Hope Chest 175


Hope Chest


Hope chests were also used to store linens and personal belongings that a woman would bring with her (not unlike a dowry) after she married. This is where the word hope comes into play.

Hope chests were extremely popular through the 19th century. They were large, made out of wood, and contained a hinged lid. When settlers came from Europe to America, one of the only pieces of furniture they brought with them were hope chests. This is why so many survive today.

In colonial times, hope chests were extremely popular, and were made out of anything from cheap pine to more expensive woods such as walnut, mahogany or cherry. Some were lined with cedar chips, which is why the term cedar chest is also used to refer to a hope chest. To find out more information about hope chests, click on the articles below.

Articles
Cleaning Wood Hope Chests
So you think cleaning that wood hope chest is going to be a tough job? It really doesn't have to be as long as you follow a few simple steps. If you believe the hope chest you have is very old and possibly valuable, please take it to a professional.
Wedding Hope Chests
Hope chests have been a tradition in America since there was an America. While many other traditions fall by the wayside the hope chest still tends to capture the imagination of young women across the country.