Destination 1940: Mrs. Fergusen's Laundry

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Mrs. Fergusen's Laundry

The Library of Congress holds an incredible collection of images taken by Farm Security Administration and Office of War Administration photographers during the 1930s and '40s. Here's a fun little series featuring a West Virginian housewife and her laundry. I'll split them up over a few posts during the next day or two. Enjoy!

Meet the Fergusens. Ann, Nancy, Mother - a.k.a. Mamie, Dad - a.k.a. Bob, and Jimmie. The Fergusens live in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Bob Fergusen is principal at the local junior high school.

This is the Fergusen house:

Mrs. Fergusen must have a lot of laundry with a family of five... Here she is in her basement operating the wringer so the wet clothes will be a little less wet. She may own a Thor washing machine, but check out all those washtubs. It looks like Mrs. Fergusen rinses her clothes by hand. And dries the family dainties indoors. No need to dry everything outside when the neighbors live so close by!

5 comments:

50sgal said...: Wow, I just realized, although I am a 1955 housewife with the luxery of a washer and dryer, I would have helped with this type of laundry. I mean I didn't just land in 1955 I had to go through the 1930s and 1940s. I wonder if I should do a week of 1940s style laundry, just so I have a point of historical reference to appreciate what I have now in 1955. It would make for an interesing project wihtin my project, what do you think. you have become my source for my youth (30s and 40s). Are you able to get these images online? Thanks.; January 8, 2009 at 8:37 AM
weenie_elise said...: can't let the unmentionables be out on display; January 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Jitterbug said...: 50s gal, I bet any young housewife with a brand new state-of-the-art washing machine would feel lucky as can be NOT to have one of the washers she watched her mother use in the '40s - and probably learned to do laundry with.

Here's the website for the FSA/OWI Collection:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fsowhome.html

W-E, Mrs. Fergusen doesn't have all that much in the way of unmentionables, does she? Maybe those are the silk and rayon articles she washed by hand...; January 8, 2009 at 7:43 PM
weenie_elise said...: not a very big line either...i'm guessing she isn't wearing a heap of nylons anyway...; January 8, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Jitterbug said...: You can see Mrs. Fergusen's bare legs in some of the photos taken at the clothesline! Yep, probably no nylons to wash these days... Maybe the stuff on the line is just one day's worth of handwashables.; January 9, 2009 at 6:26 AM

My 1940s Housekeeping and Beauty Routine: A Work in Progress

DAILY
Morning
Before getting out of bed, do this routine five times: stretch body out with arms out at sides. Lift both legs simultaneously as high as you can, even, if you can, over your head; then down again, slowly.

Open window in bedroom on arising, for free circulation of air.

Throw back bed covers, including top sheet.

Wear 2-lb. wrist weights during all morning and evening exercises.

Rise up on the balls of your feet, bring your arms up overhead, stretching, stretching, stretching everything from toes up, keeping chest high, abdomen in. (20 reps)

Stand with feet slightly apart, arms down at sides. Stretch arms in front up and over the head slowly as far as you can, without straining, then slowly return to original position. (5 reps)

(A) Stand with feet slightly apart, abdomen in, seat well down, fingers interlaced and raised high over head, arms making a frame for the face. Keep face framed by arms throughout exercise, and body absolutely steady from waist down. (B) Swing forward till body and arms are horizontal. Swing body round to right side and travel upwards till arms are over head once more. (C) Turn to the left and swing the body round and down till body and arms are once again horizontal, as in B. (5 reps)

Stand erect, feet fairly far apart; clasp your hands behind your neck. Force the head and elbows back, inhale through the nostrils, expel the air through the lips. Breathe in as the head goes back; exhale as you return to first position. (5 reps)

Stand tall, hands on hips. Lift on your toes, let the knees spread, lower your body until you are in a squatting position, buttocks resting on the heels. Rise slowly. (5 reps)

Stand tall, lift the hands high and far back. Swing the hips from one side to the other, stretching the arms full length, keeping fingers and thumbs spread. (5 reps)

[Lying on your back,] touch right foot to left hand, then left foot to right hand. (20 reps)

Lie on back, bicycle with legs in air. Repeat, lying on side. (20 reps)

Push-ups, using knees. (5 reps)

Hold on chair to balance yourself and swing leg back and forth. (20 reps)

Roll each ankle 20 times, making a big circle with your toes.

Drink one big glass of water.

Wash face gently but thoroughly with a clean washcloth, cleansing cream, and plenty of warm water. Splash on cold to tone the skin - and open the eyes!

Pat on a bit of powder to take away that soap-and-water shine.

Carry soiled clothing to the hamper. Hang up other clothing. Put away any personal possessions out of place in the bedroom.

