Photo Hunters: Hanging
July 26, 2008 by Mrs. Mecomber
Filed under Civil War, Erie Canal, Photo Hunters, art, crazy, education, history, museums
Well, here’s a weird thing I have for you this week. Hair wreaths! Yes, hair wreaths! I’d never, ever heard of them until we saw them at the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, NY. I guess they were all the rage in the mid-1800s, especially during the Civil War era. In an era when women recycled everything from ear wax (for chapped lips, ewww) to used vinegar (to treat blackheads and oily skin), they even recycled their own hair!
Hair was meticulously reserved from the brush after brushing one’s hair. Grandma’s silvery white whispers of hair, Aunt Sally’s redheaded curls, and Mother’s long brunette strands were curled around a hot pencil-shaped iron. The curly locks were then stitched or tied together in a wreath-like shape. Some added ribbons, or extra-curly or braided hair as garnish. The ladies hung the decorative wreaths in their parlors!
I have since seen several such hair wreaths in the various homes we have visited, including one in the parlor of a historical home at the Erie Canal Village in Rome, the Old Stone Fort as I mentioned, Fort Ontario in Oswego, and the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse.
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 10:57 am
I just learned something new. How interesting, Mrs. Mecomber! Those look very lovely in the photographs.
Frugal Grandma on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:11 am
What interesting photos! I have seen hair wreaths before in one of the museums in Springfield, Illinois – but that was a long time ago. I wonder if the new Lincoln museum has any hanging?
Since there were no Hobby Lobbys or Michaels in the Civil War era, gals had to be more creative when it came to craft supplies. Personally, I am glad this craft has never had a revival.
The wreaths really are amazing though – truly pieces of art. Thanks for sharing the photos!
Criz Lai on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:20 am
This is something interesting. I have heard about this but have never seen one before. Thanks for the sharing.
http://crizcats.blogspot.com/
maryt/theteach on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:24 am
Mrs. Mecomber, I never knew about these hair wreaths. They are beautiful!
Friends FurEver on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:28 am
Wow those are amazing!
Thanks for visiting our blog too!!
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids (and their Mom!)
Christina on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:29 am
That is just crazy wierd!! Good post
Michelle on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:49 am
I didn’t know that. How interesting. But ear wax for chapped lips. Yuck!
Karen on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:57 am
For some reason, that just seems strange. Hair art is right up there with old shoes. Just too creepy for me.
Sue on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 12:12 pm
That’s one way to recycle. I guess they were the first recyclers. That’s kind of weird but imaginative. You’re right I have never heard of it before. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
storyteller on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 12:30 pm
I’ve never heard of such a thing, but it’s fascinating and lovely too. Thanks for sharing. My Photo Hunt is up too at Sacred Ruminations.
Hugs and blessings,
Daisy the Curly Cat on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 12:32 pm
It’s really strangely beautiful and delicate-looking!
Babs - beetlephotos on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 12:38 pm
Ear wax!!!! Eurghhhh! The hair wreaths are rather pretty though.
A Whole Lot of Nothing on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 12:45 pm
That kinda creeps me out. But it’s beautiful at the same time.
manic mo on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:04 pm
I’ve seen hair art before, but using ear wax as lip balm is a new one on me…. I second your EWWWWW!
Sandy on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:18 pm
Never heard of a hair wreath but knew about hair lockets. Very interesting and bizarre.
Karen of Sillymonkeez on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:19 pm
How interesting. They are very ornate. And ewwwww to all that other recycled stuff. LOL!!
Thanks for visiting me today! I hope you’ll come back to enter in my giveaway that starts on Sunday.
Aiyah Nonya on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:33 pm
Interesting. I learn something new here.
Hummie on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:38 pm
Hey, that’s cool! I have never seen anything like that. It makes me wonder what else they re-used hair for. My imagination can run.
gengen on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 1:47 pm
Yes its true thats unique…happy weekend.
Suzanne on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 2:38 pm
I have never heard of hair wreaths before! Very unique!
Sallyacious on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 3:00 pm
I had heard of these before. People also made very small ones for pins and pendants and other jewelry. They’re beautiful, and yet modern, antiseptic me can’t help but find them a little creepy.
Wade Huntsinger on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 3:01 pm
Very unique indeed. A lesson we can learn from the past to not be as wasteful these days.
katney on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 3:05 pm
You are right, I have never seen a hair wreath. I do, however, from the same time period, have a watch fob made of my grandmother’s hair.
little light on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 3:44 pm
these are really pretty! and so creative of them, too. thanks for sharing. now i learned something new today.
