Over the summer, the Friends of Sikes Adobe have been busy replacing some worn and tattered items at Sikes Historic Farmstead. Upkeep is an ongoing project in the San Dieguito River Park’s historic house museum with its vintage furnishings. The Friends are happy to share some updates on the progress.
Sisal Rugs
The sisal rug has been replaced in the parlor and several dining room chairs have been repaired and their wicker seats redone in the traditional manner.
Sisal rugs are made from the fibers of the Agave sisalana plant, which is native to the tropical regions of Mexico. Such rugs were relatively common in the late 19th century, especially in high traffic areas of a home which often attracted lots of grime and dirt. Sisal rugs were considered more hygienic than thick woolen rugs and much easier to keep clean.
While it is unknown exactly what type of carpeting or rugs, if any, Eliza and Zenas laid over the wooden floors in their parlor, a sisal rug would have made a lot of sense. Our new rug replaces one that was badly damaged and showing its age. The old rug had been on the parlor floor since it was purchased with funds from a San Diego County community grant as part of the reconstruction of the farmhouse in 2009. The original wood frame section of the farmhouse was destroyed in the October 2007 Witch Creek fire.
Cane Wicker
The farmhouse has many examples of Victorian era seating using cane wicker. The term “wicker” refers to a weaving technique using various grasses, vines, small twigs and/or narrow flexible wooden strips. The use of wicker dates back as far as ancient Egypt, circa 3000 B.C. During the 19th century, wicker furniture became very popular as it was seen as more sanitary than heavy upholstered furniture.
By the middle of the century, Victorian furniture makers began creating beautiful wicker furniture that instantly became mainstream fashion. There is no evidence found to date to indicate whether Eliza had wicker pieces in the home or not. Probate records have receipts for velvet upholstered sets and marble top tables purchased in 1881-1882. The collection of wicker pieces at the farmhouse includes over a dozen dining room type chairs in the style of Eastlake furniture with the traditional octagon wicker pattern on the seats. There is also a rocker covered in heavy wicker in the collection.
Two damaged dining room chairs were beautifully restored, and the wicker replaced by F. Garcia Upholstery in Rancho Bernardo.
Be sure to admire the updated objects during your next visit to the historic Sikes Adobe Farmhouse. Your friendly and knowledgeable docent will be happy to point them out. Docents are members of the Friends of Sikes Adobe and the generous donations given by visitors help us with our mission.
Written by: Anita Hissem, Friends of Sikes Adobe Member
The Friends of Sikes Adobe is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established for the general purpose of interpreting for public education the history of the Sikes Family, their farmstead, and the cultural history of north San Diego County in the late 1800’s.
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