HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN THE 1850s

Furniture in the 1850's was dominated by England's Victorian period. Americans wanted English furniture and French clothing. Americans had not yet developed their own "American" style. Below are ads with illustrations of furniture and household goods. The sewing machine made its appearance during the 1850's. The sewing machine made it possible for people to produce their own clothing at a faster rate.

FURNITURE:

FURNITURE AD,1859.

DESK AD, 1854.

PIANO AD, 1852.

MATTRESSES AD, 1853. PULPIT AND TABLE AD, 1853.

WALLPAPER AD, 1854.

KITCHEN GOODS:

STOVE AD 1850.

REFRIGERATOR AD, 1853.

above. SEWING MACHINE AD, 1859. COURTESY OF HARPER'S WEEKLY	above. COFFEE POT AD, 1858. COURTESY OF HARPER'S WEEKLY	above. "KITCHEN SETTEE TABLE," in Gervase Wheeler, Rural Homes (New York, 1851). The top, when down, serves as an ironing board. When the table is folded up, the base is used as a seat. The seat is the top of a storage chest in which clothes and blankets can be stored. COURTESY OF WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM
above. FLY CATCHER AD, 1859. COURTESY OF HARPER'S WEEKLY

SOAP & CANDLES AD,1851.

THREAD AD, 1851.

BOX AD, 1856.

GROCERIES:

GROCERY STORE AD, 1854.

GROCERY STORE AD, 1853.

FISHER'S IMPROVED HOUSE-KEEPER'S ALMANAC AND FAMILY RECEIPT BOOK, 1858. COURTESY OF WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

PORK AD, 1856.

THE CITY MILK BUSINESS, 1859.

RESOURCES UTILIZED:

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1850.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1851.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1852.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1853.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1854.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1856.

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1859.

NYLANDER, JANE C. OUR OWN SNUG FIRESIDE. NEW HAVEN: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1994.