SabineM on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 3:57 pm
Well I am thankful that we are not in the 1800’s. I love chapstick, and I am not sure I would feel that way if it were the 1800’s!!
Great take on the theme!
Alice Audrey on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 4:02 pm
My family owns a picture of flowers made of hair. To this day I wonder which strand belonged to which relative.
Jientje on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 4:08 pm
Very interesting indeed, I never heard of that before!
Thx for visiting mine too!
Carver on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 4:18 pm
I’ve never heard of hair wreaths. Those look quite beautiful.
Vic on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 4:44 pm
What a cool little piece of history. I find things like that fascinating. Do you think it is an artform born of frugality or perhaps a lack of available interesting materials at the time?
Janet on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 5:19 pm
wow, i’ve never seen one of those…how interesting!
Kat - Sassy Irish Lassie on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 5:53 pm
Oh that is a bit creepy. You were right, I had NEVER heard of this before!
Dawn on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 6:04 pm
Very interesting indeed. Very antique, very cool. I love anitques. Thanks for dropping by Mrs. Mecomber.
Sassy Mama Bear on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 6:40 pm
You win I had never heard of that kind of hanging. I thought wow those are really beautiful and then I read they were made of real hair and I thought, hmmm, pretty art to have hung on the wall tightly framed, but not to wear. You find such neat things.
Chica & Pumuckl on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 7:25 pm
Wow, we have really never heard about that before… very interesting!
Have a great weekend!
Starnitesky on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 7:47 pm
How fascinating. I have never heard of such a thing.
Leslie in Canada on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 9:17 pm
I’m sorry but that is just too creepy for me. It’s kind of like making art out of a body part. And the ear wax….GROSS! I must say, though, that you have an interesting and unique take on the theme!
Flo on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 10:15 pm
That is absolutely fascinating but I think it creeps me out a little too
I just have to say I’m glad I was born when I was.
tanabata on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:46 pm
How interesting! I hadn’t heard of these before either.
Vicki on Sat, 26th Jul 2008 11:59 pm
Oh my. I’ve heard of hair jewelry from that time, but I never knew about hair wreaths before. Really interesting!
Lew on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 12:34 am
Interesting art work. It must have taken a lot of hand work to make those patterns. Thanks for visitng my PhotoHunt.
Sandier Pastures on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 12:43 am
Very interesting and I haven’t heard about this before. Thanks for the education.
Leslie on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 2:12 am
Now that’s unusual!
eastcoastlife on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 7:53 am
That’s interesting! I would like to try it too. I had my ponytail snipped off when I was 15 and I kept it until now. I’m going to try it. Thanks for the info.
JC on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 8:15 am
Very interesting… and quite unique…
sarge charlie on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 10:03 am
I think you must have a unique hanging here
philos on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 1:24 pm
Now that’s what I call an “hair” loom :p Thanks for sharing this!
Susan on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 4:44 pm
Very interesting, never would guess at first glance that they are entirely made of hair.
sammawow on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 4:49 pm
That’s amazing – I’ve never heard of hair wreaths before. Great take on the theme!
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 5:27 pm
You’re right. I’ve NEVER heard of that. It’s beautiful!
Teena in Toronto on Sun, 27th Jul 2008 10:10 pm
I’ve never heard of a hair wreath!
Thanks for stopping by
cating on Mon, 28th Jul 2008 5:00 am
The first picture is a bit creepy, with the black arm in the side. It made me stare at it for a few seconds. hehehe.
kewl concept, but the hair wreath is indeed weird:)
Annie on Mon, 28th Jul 2008 8:36 am
Now this is a fascinating entry! Who knew?
Mrs. Mecomber on Mon, 28th Jul 2008 10:50 am
Some of these comments are downright funny! Yeah, what else was an 1800s woman to do, bereft of craft shops? LOL!
People did weird things with hair back then. After someone died, they clipped a lock of hair and tucked it in a necklace or brooch, or ring. Someone in Alexander Hamilton’s family has a ring with his hair in it.
Thanks for your comments!
tnchick on Tue, 29th Jul 2008 3:53 pm
I have heard of that before, a while ago – and somewhere (not sure where) saw some on display. It’s very interesting and those photographs are truly great. Very nice and a super item to share for hanging!