In the early twentieth century American kitchens, the dominant color was white. Walls were frequently covered with white ceramic tile or painted with white enamel paint, as were the furniture and all the woodwork. The ideal kitchen sink was porcelain enameled on cast iron, also in white.

For cooking, the convenience and cleanliness of gas stoves took preference in households, as in this kitchen. Displayed here are pieces of china from the Oceanic Hotel, which burned down in the Great Fire of 1934, samples of previous linoleum flooring, and a ceiling fan salvaged after Hurricane Hazel, from the nearby Hanover Inn.

The Porch

Dining was frequently enjoyed outdoors on the porch to take advantage of the cool summer breezes at Wrightsville Beach.  The porch was also the place where the icebox was kept, for easy disposal of the melted ice. Here, perishables such as butter, milk, and meats were stored. The icebox was introduced in the 1860's, and in thirty years became a household necessity. It remained the primary food storage appliance until the introduction of the monitor-top refrigerator in 1927.

The Bedroom

In a turn of the century beach cottage bedroom, the theme was simplicity.  Pictured here is the jailhouse bed retrieved from the servant's quarters at the house's original location.

The Bathroom

During the early decades of the nineteenth century, bathing was not a regular practice.  Indoor plumbing did begin to emerge in the 1830's but usually only in the homes of the wealthy.  Bathrooms only became a commonplace feature in the American home after the Civil War due to the rise of industrialization and new ideas on sanitation and cleanliness.