Woodenware

In colonial times, households used more items made of wood than we do today. Craftsmen or family members carved special wooden objects, especially implements for the kitchen.

Very early on, there were no dishes, and a family ate from a common pot set in the middle of the table or from trenchers. A trencher was a long wooden dish,

resembling a dough tray or a small trough and was usually shared between at least two people. Sometimes, even cups were made from wood.

Rolling pins were also important and used to roll out things like biscuits, cookies, pie crusts, and certain pastries. Some of them even had designs carved

in them to give the treat a design. A marzipan was mainly used to make candies resembling flowers, birds, animals, or other shapes for the holidays.

Another common wooden implement was the butter mold. The first ones were just a stamp used to press a design in the lump of butter, but these became half-pound or pound wooden cups with a design in the bottom and a handle to push the butter out into a dish. Some were square and plain, but the most common were round. The designs were usually a sheaf of wheat or some type of bird.

Other items included things like bowls, spoons, stirring paddles, mortar and pestles, etc. Different sizes of wooden boxes and chests stored various and sundry items like candles, tea, and spices. Some of them were also carved with special designs, depending upon the skill of the maker.

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