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Dec 27, 2009, 2:57pm

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Colonial Backwoods :: 18th Century Forums :: Frontier & Colonial Women :: The Women's Outhouse (!)
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AuthorTopic: The Women's Outhouse (!) (Read 58 times)
Avalon
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The Women's Outhouse (!)
« Thread Started on Sept 8, 2009, 8:09pm »
Here is a tidbit on the history of the moon decoration on outhouses. It's from an article in "Cowboys & Indians" magazine. Not sure how true it is, but the author does include a bibliography on outhouses... :

"Curiously, the crescent moon equated today with outhouse doors wasn't always a universal symbol. Nor was the actual intent simply for ventilation and light. In Colonial times, an era when few people could read, the crescent moon associated with Luna was a gender identification symbol for women. Likewise, the men's outhouse was then designated with a sun or star cutout on the door. However, by the mid 1800s, the original meanings were lost on the general population."
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Re: The Women's Outhouse (!)
« Reply #1 on Sept 8, 2009, 9:34pm »
Great information!
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Re: The Women's Outhouse (!)
« Reply #2 on Sept 9, 2009, 9:20am »
I would like to see some documentation on that one... LOL
That would require every house, buisness, tavern, etc. to have TWO privy's, and if so FEW could read, how did they learn about ancient gods i.e. Luna ?? That one sounds 'cute' but to me it don't make sense.....
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