These Mysterious Home Features Once Served A Purpose Centuries Ago

Published on 01/03/2022
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A Button In The Middle Of The Floor

A random button on the wall or floor may be seen in certain homes. These were servant buttons, which were an electric servant summoning mechanism that became popular in the late 1800s. These buttons, often known as “butler buttons,” summon a servant to the chamber. Some homes’ floors are littered with servant buttons. Since architects couldn’t estimate the size of the table the owner would use, the button was placed on the floor to ensure that the master could reach it. Most servant buttons are now painted over or hidden behind a rug.

A Button In The Middle Of The Floor

A Button In The Middle Of The Floor

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Separate Mini House

Large estates in New England may feature a separate outdoor barn from the main house. Large fires and stone ovens are included in these barns. Summer kitchens are where servants and slaves prepare large enough meals to feed everyone on the estate. Summer kitchens were popular in the nineteenth century and were intended to keep the main house cool. Cooking in a separate dwelling would keep the family from overheating because everything was done on wood-burning stones and fires. Bedrooms for employees and slaves were included in several summer kitchens.

Separate Mini House

Separate Mini House

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