This is a copper washer boiler made in Rochester, New York in the 1800’s. These pots were used for doing the family’s laundry.
The boiler pot was placed on the stove, filled with water to the horizontal line. The water was then heated almost to boiling. The first batch of clothes to be washed were undergarments, shirts and sheets.
A little Lye soap was added, the clothes “paddled” to clean them. They were soaked for a half hour, then squeezed and put on the line.
Then, in same water, the process was repeated on the farm, mine or construction workers dirty clothes, but for a longer period of time.
One of the reasons the process was so time consuming was because laundry deter- gents weren’t invented until 1913.
The majority of homes did their laundry on Saturday or Sundays. Because the process tied up the stove all day, the family had to eat cold leftovers for Sunday dinner.
A few washer boilers are still available from antique dealers for $200 – $300. They make great containers for flowers or fireplace logs. If you want one, act quickly because they are selling like hotcakes.
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)
(Editor’s note: My grandmother used to make lye soap, which involves pouring water over ashes, rendering animal fat from butchering and melting it with water. Stir the lye and fat together, until it makes soap. The soap was made outside in a wash house because of the heat and odor.)
Loved this info – including the Editor’s additional info.