The Keeping Room
A 17th Century Home
In a 17th century home, the combined kitchen and living space was called the 'keeping room.' Here the food was prepared and served, and daily tasks such as spinning, weaving, mending, and candle making were performed.Cold Winter Nights
On very cold winter nights, the family would even sleep in this room, because it had been warmed all day by the fireplace.The Family Center
The large keeping room fireplace has two brick ovens and an ashpit. It is surrounded with pots and pans hanging for the fireplace cranes, along with dutch ovens, and other cooking items. The hearth was the center of the family. The work only ended when the daylight was gone.A Work Room
Other items in the keeping room include a cheese press, a curd basket that separates the curd from the whey for making cheese, and a hornbeam barrel that is made from a tree trunk, used for food storage.
Cheese Press |
Curd Basket |
Hornbeam Barrel |
