Dry Sink, circa 1850

Summary

Before homes had indoor plumbing, dry sinks gave housewives a place to wash dishes or clean vegetables. Though not connected to a water supply, dry sinks were an improvement over buckets or basins placed on a bench or the floor. Some dry sinks had soapstone or zinc linings. In others, housewives placed a wash basin inside the top of the wooden cabinet.

Before homes had indoor plumbing, dry sinks gave housewives a place to wash dishes or clean vegetables. Though not connected to a water supply, dry sinks were an improvement over buckets or basins placed on a bench or the floor. Some dry sinks had soapstone or zinc linings. In others, housewives placed a wash basin inside the top of the wooden cabinet.

Artifact

Dry sink

Date Made

circa 1850

Place of Creation

United States, New England 

Henry Ford Museum
 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Home Arts

Object ID

72.43.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of George O. Bird.

Material

Pine (Wood)

Color

Yellow (Color)
Green

Dimensions

Height: 39.5 in  (at backborad)

Width: 46.25 in

Depth: 14 in

Height: 31.25 in  (h of work surface)

Height: 13.5 in  (h of bottom shelf)

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