The Fire Pit
The fire pit was a familiar sight in the farmyard. When large kettles needed to be hung over a fire, the kitchen fireplace might not be big enough, but the outside fire pit was ideal. During spring, summer and fall, the fire pit provided hot water for laundry. It was a good location for seasonal jobs like maple sugaring, butchering, soap making or cleaning sheep's wool for spinning. Some families might also use a fire pit to dye yarn and cloth or to re-dye faded clothing.
[Photo caption reads]
Washing greasy sheep's wool before spinning was hot and smelly work.
[Background illustration caption reads]
Making Maple Sugar, 1847
The Pictorial Reader by Rensselaer Bently
Erected by Old Sturbridge Village.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 42° 6.408′ N, 72° 5.931′ W. Marker is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. Marker is on the Old Sturbridge Village grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge MA 01566, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Farming as a Way of Life (within shouting distance of this marker); The Graveyard
Additional keywords. The Fire Pit
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.