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TitleBedroom with view of wardrobe period room from the home of Pietro and Maria Botto

Date Created2006

DescriptionClothing hangs in the wardrobe. Trunks contained mourning scarves and other handwork often done by young women in preparation for their marriages. Next to the wardrobe hangs the elaborately framed...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleKitchen period room view of stove and sink from the home of Pietro and Maria Botto

Date Created2006

DescriptionThe kitchen was a major center of activity in the household. The large coal and gas range dominates the room. It was used as a heating source as well as for cooking foods. A worktable provided...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitlePeriod garden view of the root cellar from the home of Pietro and Maria Botto

Date Created2006

DescriptionThe Bottos were able to create a very self-sufficient lifestyle on the small piece of ground that they owned. A hen house was built to protect 15-20 chickens that supplied the family with eggs. A...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleKitchen period room view of stove and cabinet from the home of Pietro and Maria Botto

Date Created2006

DescriptionEven with the convenience of indoor plumbing and the gas range, the kitchen was the scene of virtual non-stop labor for Maria Botto and her daughters. In addition to meals prepared for the family,...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleChild's chamber pot

Date Created1908

DescriptionThe Botto's home was equipped with running water and water closets (small rooms with toilets) when it was built in 1908. Young children in working families were potty-trained on small enameled...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleMan's shaving brush

Date Created1908

DescriptionPietro Botto shaved his beard with a straight razor, a strip of steel sharpened to a fine cutting edge on one side. First he applied shaving cream from a shaving cream mug with a small brush. Then,...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleKitchen period room with view of dining room from the home of Pietro and Maria Botto

Date Created2006

DescriptionSome of the artifacts placed around the kitchen are the copper pot used to cook polenta, meat grinder, fish scaler, coffee grinder, rug beater, mousetrap, and wall calendars, which were used by...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleFlatiron

Date Created1900

DescriptionMaria Botto used heavy flatirons to iron clothes on the kitchen table. The irons were heated on her stove and alternated as they cooled. On Mondays, after the laundry had dried on the clothesline,...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitlePackage of dried Rosemary from the garden of the Botto House

Date Created1908

DescriptionThe Bottos grew rosemary, sage and mint in their garden. Herbs were used for personal hygiene and health purposes as well as for cooking. For example, Piedmontese immigrants used rosemary as a...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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TitleEpsom Salt, English Mustard, and Pastigle Leone Dissetanti tins

Date Created1908

DescriptionCompanies began producing medicinal remedies for minor health problems. Epsom salt, according to the label, could serve as a laxative. English mustard mixed with water made a good poultice. ...

Time PeriodThe Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)