouraged to keep bedrooms well-ventilated by keeping windows open. Part of this belief stemmed from concerns about tuberculosis. A stuffy bedroom was deemed unhealthy, so open windows became the nightly norm -- even in winter months. The windows could have remained closed when it was cold outside, since central heating back then left a lot to be desired, and homes were naturally very chilly. Many homes relied on coal furnaces, wood stoves, or radiator systems that did not always keep bedrooms warm through the night. Consequently, they were often the coolest rooms in the house -- especially during winter months. Heavy quilts, wool blankets, and thick comforters were used rather than forfeiting the fresh air by closing the windows.
-- Tiny closets: A common feature in the modern home is the walk-in closet. Everyone featured on HGTV home remodeling shows requires one. The homes of one hundred years ago had little use for this much additional space in which to store clothing. Americans generally owned fewer clothes than they do today, and garments were expected to be worn for years, repaired, when necessary, stored between seasons, and saved to be passed down to younger siblings or other family members. In many bedrooms, a few hooks on the wall sufficed as enough storage space. Consequently, without much built-in storage, more of the bedroom's floor space was devoted to freestanding furniture such as large chests of drawers along with wardrobes and armoires. Additionally, trunks and cedar chests held seasonal items, extra blankets, and clothing for special occasions.5
-- Separate beds: Separate beds for married couples reached the height of its popularity during the 1920s and 1930s. It was believed that sleeping in separate beds was cleaner, healthier, and more practical than sharing a mattress. Sleeping separately was also believed to improve sleep, reduce disturbances from a restless partner, and even limit the spread of colds and other illnesses within the household. Not every family embraced the idea, and many working-class couples continued sharing a bed simply because buying two was impractical or unnecessary. But among middle-class Americans, twin beds defined the look of many bedrooms for decades. The arrangement remained widely accepted through the 1940s and 1950s; I remember the twin beds on the "I Love Lucy" television show. Larger shared beds gradually grew in popularity and eventually became the norm in American homes once again.
-- Matching furniture: Bedrooms with matching furniture, called suites, became popular in the 1920s. Many families aspired to own a coordinated bedroom suite of several matching pieces, including a bed, dresser, and chest of drawers. Furniture manufacturers had been heavily promoting these matching sets since the 1880s, and by the mid-1920s furniture companies were offering dozens of different bedroom suite designs. These suites were not affordable in rural areas or for working class families, but the trend was widespread enough to shape bedroom design across the country.
Additionally, dark, heavily carved pieces fell out of favor, and for a while, blond bedroom sets were all the rage. Both my mother and my husband's parents had blond bedroom furniture. When we could afford an actual bedroom set, we preferred the very dark wood.
-- Vanities: The use of vanity tables in bedrooms dated back centuries -- particularly in wealthier homes. By the 1920s, however, the bedroom vanity had also become a feature in many middle-class American homes. Furniture manufacturers had begun producing them more widely and including them in coordinated bedroom suites. Think "small desk with attached chair or matching stool." The vanity included everything a woman needed to look well groomed and presentable in a society where they were expected to maintain a polished appearance. The vanity became a common feature in many urban and middle-class bedrooms, and its popularity only began to decline in the mid-20th century as built-in bathroom storage became more common.
On a side note, whoever coined the name for this piece of furniture was indeed very clever.
I hope you found this bit of history as interesting as I did. If nothing else, it demonstrates that everything has a history -- even bedroom furniture and the way we sleep.
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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. has a Memory Cafe -- a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.
Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.
Monday: "Price Is Right" on CBS, 10 a.m.; room visits/apples, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Pool noodle fun, 10 a.m.; coffee visit, 11:30 a.m.; write a letter, 2 p.m.
Thursday: Resident council meeting, 10:30 a.m.; art, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Karaoke, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Saturday: 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
No information was available.
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.; dice games, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; cards in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
No additional information was available.
Maryhill Manor Nursing Home
Niagara, Wis.
715-251-3172
Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.
