Redland in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Privy
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 13, 2022
1. Privy Marker
Inscription.
Privy. . The outhouse, or privy, meaning "place of privacy," was the outdoor toilet for the farm family. Often it was utilized long after there was running water piped inside the house. The privy was placed over a 3-to-6 foot deep hole and would be moved to a different location when the hole became full. Inside would be one, two or three holes cut into a raised wood plank, with lids on hinges. One of the holes would be smaller for the children. Newspapers, old catalogue pages, or corn husks would have taken the place of modern toilet paper. Lime would be sprinkled in the holes to reduce the odor. Ventilation holes,some in the shape of a crescent moon, heart, or star were often cut into the upper part of the odor and walls.
The outhouse, or privy, meaning "place of privacy," was the outdoor toilet for the farm family. Often it was utilized long after there was running water piped inside the house. The privy was placed over a 3-to-6 foot deep hole and would be moved to a different location when the hole became full. Inside would be one, two or three holes cut into a raised wood plank, with lids on hinges. One of the holes would be smaller for the children. Newspapers, old catalogue pages, or corn husks would have taken the place of modern toilet paper. Lime would be sprinkled in the holes to reduce the odor. Ventilation holes,some in the shape of a crescent moon, heart, or star were often cut into the upper part of the odor and walls.
Location. 39° 9.835′ N, 77° 7.797′ W. Marker is in Redland, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Rock Creek Park Road half a mile north of Muncaster Road,
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on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18400 Muncaster Mill Rd, Gaithersburg MD 20877, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smoke House (a few steps from this marker); Bussard Family (a few steps from this marker); Chicken Coop (within shouting distance of this marker); Evolution of a House (within shouting distance of this marker); Broody House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dinner Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Bussard Farmhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodshed (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Redland.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 13, 2022
2. The Privy
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