Prepare and serve breakfast. Take a multivitamin with breakfast.

Early Forenoon
Clear away dishes and misplaced articles from dining room, after breakfast.

Operate ventilating range hood while scraping, rinsing, and stacking dishes in the dishwasher. Leave pots and pans to soak in sink.

Put away food.

Make bed.

Close bedroom window if air conditioning will be used during day.

Brush teeth carefully.

Put on some bright, pretty lipstick, making the edges neat and blotting away the excess.

Brush all the nighttime tangles from hair, and comb carefully into place, pinning securely.

Take a last look in the mirror, to be sure I'm impeccable from top to toe.

Noon
Dessert may be only a serving of fruit.

Afternoon
Snack throughout the day only on fruits or vegetables.

Drink 64 ounces of water.

Evening
Cut by 2/3 the portion size of the prepared, pre-packaged foods I typically eat at dinner and for lunch on the weekends. Fill the rest of my plate at these meals with a serving of vegetables and a serving of legumes. Take a multivitamin with dinner. Dessert may be only a serving of fruit.

Take your old friend the floor-touching one, but we prefer the floor-touching one in which you turn on the waist and attempt to touch the floor back of your heels. (20 reps)

Lie on your back on the floor with your arms stretched wide at shoulders. Keep head and shoulders on the floor while you raise your right foot over and cross the left, aiming to reach with a long stretch a meeting between your right-foot toes and your left-hand fingers. Then reverse, bringing your left foot and right hand into contact. (20 reps)

Stand erect, steady yourself by holding to the back of a chair, swing the leg in wide circles. Lift the foot as high as you can. (5 reps)

Simply hold a pie pan or other round, shallow pan in your right hand high above your head and look toward the ceiling as if you were watching for a high ball to come across an imaginary net. As the imaginary ball comes closer, jump a foot off the floor and hit it with the pan, driving it back across the imaginary net to an imaginary opponent. Drop arm to side, count to four slowly, then raise arm, jump and strike at the ball again. Repeat 10 times. Reverse, holding pan in left hand.

Lie across a single bed so that arms and legs are not supported by the bed. Keeping head up with neck straight, stretch arms forward with palms facing each other. Now fling arms wide apart, turning palms in the opposite direction. Do this slowly and deliberately. Repeat 20 times.

Get on your knees, keeping your back straight and arms stretched overhead. Bend your body sharply to the right side, and lower the hips as far as possible toward the floor. Then raise your body up straight, bend to the left side, and lower hips. Repeat 4 times; rest. 8 to 12 times altogether.

Stand with arms out to the sides, and kick your right leg across your body, trying to touch the left hand. Feel that stretch? Return leg to position, and kick the left leg. Do 12 times, alternating legs.

Now get down on the floor, flat on your back, with legs straight and arms out to the sides. Keep shoulders flat on the floor. Pull both knees up to your chest and roll them over to left side, then to right. Swing from side to side 6 times; rest. 12 to 18 times altogether.

Stand with feet apart, arms out at side, bend body, touching left arm to right foot, then right arm to left foot. (20 reps)

Put feet flat on floor, raising arms overhead. Bend forward, touching floor with palms of hands. Raise arms over head, bend body back from waist. Relax. (20 reps)

You’ll need a three-foot rope, but your lounging robe belt will do if you can make a secure loop at each end of it. Lie on your back and put a foot in each loop. Lift your right foot as far from the floor as the rope permits. Alternate lifting right and left. (5 reps)

Late Evening
Make sure there is room in dishwasher for tomorrow's breakfast dishes. Wash any pots or pans that have been soaking in sink.

Put living room in order.

Out of your clothes and into the tub - coat yourself thoroughly with a susdy lather, and don't spare the elbow grease. Rinse well, doing face separately with water from the faucet.

Rub myself dry, so that I tingle all over and chest and back turn a healthy pink.

Don't forget the deodorant under the arms.

Brush and floss teeth carefully.

Down with a nice, long glass of water - and so to bed.

MONDAY
Early Morning
Washing

Evening
Fold and put away wash. Prep ironing.

TUESDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Ironing. Put away ironing.

WEDNESDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Early Evening
Light marketing.

Evening
Put out fresh linen in the bathroom.

THURSDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Weekly cleaning of my bedroom:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air.

Remove all bed covers; stretch over end of bed, or over chairs, off the floor. Remove soiled bed linen; place near door to be taken out. Place mattress pad over chair near window to air.

Collect bric-a-brac that need polishing or washing.

Bring in cleaning equipment: carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, dust cloth. Bring in fresh bed linens.

Turn mattress top to bottom one week, and end to end the next week. Make bed.

Dust high objects if necessary (mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, etc.).