Sunday: Coffee and resident choice game, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:45 p.m.
Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; movement in the courtyard, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; coffee and corny jokes, 10 a.m.; courtyard campfire, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; picnic by the river, 11 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Friday: Pizza making, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard social, 2 p.m.
Northshore Healthcare
Florence, Wis.
715-528-4833
No information was available.
Victorian Pines
Iron Mountain
906-774-5158
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.; patio social, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.
Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; "You be the Judge," 11 a.m.; Manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.
No additional information was available.
SENIOR CENTERS
Amasa Center
906-822-7284
Menu for the week -
Tuesday: Chili, cornbread, cucumber salad.
Wednesday: French toast bake, sausage, scrambled eggs.
Thursday: Chicken stir-fry over rice, salad, bread.
Breen Center
Kingsford
906-774-5110
Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week --
Monday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, dinner roll.
Tuesday: Baked chicken, rice pilaf, candied carrots, fruit crisp.
Wednesday: Celebrate birthdays -- Spaghetti and meatballs, green beans, garlic bread.
Thursday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, dinner roll.
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: Chop suey over rice.
Tuesday: Cook's choice.
Wednesday: Chicken fettuccine.
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: Chicken fettuccine, breadsticks, five-way vegetable.
Tuesday: Chicken with crackers and sour cream, cornbread, fresh fruit.
Wednesday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, macaroni and cheese, corn.
Thursday: Honey garlic chicken, Italian vegetables, dinner roll.
Friday: Omelet, cheesy potatoes, fresh fruit
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 --
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: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Tuesday: Cheesy cod, parsley buttered potatoes, cheddar garlic biscuits.
Wednesday: Chef salad, soup, bread.
Aging and Disability Resource Center Florence County, Wis.
715-528-4890
Menu for the week --
Monday: Chicken Po Boy (chicken strips, lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickle chips, Caesar dressing), black beans and corn salad, fruit.
Tuesday: Chicken noodle casserole, dark green salad, cornbread, fruit.
Wednesday: Pulled pork on a bun, oven fries, baked beans, cole slaw, fruit pie with ice cream.
Thursday: Chicken gyro salad (lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, tzatziki), breadstick, fruit.
Friday: Fish sandwich, oven fries, pea and cheese salad, fruit.
All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.
Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center
Serving on site Mondays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call 715-589-4491. Homebound meals will be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Florence Community Center
Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.
Fence Town Hall
Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.
Tipler Town Hall
Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261
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: Breaded chicken breast, biscuit, oven potatoes, green beans, pineapple/orange mix.
Tuesday: Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread
Wednesday: French onion pork chop, boiled red potatoes, peas and onions, apple slices, whole wheat bread.
Thursday: Cheeseburger, whole wheat hamburger bun, oven potatoes, baked beans, fruit cup.
Milk available at all meals.
Iron River Center
906-265-6134
Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Thursday meal at 5 p.m., salad bar at 4:30 p.m. Meals include salad, juice or milk, and dessert.
Tuesday: Tuna casserole with noodles, dinner roll.
Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetable, garlic bread.
Thursday: Lemon pepper chicken, baked potato, vegetable, dinner roll.
Site council meeting at 11 a.m. Friday.
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 on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, noodles, green beans, side salad, hot spiced peaches.
Wednesday: Chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, chips, banana.
Thursday: Swiss steak, roasted potatoes, corn, wheat bread, black bean brownies.
Norway Center
Director: Alicia Rochon
906-563-8716
Dine-in eating begins 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 picking up the meal. Menu for the week --
Monday: Chicken bacon fettuccine alfredo, garlic bread, mixed vegetables.
Tuesday: Chicken cordon bleu, rice, broccoli.
Wednesday: Wet burrito, refried beans, Spanish rice.
Thursday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.
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.
Second Thursday of each month -- birthdays and bingo.
Sagola Center
906-542-3273
Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served 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 with us -- all are welcome, at any age. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Cabbage rolls.
Wednesday: Sloppy Joes with tater tots.
Thursday: Pizza buffet.