TraditionalFrog
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 129
- Location
- Indianapolis, Ind.
I can not really say with absolute certainty what really prompted my interest to begin with. I have had an interest of sorts for the old almost as far back as I can remember.
I first recall developing a serious interest in things old whilst reading the Little House series of books.
I also came to appeciate the Victorian Era due to living in a Victorian for a time as a child. In fact I have always thought that old things were more interesting and beautiful than the new or modern.
Also, as a note, both of my parents are history buffs of sorts, so history was always around me growing up.
As far as the Golden Era... My grandfathers both served in the Army during WWII (paternal grandfather was at SHAEF HQ then in the 2nd Armored Div, almost died in Battle of the Bulge. My maternal Grandfather was in the US Army Air Force, he repaired guns on aircraft after they returned from bombing runs). I developed my love of Big Band/Swing from them, and ultimately an interest in WWII. Because of them, I developed my love, respect and admiration for WWII veterans. Salute!
My biggest influence though had to be my (sadly, recently deceased) great aunt Mildred "Micki". Born in 1912, she remembered WWI (as a small girl), the Dust Bowl, Depression and WWII. She definitely lived the mottos "waste not, want not" and" use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"! She saved containers, plastic bags, elastic/rubber bands, etc. She also melted down and reused soap slivers, grew and canned most of her own vegetables. She made a good portion of her clothes by hand, and always hung her wash out to dry. This until her early 90's!
Aunt Micki lived in a Golden Era house, thus visiting her was like going in to the past, as much of her furniture was period original or Golden Era "flavoured". Her kitchen, excepting the refrigerator (it died and she had it moved to the basement and used for storage) was period, as were most of her appliances, gadgets, and cookware/dishes. I loved her vinatge range/oven in particular and old style breakfast nook off to one side. She still used the pull down ironing board as well.
Outside of the fitted wall to wall carpeting in her lounge (living room) and a television (somewhat hidden out of the way) her house had changed little. She listened to a table top radio occasionally when cooking, one she purchased in the mid/late 1950's. Not really true Golden Era but it was beautiful compared to the "made in China" junk that calls itself a radio today. She even used an original Western Electric rotary telephone until hers went wonky sometime in the mid 1990's (she allowed me to take her old one).
In the late 1990's she moved to a much smaller house, so much of her vintage she gave away. I got a few things, but I don't think she realised just how interested in the Golden Era I really was. I really, really, really wish I could have talked to her before she gave much of her beautiful vintage away to local neighbours and thrift/charity shops.
One thing I did find before she moved were some ration books that had fallen behind and under a desk drawer (good clue as to how long she had the desk), but I was unable to obtain the books at the time (not sure what she did with them as her grand daughter did not come across them after she died).
After she passed away, I was able to obtain some of her cookware (which I use) and a few other items from her grand daughter. There were more items but despite my "extreme" interest, they were never offered.
Another memory was she always would dress up before going out, even to the local food shop, or just a walk around the block. If she discovered she was out of something whilst cooking, she would go "freshen up" and change if needed before going out, even if she changed back in to her house dress and apron upon return. She almost always wore an apron when cooking. She also usually wore gloves when driving.
It was much the same when I was staying with her. I would have to clean up and put on "proper" clothes when going out with her, even if I changed back to play clothes upon return. She always looked classy, even when in her house dress, but especially when dressed up.
I could go on, but I don't wish to bore eveyone or clog this thread. Suffice it to say, as I stayed with her often when growing up, I too was able to be for several weeks of each year a Golden Era child.
Aunt Micki, thanks for the memories, love and life lessons. You are missed.
I first recall developing a serious interest in things old whilst reading the Little House series of books.
I also came to appeciate the Victorian Era due to living in a Victorian for a time as a child. In fact I have always thought that old things were more interesting and beautiful than the new or modern.
Also, as a note, both of my parents are history buffs of sorts, so history was always around me growing up.
As far as the Golden Era... My grandfathers both served in the Army during WWII (paternal grandfather was at SHAEF HQ then in the 2nd Armored Div, almost died in Battle of the Bulge. My maternal Grandfather was in the US Army Air Force, he repaired guns on aircraft after they returned from bombing runs). I developed my love of Big Band/Swing from them, and ultimately an interest in WWII. Because of them, I developed my love, respect and admiration for WWII veterans. Salute!
My biggest influence though had to be my (sadly, recently deceased) great aunt Mildred "Micki". Born in 1912, she remembered WWI (as a small girl), the Dust Bowl, Depression and WWII. She definitely lived the mottos "waste not, want not" and" use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"! She saved containers, plastic bags, elastic/rubber bands, etc. She also melted down and reused soap slivers, grew and canned most of her own vegetables. She made a good portion of her clothes by hand, and always hung her wash out to dry. This until her early 90's!
Aunt Micki lived in a Golden Era house, thus visiting her was like going in to the past, as much of her furniture was period original or Golden Era "flavoured". Her kitchen, excepting the refrigerator (it died and she had it moved to the basement and used for storage) was period, as were most of her appliances, gadgets, and cookware/dishes. I loved her vinatge range/oven in particular and old style breakfast nook off to one side. She still used the pull down ironing board as well.
Outside of the fitted wall to wall carpeting in her lounge (living room) and a television (somewhat hidden out of the way) her house had changed little. She listened to a table top radio occasionally when cooking, one she purchased in the mid/late 1950's. Not really true Golden Era but it was beautiful compared to the "made in China" junk that calls itself a radio today. She even used an original Western Electric rotary telephone until hers went wonky sometime in the mid 1990's (she allowed me to take her old one).
In the late 1990's she moved to a much smaller house, so much of her vintage she gave away. I got a few things, but I don't think she realised just how interested in the Golden Era I really was. I really, really, really wish I could have talked to her before she gave much of her beautiful vintage away to local neighbours and thrift/charity shops.
One thing I did find before she moved were some ration books that had fallen behind and under a desk drawer (good clue as to how long she had the desk), but I was unable to obtain the books at the time (not sure what she did with them as her grand daughter did not come across them after she died).
After she passed away, I was able to obtain some of her cookware (which I use) and a few other items from her grand daughter. There were more items but despite my "extreme" interest, they were never offered.
Another memory was she always would dress up before going out, even to the local food shop, or just a walk around the block. If she discovered she was out of something whilst cooking, she would go "freshen up" and change if needed before going out, even if she changed back in to her house dress and apron upon return. She almost always wore an apron when cooking. She also usually wore gloves when driving.
It was much the same when I was staying with her. I would have to clean up and put on "proper" clothes when going out with her, even if I changed back to play clothes upon return. She always looked classy, even when in her house dress, but especially when dressed up.
I could go on, but I don't wish to bore eveyone or clog this thread. Suffice it to say, as I stayed with her often when growing up, I too was able to be for several weeks of each year a Golden Era child.
Aunt Micki, thanks for the memories, love and life lessons. You are missed.