Historical information
This item was bought by George Henry Douglas Russell when he married Hilda Raymond, a parson's daughter, in 1920.
This galvanised metal wash tub was manufactured for domestic use prior to household plumbing, running water or waste removal in Australian homes. On farms in the late 19th / early 20th centuries there were no built-in coppers and concrete troughs with reticulated water. Thus the washing for the family of five daughters was done with this tub. .Tubs of this type vary in size and were used for washing dishes (It was the “ kitchen sink”) or for washing smaller items of clothing “the delicates”.
This tub could also have been used to bathe the children. The water was heated on a wood fired stove, then carried to the tub. This could be a lengthy and physically demanding exercise. Much more labor intensive than loading the dishwasher.
After use the water may have been “recycled”by being poured onto vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Later at harvesting this tub held maize and beans to top up the three bushel bags of the threshing machines. This was before the hand sewing of the top of the bags with needle and twine.
Significance
This tub is an indication that items for domestic use in the early 20th century were “made to last” and not manufactured for planned obsolescence.
Physical description
A large galvanized iron was tub, circular with the sides tapering slightly to the flat base. It is seamed on both sides, made from two shets of iron. The base has been soldered on. and the top rim is folded. On either side handles are rivetted on.
