In the closet of the master bedroom, the husband and wife did not keep much clothing, but they did make a collection of other accessories that sometimes were not put to use. The husband had one or two suits at the most that consisted of a few casual outfits: oxfords and slacks. The wife had two dresses one of which she would wear probably everyday and the other was called the "Sunday Best dress." (1)

Hats and hat boxes were usually found on the top shelf of the closet along with belts, scarfs, ties, and suspenders. Shoes were, for the most part, on the floor or, from time to time, on the shelf.

In their closet, the parents usually kept wrapped Christmas and Birthday presents hidden away from the family. This was a great hidding place for the closet is one's personal and private space. It obviously had many uses.

In addition, couples would probably keep old love letters and other personal artifacts such as diaries and or journals hidden away in cigar boxes. Amy McGarry explains in her project about closets in the master bedroom how "...there were many empty boxes portrayed this display signifying the various uses of empty boxes," (Amy). Just like I have stated, she states how letters and other documents where stored in these boxes.

There were many more objects other than clothes that needed to be stored away. This is where the closet came in handy because they used this space to keep things while not in use. Some of these objects included: luggage, spare bed sheets, blankets and pillows. Portable typewriters and space heaters "were not required for daily use", but they were needed.(1) Keeping this object in a closet was probably more convenient for the parents because of the easy access.

Expensive jewelry and other valuable items were hidden in the closets so that nobody had any access to them except for those who knew where they were kept. Women also kept their sewing machines and dress kits on the floor of the closet when they were not in use.

Go to Children's Bedroom Closet