Homemaking as the 20th Century rolled around

When the Ides of Age felled volunteers at Gibson Museum, they simply called in younger ones — a lot younger. Kayla Ricetti, age 5, of Hidden Valley Lake, is fascinated by the “strange” qualities of early hand irons. She is positioning a commonplace vintage iron that was heated by placing it on a wood- or coal-burning kitchen stove. More technologically advanced is an iron with a fuel tank for kerosene or gasoline. At the forefront is a hollow iron that could be heated by filling it with hot embers. - Contributed photo — When the Ides of Age felled volunteers at Gibson Museum, they simply called in younger ones — a lot younger. Kayla Ricetti, age 5, of Hidden Valley Lake, is fascinated by the “strange” qualities of early hand irons. She is positioning a commonplace vintage iron that was heated by placing it on a wood- or coal-burning kitchen stove. More technologically advanced is an iron with a fuel tank for kerosene or gasoline. At the forefront is a hollow iron that could be heated by filling it with hot embers. – Contributed photo

UPDATED: August 23, 2018 at 12:00 AM PDT

MIDDLETOWN >> Come see the artifacts of domestic life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in South Lake County. The Gibson Museum & Cultural Center presents an exhibition of such things, now through the end of September.

This late summer display takes a peek at how women provided care and nurturing for the family. A hand-cranked laundry wringer, an early bread toaster (you’ll find the same model in the Smithsonian Museum), and a waffle iron designed for use on a coal stove show industrial efforts to make mom’s life a little easier. There’s more to see, but it’s not only kitchen duty.

Take a look at turn-of-the-century shoe fashions, needlework, quilts and more.

The home exhibit is nestled among mining, Native American, and local geology artifacts and information. Gibson docents are happy to answer questions. It’s all a part of your heritage.

The Gibson Museum at 21267 Calistoga Road (across from Middletown Square) in Middletown. The museum is open to visitors Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Learn more at www.thegibsonmuseum.com.

Originally Published: August 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM PDT