Artifacts from Nineteenth-Century America
By: Elizabeth B. Greene
Edition: 1st ed.
Series: Daily Life through Artifacts
Publisher: Greenwood
Published: 2023
Place of publication: Westport, CT
Language: eng
Number of pages: 426
ISBN-13: 9798216183945
Subjects: History of the Americas
Description: This book presents both nationally significant objects and ordinary items from everyday life to provide insight into 19th century American society, showing readers how the production, design, function, and use of these objects can inform our understanding of the period. 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.
Table of contents: title: 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