"The American Woman's Home"

Joined
Nov 26, 2016
Location
central NC
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"The American Woman's Home" is the most complete record of historic (mid-1800s) American domestic life I've discovered. It offers a unique look at women's lives during the 19th century. Published in 1869 by none other than the Beecher sisters, Harriet and Catharine, it discusses built-in cupboards and shelves and continuous work surfaces - things we take for granted today.

Perhaps what makes this book most interesting is that its intended audience is servantless homes. There are a few recipes included, but they are mainly medicinal. The primary focus of the book is to provide information on "healthful food and drink, care of the sick, and care of the home." One section teaches the homemaker how to cope with such modern inventions as stoves and refrigerators.

There is a mention in a biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the co-author, that Harriet actually wrote this book alone, but because she was so young at the time it was published by her sister. This seems unlikely to me since Catharine was a prominent educator and author who advocated for the education of women and for the elevation of their role within the home. Catharine wrote numerous works on household management, founded five schools, and formed The American Woman's Educational Association (1852) and The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West. She died in Emira, New York on May 12, 1878.

@donna or @Anna Elizabeth Henry, are either of you aware of this book? A complete edition that includes all the illustrations and text is published by Rutgers University Press.
 
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