Friday, June 8, 2018

Friday Smiles 275: a return to the Butler County Historical Society and Oil Museum


Goodness.  I had completely forgotten about sharing more photos from the Butler County Historical Society and Oil Museum, after the hiatus I took in April.  There will be no funnies today, because if some of these images don't make you smile, then you are 1) not interested in history, 2) don't appreciate antiques, 3) are too young to care, or 4) lived through that era and hate it prefer something a bit more modern.  I'm sure you are aware, however, that I'm here for Annie's Friday Smiles.

Let's return to the Kansas Oil Musuem,

and join Sally as she steps into a "typical" shotgun style house which was built on oil company property and rented to people who worked on the oil rigs.  The company town was important because these oil boom towns operated as divisions of the oil companies, and were under the authority of company officials. Developed in response to oil strikes, these oil communities had their own stores, company offices, schools, and entertainment. 

Sadly, everything was blocked off except this first small area that was part of the living room.



Even this part of the living room was roped off and it was hard to get a good shot without someone getting in the photo.  As an aside, I like my grandmother's sewing machine better.

Here I was looking into the bedroom.

You can see when I leaned in to get a better photo, how the area was blocked off.


There was no access to the kitchen, so what you saw was it!


No wonder the living room "couch" doubled as a bed.  There was absolutely NO privacy in these homes.

I was so fascinated by this screen door

I took two photos.

This should really, really make you smile.  I found it odd the museum would place a bench behind the "outhouse."

This is how people got their water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.  I was taken by the cup that hung above the well so people could stop yard work and get a drink.

I admit, my clothes line poles are rustier, but the lines are more stable than this one.  I'd hate to hang sheets on these clothes lines.

The back screen was not decorative, and that lawn mower looked like it wouldn't cut anything.

While I took photos of the exterior, Sally sat and read the brochure.



Then it was off to our next adventure at this museum.  However, I'm saving these photos until next week.

Thanks for joining me today and thanks for your continued visits.  Now let's visit Annie's Friday Smiles, where it never hurts to begin the weekend with a big smile, just like Annie's.

22 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

That's a pretty little house at the museum, but it must have been very crowded if a family lived there. I suppose we are used to more space these days. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day, Valerie

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh Elizabeth what a wonderful museum, giving us a slice of history. If only walls could talk. My great Aunt had a singer sewing machine, just like that one, I bet they would fold it down and use it as a table at meal times.
I wouldn’t like to use that plough to turn the soil and sow seeds, it looks far too much like hard work! The seat outside the outhouse was probably the only sit down they got apart from visiting the outhouse of course hee hee!
Thank you so much for sharing, it certainly brought a smile to my face.
Creative wishes Tracey xx

chrissie said...

A great look at the past Elizabeth and some fun pics you took as well. Lots of history has been preserved for people to enjoy.

Thank you for sharing this place with us

Love Chrissie xx

Annie said...

I saw so much in your photos that made me smile so thank you for sharing them.......the sewing machine, the quilts, the rocking chair, the door screen and even down to the little wooden bricks on the floor. Love it all.
Hugs,
Annie x

kaybee said...

Fascinating look back into history. My mother had a sewing machine like that.
Thank you for the insight!

My name is Erika. said...

Interesting house. We don't have that style here, but I have seen them on tv. I wonder why they didn't let you wander through the house. I do think the bench behind the outhouse is poor planning-but I guess people sit there as Sally did. :) I enjoyed the visit. I didn't realize there were oil towns (like there were coal mining and paper mill towns) and I guess there must have been an appeal to the workers and their families, but now we know how company towns weren't always the best. Have a great weekend. Hugs-Erika

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Wow! amazing photographs. I still have one of those old sewing machines that I learnt to sew on, belonged to my Grandmother though I think it might be a Jones rather than Singer. Have a great weekend and big hugs foe Bleu. Angela xXx

CJ Kennedy said...

The Handicap parking signs indicating parking on the sidewalk made me laugh. Oops! I enjoyed the peek into the home to see how people lived. The front screen door is very pretty. My grandmother made me a Granny square afghan like the one on the rocking chair. The outhouse looks like a one-seater so having a bench so you could sit and wait seems like a good idea. =^,.^=

Sami said...

So interesting to see who people lived years ago. I like that screen door too, and the sewing machine and radio are also beautiful.
I can't imagine having to go to the loo outside during winter, rainy days or at night!! Glad we don't have to do that anymore.
Have a great weekend Elizabeth.

froebelsternchen said...

A really fascinating look back into former times! Glad you showed this fabulous picks dear Eliazabeth! Thank you for sharing!
Hugs, Susi

kathyinozarks said...

Thank you for sharing this museum-I really enjoyed it and could relate to most of these settings-I have seen in amish homes and in very country homes where my Grandparents lived. I did get smiles from remembering.
I always wanted one of those sewing machines-but no room for one now-Happy Friday

Gibby Frogett said...

A fascinating insight to how people lived Elizabeth (was it around the 1920s? I think I must have missed when) thanks for sharing your day out and photos :)
And thanks for all the lovely comments you left on my pages this week.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Gill xx

Neet said...

I love seeing things/places like this. Fascinating to delve into the past and see how others lived.
Thanks for sharing and for your comments below each photo, some of which made me smile.
Hugs, Neet
any atc's arrived yet?

Jeanie said...

How I would love to snatch either of those quilts for my collection. They're really lovely. This is just the most interesting place. I love it when you visit spots like this.

And thanks for stopping by and weighing in on the gypsy!

Happy weekend!
jeanie

Meggymay said...

It really is good that there are museums like this one that preserve building from the past. I think you know I like visiting 'old' houses etc, and I am loving seeing the photos you share of your historic places.
I did smile at the photo of Sally sitting on the bench, waiting.
Am I right in thinking it was the outside privy[W.C.] for the house?
A super post to read tonight.
Yvonne xx

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for sharing your photographs here.
It's always interesting to see places like this.

All the best Jan

Rita said...

Great old house. Loved seeing all the old furnishings. :)

Lisa Graham said...

Looks like a great visit even though you could not get as close as you wanted. I miss Kansas. We moved to Colorado 2 months ago. Hope all is well Elizabeth. Happy weekend!

aussie aNNie said...

Thanks for sharing these amazing olden day pics, the sewing machine is the same as my mum used , fabulous.x

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Very interesting, Elizabeth. You got some fine shots of the other rooms despite the obstacles. I'm glad you mentioned that Sally was reading a brochure and not waiting on line to use the facilities.

Divers and Sundry said...

There are still some shotgun houses here. They may become quite the rage in this era of "tiny homes" :) Here's a link to an article on the houses here: https://www.memphistypehistory.com/shotgun/ They've been modernized, of course, so they have running water and indoor bathrooms.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Yes! There are lots of things to smile at here! I loved the old furniture and that fabulous treadle sewing machine! Hugs, Chrisx