Dust radiators covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Polish or wash accessories and return to place with other objects removed during cleaning.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Bring back clean ash trays, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

FRIDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Weekly cleaning of my kitchen:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air, or open kitchen ventilator.

Rinse and stack dishes, pots and pans.

Check and reorganize foods; put away.

Collect all refuse and put in garbage can.

Wipe off top of refrigerator and all work surfaces in need of cleaning.

Brush crumbs from crumb tray of toaster. Clean outside with soap and water.

Wash dishes. Dry and put away, if not room to rinse with hot water and leave to dry.

Wipe off surface of range. Clean spilled food from drip pan or oven.

Dry damp work surfaces.

Dust radiator or register.

Take out garbage; put clean lining in garbage can.

Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan.

Clean sink. Rinse dishcloth or mop; hang outdoors if possible.

Collect soiled towels; wash. Hang fresh towels.

SATURDAY
Morning
Walk 65 minutes with 2-lb. wrist weights.

Afternoon
Weekly cleaning of my bathroom:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air.

Pick up and replace small articles belonging in bathroom.

Gather up to take out soiled linen (to hamper, if dry), and articles belonging in other rooms. Collect trash in waste basket. Roll up bath mat or rug.

Wipe mirror.

Wipe tile behind washbowl and tub.

Clean bathtub and metal fixtures (be sure to wipe shower fixtures and clean soap holder).

Clean toilet bowl with brush. Wipe outside of bowl and closet with cloth used for that purpose only.

Clean washbowl (be sure to wipe base as well as top; also clean soap holder).

Straighten towels and wash cloths. Put out fresh linen.

Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan. Floor should be washed.

Replace bath mat or rug. Close windows in cold or damp weather.

Evening
Bulk of weekly food marketing.

Wash and trim fresh vegetables and put them in the refrigerator ready for use.

SUNDAY
Morning
Walk 65 minutes with 2-lb. wrist weights.

Afternoon
Weekly cleaning of my living room:

Bring in cleaning equipment: hearthbroom (if not kept at fireplace), carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, cleaning basket.

In season, clean out fireplace, lay fire, sweep hearth.

Dust high objects if necessary: mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, secretary, highboys, etc.

Dust radiator covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes as they occur.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Return clean ash trays, accessories, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

Evening
Sort laundry for morning wash.

MONTHLY CHORES
Rotate between the rooms each week, giving each a thorough cleaning once a month.

Bedroom:

Collect lamp bases, bric-a-brac and dressing table fittings that need polishing or washing, and dresser scarves to be laundered.

Brush walls when necessary. Dust high mouldings, door frames, window shades and Venetian blinds when necessary. Brush draperies (or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner). Dust mirrors, pictures, lighting fixtures, lamps, woodwork; wash any of these articles if necessary.

Dust radiators (covers and coils) or registers; clean thoroughly when necessary. Brush baseboard or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner. Dust book shelves and books as necessary. Wash windows when necessary.

Remove cushions from upholstered furniture. Use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner on furniture (getting into all crevices) and cushions. Replace cushions.

Rub wood surfaces of furniture to polish; apply wax or polish when necessary. Polish metal hardware if necessary. Wash glass table tops.

Use vacuum cleaner for cleaning of rugs and carpets.

Polish or wash accessories and return to place with other objects removed during cleaning.

Kitchen:

Remove all foods from refrigerator. Wash interior of refrigerator. Return food to refrigerator.

Wash exterior of refrigerator.

Clean range thoroughly.

Clean, scald and sun vegetable bins, bread and cake boxes.

Clean out and wash 1 cupboard or several drawers in rotation.

Dust lighting fixtures. Dust window shades or Venetian blinds. Wash wall behind sink, stove and work surfaces, if washable. Wash work surfaces. Wash exterior of cabinet work and shelving to remove fingermarks.

Clean garbage container thoroughly.

Wash and rinse floor.

Clean metal fixtures, soap dish, sink strainer, and dish drainer. Wash, rinse and scald dishcloth or mop or send to laundry; hang outdoors if possible.

Bathroom:

Rug should be cleaned and bathmat changed.

Duck shower curtain should be hung out in the sun if weather permits. (Clean curtain should be put up when needed.)

Walls should be wiped down with clean cloth or wall brush.

Light fixtures, bulbs and globes should be dusted.

Medicine cabinet should be dusted and straightened.

Mirror should be dusted.

Windows should be dusted inside.

Use special cleanser on toilet bowl.

Clothes hamper should be emptied, dried and aired, scrubbed and sunned occasionally when weather permits.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Mrs. Fergusen's Laundry

5 comments:

And the Source of My Vintage Menus

Another Vintage Housekeeping Manual