Artifacts from 19th Century America examines a broad array of objects representing various aspects of 19th century American society. The objects have been chosen to illuminate daily life in a number of categories including cooking, entertainment, grooming, clothing and accessories, health, household items, religious life, work, and education.
The book's 53 entries include a brief introduction to the background of the object, when and why it was made, and who used it, followed by a detailed description of the object itself. Finally, each entry provides a deep dive into the object's significance and how the object reveals clues about the social, political, economic, and intellectual life of the society in which it was produced and utilized. Students and general readers alike will not only learn about the time period but also learn to use the skills of material culture theory and method, including how to draw meaningful conclusions from each object about their historical context and significance.
Author(s): Elizabeth B. Greene
Series: Daily Life through Artifacts
Publisher: Greenwood
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 423
City: Santa Barbara
Cover
Half Title
Series
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Introduction
How to Evaluate Artifacts
Chronology of Events
Communications
1 Cartoon on Yellow Journalism
2 Telegraph Key
3 Telephone
4 Valentine’s Day Card
Cooking and Food
5 Butter Churn
6 Cookstove Advertisement
7 Oyster Plate
Entertainment
8 Baseball Card
9 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Poster
10 Godey’s Magazine
11 Piano
12 Souvenir from the Centennial Exhibition
Grooming, Clothing, and Accessories
13 Portable Bathtub
14 Corset
15 Mourning Jewelry
16 Native American War Shirt
17 Shaving Mug
18 Beaver Fur Top Hat
Health and Medicines
19 Civil War Surgical Instruments and Case
20 Nightmare Turtle Magic Lantern Slide
21 Patent Medicine—Cocaine Toothache Drops
22 Phrenology Head
Household Items
23 Electric Light Bulb
24 Reclining Chair Patent Model
25 Sampler
26 Sewing Machine
27 Sideboard
Political and Civic Life
28 Civil War Draft Wheel
29 Confederate Battle Flag
30 Frederick Douglass Frontispiece
31 Political Equality Spoon
Religious Life
32 The Fall of Man Title Page
33 Birth and Baptismal Certificate
34 Christmas Tree Ornament
35 Shaker Chair
Slavery and Servitude
36 Cotton Gin
37 Indenture Document
38 Slave Ankle Shackles
39 Uncle Tom’s Cabin Title Page
Tools and Weapons
40 California Gold Rush Balancing Scale
41 Gatling Rapid Fire Gun
42 John Wilkes Booth’s Deringer
43 Typewriter
44 Whiteley Harvester Patent Model
Transportation and Travel
45 Bicycle Pin
46 Covered Wagon
47 Steamboat Sketch
48 Transcontinental Railroad Gold Spike
Work and Education
49 Lowell Offering Title Page
50 Indian Boarding School Drawing of George Washington
51 Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth
52 Student’s Writing Slate
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index
