My mother collected antiques, and she loved them. But I don’t think I paid much attention to them growing up, although I remember following her around in antique stores, admiring some of the unique items, and asking questions.
One such item in my home growing up was a buggy seat which my mother’s sister, my Aunt Mary, had given to her. African violets rested upon the seat collecting sunlight beneath the kitchen window.
When my mother passed away and various items were dispersed between the family, I got the buggy seat. I’ve enjoyed having this antique item in my home for the past forty plus years. Books, magazines, plants, and even a small water fall have graced this seat over time. Years ago, even my own young children sat on it and bounced away as I cautioned them to be careful, due to the age.
Although I’ve enjoyed having this antique in my home for many years, I must admit that I never thought about the history of the seat until my Aunt Mary and her twin sister, my Aunt Sue, traveled from out of state to Colorado to visit me a few years ago.
I was excited to show them my home and especially the antiques that first belonged to my mother. When we entered my dining room, I said, “Look, Aunt Mary. This is the buggy seat you gave to Mother. I’ve had it in our home all these many years.”
She smiled and replied, “Oh, yes, I remember it. I bought it at an antique store because it caught my eye. When your mother came to visit me one time, she admired it so much I gave it to her.”
Aunt Mary went on to say, “You know, I wonder who sat on this seat. Maybe it was a newlywed couple traveling to the wild west to settle a homestead.”
I replied, “I guess we’ll never know.”
Now when I dust the buggy seat, I think about the conversation with my Aunt Mary. Who sat here? I wonder. Was it a bachelor traveling to get his bride? Was it a husband and wife with a family moving away from the great Dust Bowl destruction, or moving on for a new opportunity during the great Depression? Maybe a number of people jostled upon the seat pulled by horses before it was abandoned when cars became the primary mode of travel. Maybe the travelers who sat upon this seat saw Indians along their journey. Oh, if only the buggy seat could talk!
This much I know. I treasure this antique item, and I know it has a past story of traveling hidden within it. I’m grateful to always be connected to my mother and my Aunt Mary every time I look at it. Who sat here? I wonder.
My Aunt Mary
Do you have a special antique in your home with a hidden story? I’d love to not only hear about it, but I would
enjoy sharing it with my readers.
beckyvanvleet9@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing this, Becky. Sadly, I don’t have any antiques, but like Debbie, I still have the sewing machine my grandmother gave me as a gift in the early sixties. Sadly, I don’t sew, so it has been packed away. Thank you for sharing this story of the buggy seat.
Thank you, Patti, for stopping by! So glad you have your grandmother’s sewing machine as a keepsake. Maybe someday you can pass it along to your granddaughter!
What a unique antique! And how fun to think and imagine who might have sat on it. Do I hear the beginnings of another story?
I hadn’t thought about another story, Kathy, but now that you’ve mentioned it, well, ummm . . .
Becky, I have my mother’s Singer Featherweight sewing machine she bought in the early 1950s and on which she sewed my sisters’ and my dresses. I love it because I remember seeing her sit at it for hours, working away on little girls’ dresses. I also have a spoon, fork, and knife my Grandpa Stephens whittled from cedar, plus several quilts made by both my grandmothers. I am blessed (as I know you are) to have descended from hard-working Americans who took care of their families even when times were hard. I love this post, Becky!
Thank you for sharing, Debbie. I know you treasure these kinds of memories like I do.