Ceramics as Wealth in Nineteenth Century Virginia
Location
Room 207, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
100
Start Date
4-5-2023 10:45 AM
End Date
4-5-2023 11:00 AM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
History
Keywords
Lynchburg History, American History, 19th Century, Archaeology
Abstract
In the nineteenth century, ideas of socioeconomic status were changing across Virginia. The development of the American economy, industrialization across industries, and widespread technological advancements meant that once agreed upon metrics of class and status were being renegotiated. One of the changing status symbols of the time were ceramics and table wares. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, having any number of ceramic serving pieces was considered to be indicative of an upper-class lifestyle. By the end of the century, ceramic goods had become easily accessible and thus the symbol of status became the number of pieces and how intricate and refined those pieces were. Historic Sandusky was once a plantation in Lynchburg of almost 1600 acres with up to 12 enslaved individuals working on it. Recently, a large cache of ceramics and other artifacts was discovered under an addition on the original structure. Most of the pieces have been dated to the nineteenth century and as such are indicative of the lifestyle and material culture of the Hutter family, the residents of the home at the time. Ceramics are invaluable tools for archaeologists and historians to draw conclusions about the people who used them as they provide insight into class, financial status, social importance, and daily routine. The ceramics found at Sandusky specifically provide insight into the position of the Hutter family within greater Lynchburg society.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Christie Vogler
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Ceramics as Wealth in Nineteenth Century Virginia
Room 207, Schewel Hall
In the nineteenth century, ideas of socioeconomic status were changing across Virginia. The development of the American economy, industrialization across industries, and widespread technological advancements meant that once agreed upon metrics of class and status were being renegotiated. One of the changing status symbols of the time were ceramics and table wares. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, having any number of ceramic serving pieces was considered to be indicative of an upper-class lifestyle. By the end of the century, ceramic goods had become easily accessible and thus the symbol of status became the number of pieces and how intricate and refined those pieces were. Historic Sandusky was once a plantation in Lynchburg of almost 1600 acres with up to 12 enslaved individuals working on it. Recently, a large cache of ceramics and other artifacts was discovered under an addition on the original structure. Most of the pieces have been dated to the nineteenth century and as such are indicative of the lifestyle and material culture of the Hutter family, the residents of the home at the time. Ceramics are invaluable tools for archaeologists and historians to draw conclusions about the people who used them as they provide insight into class, financial status, social importance, and daily routine. The ceramics found at Sandusky specifically provide insight into the position of the Hutter family within greater Lynchburg society.