Bev--think local 'sun time'.

That neat little dealie I carry on occassion that gives me pocket sun time to the minute--out of date by this war, but hanging on the rack for about $12 at Faire at New Boston.  

Bev,

Ah, what an appropriate day to talk about time.  I hate changing clocks.  

Time as we know it began to be "standardized" in the 1880s by the railroads, however, local towns and citizens were slow to adopt the new measure of keeping time.  Today every community and citizen runs on standard time.  When it's noon in New York, it's noon in all "eastern" communities, but it didn't used to be so.

For the most part, as Terre said, think 'sun time' or the time on the sun-dial, or at the noon mark.  At the Bradford Place we have a mark in the doorway and when the sun hits that mark we set the clock to noon, or "local time."

There are also formulas that can be used today for reenactments that comes pretty close, but I can't remember what it is despite using it at the Inn and the trial, and several other events. Hank's always been the one to figure that sort of thing out.  Sounds like higher math, and I'm still at 1+1 =3 er, I mean 2.  

More later,

Linda

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hanktrent wrote : City things, with some small town things as well, and no, I don't know all of these: How to find a drink of water or use the "restroom" when you're downtown. Hank Trent hanktrent@voyager.net

Well, this is my first post, and unfortunately it begins with a "potty" question   but I actually did get this question recently from a spectator.  Anyone come across any references to address this pressing concern?

Joanna Jones

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Joanna Jones wrote :   Well, this is my first post, and unfortunately it begins with a "potty" question   but I actually did get this question recently from a spectator.  Anyone come across any references to address this pressing concern?

Hi Joanna,  Would you please clarify your question?  I'm not exactly sure what you're asking.

Thanks,

Linda.  

--Last edited by Linda Trent on 2007-12-12 11:47:06 --

Sorry - I was curious, because I had been asked by spectators, what happened if you were away from home, in town, and had to use the bathroom.  Were there public privies, or privies behind businesses for customers to use?  I did a Google books search for privies and am winding my way through several thousand documents concerning the regulation of and lawsuits concerning privies, but have not found my specific answer.  I'm going to refine my search I think.

Thanks,
Joanna Jones

does this need its own topic heading?  

--Last edited by Joanna Jones on 2007-12-12 14:10:17 --

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Joanna Jones wrote : what happened if you were away from home, in town, and had to use the bathroom.  Were there public privies, or privies behind businesses for customers to use?

Not easy to research, but here are a couple of data points, the first of which I just found yesterday.

The first is from Sunshine and Shadow in New York, by Matthew Hale Smith, 1869 p. 365-366:

This is talking about conditions among the poor of New York city, so I'm not sure what the implication is... that other homes kept their outdoor privies locked? That more upscale people were polite enough not to use the privies of other homes? Anyway...

Quote :

The vaults and water-closets are disgusting and shameful. They are accessible not only to the five or six hundred occupants of the building, but to all who choose to go in from the street. The water-closets are without doors, and privacy is impossible. Into these vaults every imaginable abomination is poured. The doors from the cellar open in the vault, and the whole house is impregnated with a stench that would poison cattle.

The second is mentioned in the infamous My Secret Life, concerning 19th century England. The author mentions seeing women in the city going down an alley or to a secluded area of a park, and simply squatting to pee in "public," though of course to his dismay, nothing private was usually visible, with long skirts.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

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hanktrent wrote :  Simply squatting to pee in "public," though of course to his dismay, nothing private was usually visible, with long skirts.

Hank,

My wife tells me, above all issues of authenticity; the ease of performing necessary bodily functions is the single best reason to wear proper period under gamments. Oh yeah, she says they also make the clothing fit better.

In Harper's Ferry there is a two story privy next to the boarding house. The last time I looked the partition between the first a second level was gone. It seems the first level would be available for anyone on the street or visiting the stores.  

Where at in teh boarding house are you talking of? Im trying to remember if I have seen a partition there or not. i dont think there is one there anymore. I recall coming down teh stairs and seeing the offices that were being used for provost. Im going to have to look next time Im there.

Period appropriate drawers are an absolute must have.. especially when your in a confined portapot! They can truley be the worst when it comes to ones hoops. And we wont even get into the discussion on if someone was aiming or not!!!!  Lets just say that handicap bathrooms are a blessing for me!

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chatrbug wrote : Where at in the boarding house are you talking of?

Dulcie,

You can see the two story privy from the main street. It's across the street from the Provost Office. Next to the building that has the clothing store and other businesses. The upstairs is a boarding house. The privy is built from rough stone.

 

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You can see the two story privy from the main street. It's across the street from the Provost Office. Next to the building that has the clothing store and other businesses. The upstairs is a boarding house. The privy is built from rough stone.

Bill,

Thanks for that information because I always wondered what that building was used for!  My only question was why had it not occurred to me to ask a park ranger?     I wonder about myself sometime.    

Mark

I was on the wrong side of the street  I know where your talking about, didnt pay it much attention though.