Housekeeping, whatever may be the opinion of the butterflies of the period, is an accomplishment in comparison to which, in its bearing on woman's relation to real life and to the family, all others are trivial. It comprehends all that goes to make up a well ordered home, where the sweetest relations of life rest on firm foundations, and the purest sentiments thrive. - Practical Housekeeping: A Careful Compilation, Estelle Woods Wilcox and Bertha Clow, 1883Housekeeping is the doing of the weekly and day-to-day activities within the home. These activities may include cleaning, laundry, paying bills, running errands, and grocery shopping. Housekeeping also includes monthly and seasonal activities such as window washing, oven cleaning, closet cleaning, and holiday decorating.
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Housewife Marjorie McWeeney stands amongst a symbolic display of a full week's housework for a typical
1940's housewife. Labour includes 35 beds to be made, 750 items of glass & china, 400 pieces of silverware to wash, 174 lbs. of food to prepare, and 250 pieces of laundry. It's a wonder she has time to put on her makeup. Image courtesy of Life Magazine.
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