(Kitchen/living room). In the early farmhouse, families most often gathered in the open kitchen and living room area. The free-standing Hoosier cabinet in the kitchen also served as a workstation since most houses did not have built-in kitchen cabinets. The pump at the kitchen sink was the only form of running water in the homestead bringing water from a well outside. Before pumps, the carrying of water from a creek, spring, or pond was a daily task.

The potbellied stove in the corner provided a means of cooking as well as heat for the room where the family would gather around the table to share meals. Some cooking could be done in a pot hanging in the fireplace in the opposite corner. Activities like needlework, knitting, spinning and reading were enjoyed here.

(Bedroom). From the outside of the house, you can peek in the window of the bedroom and observe the sisters getting ready for the night. Nightcaps or sleeping caps were worn while sleeping to keep the head warm or to keep the hair tangle-free as they sleep.
In 1890, a bowl and pitcher for washing up could be found in most bedrooms, as well as a chamber pot which lived under the bed and was used by members of the household at night and emptied every morning.

Quilting came to America with the arrival of immigrants from Europe, including our local Danish families, who brought with them needle skills and knowledge of producing cloth. While quilts provided warmth and comfort, their colorful and intricate designs also provided a means of creative expression and many quilts tell a story.

The square gray item on the bed is a soapstone bed warmer that people used to warm their beds at night and keep their feet warm. The foot warmers were placed near the stove before bedtime to absorb and retain heat. The stone was rubbed along the entire mattress to warm it up and then wrapped in a cloth and put at the foot of the bed for continued heat for a night of cozy sleep.