One of the most commented on displays at the Sikes Historic Farmhouse must be the laundry equipment on display on the enclosed eastside porch. Several metal tubs, scrub board, plunger, agitator, and a wooden drying rack give visitors an idea of the difficult and tedious chore of keeping clothes and household cloth items clean and fresh in the 19th century. But there is one more very interesting laundry day fixture on display which is often overlooked.
Although no definitive evidence of the household routine of Mrs. Sikes has been discovered to date, based on archaeological studies done on this side of the structure in the early 2000’s, it is believed this was the area used for wash day chores.
After soaking, scrubbing, soaping, rinsing, and air drying, the final step of the laundry chore was the ironing of the fabric.
Ironing in the 19th Century
Flat irons, also referred to as sad or smoothing irons, typically were made of iron by local blacksmiths and were very heavy, averaging 5 or 10 pounds. To be efficient, at least 2 irons were needed: one in use and one re-heating. Metal handles had to be gripped in a pad or thick rag as the handle was just as hot as the flat bottom.
Irons needed to be kept clean to avoid soiling the freshly laundered fabrics which was difficult in a dusty, dirty kitchen. Needless to say, ironing was an extremely difficult, hot, dangerous and time-consuming chore which typically required an entire day to complete.
However, the process became a bit easier due to a clever invention of Mrs. Mary Florence Potts. Her invention, the cold-handle sad iron, consisted of a detachable wooden handle and 3 iron bases of different sizes that could be connected to that handle. The advantage of Mrs. Potts universal handle standard system was that a used cooled iron base could be switched out with a pre-heated base and the handle remained cool to the touch. Ironing could resume immediately.
With different sized iron bases, pressing small intricate embellishments and seams became much more efficient.
Mrs. Potts patented her interchangeable wooden handle invention in 1871 and by the end of the 19th century the interchangeable wooden handle ironing system was widely available through both the Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards mail order catalog.
There are several 19th century irons on display at the Sikes farmhouse, including one with the interchangeable wooden handle. Please be sure to ask your knowledgeable docent to point them out to you during your next visit to the historic home.
Written by: Anita Hissem, Friends of Sikes Adobe Member
