Designing for Personal Hygiene

Roseland Cottage was built at a time when there was increased awareness of the importance of good hygiene for health. Joseph Collins Wells designed the home with three first floor spaces for personal hygiene. A bathing room was located adjacent to the first floor chamber. Two indoor privies were placed in the northeast corner of the service wing. The architect’s 1845 plans show that one of the back-to-back privies was accessed through the wood house. It was likely used by the staff. The other privy was behind the service stairs to the second floor, reached by a hallway off the kitchen. This was likely used by members of the Bowen family. In subsequent modernizations and expansions, the privies in the service ell were removed.