18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Saturday, March 29, 1913: Ma and I went to Milton this morning. The chief object of which was the buying of me a graduation dress. It is a plain white batiste to be trimmed with lace insertion and edging. I got some other things besides. Ma bought a piano. I’m so glad for now I can learn to play.
Caption: Patience Personified
I recently visited the Roller Mills Antique Center in Lewisburg and found this old post card that advertised a piano store in Milton. Did Grandma and her mother buy their piano from C.A. Bennage?
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
What a fun shopping trip!—It’s amazing that Grandma and her mother bought BOTH a graduation dress and a piano on the same trip.
A piano is a major purchase. In this era before women’s rights, I’m surprised that Grandma’s mother was able to make a purchase of this size without her husband coming along. Even today, I think that both spouses would generally be actively involved in making a purchase of this size.
The piano purchase must have been planned, discussed at home, and planned again before your Great Grandma went ahead and bought it. That’s my guess since it was such a major decision. The graduation dress sounds lovely too and how excited Grandma must have been.
Roller Mills is a wonderful place to find little historical treasures. I wish they were able to take pictures like they do today, I would love to see her in the dress.
Hi. For me, a graduation dress was a prom gown. I wonder if Helena’s dress was to look nice at the graduation ceremonies???? I’m anxious to hear if they had a graduation dance. Jane
Yeah, I was surprised at how casually she mentioned it. A lot of pianos today cost, like, what? At least $1000 dollars? I’m not sure–we got ours for free from MY Grandma! (But it still costs a TON to tune it!)
I recently visited the Roller Mills Antique Center in Lewisburg and found this old post card that advertised a piano store in Milton. Did Grandma and her mother buy their piano from C.A. Bennage?
How wonderful that you tracked down this Post Card Sheryl. I’m looking forward to Miss Muffly sharing her experiences with their brand new piano… 🙂
Wow! You’re right about Grandma’s mother buying a piano on her own! What a wonderful shopping trip!
The piano purchase must have been planned, discussed at home, and planned again before your Great Grandma went ahead and bought it. That’s my guess since it was such a major decision. The graduation dress sounds lovely too and how excited Grandma must have been.
Great sleuthing! (How many piano stores might have been in Milton?)
And the postcard is adorable 🙂
I don’t know, but It’s hard to imagine that a town the size of Milton could have supported more than on piano store.
I’m surprised, too! But I love how the dress was ready to be trimmed–not a finished product in itself! So they could personalize it.
Roller Mills is a wonderful place to find little historical treasures. I wish they were able to take pictures like they do today, I would love to see her in the dress.
Lewisburg is such a fun town. Both the Roller Mills and the Street of Shops are great places to find really interesting old items.
We usually spend the whole day at both and then a nice dinner at Country Cupboard.
Wondering if she ever did learn how to play the piano. I hope she did!
Stay tuned–no pun intended. 🙂
I was surprised by the piano, too.
I hope we hear more about that piano!
Hi. For me, a graduation dress was a prom gown. I wonder if Helena’s dress was to look nice at the graduation ceremonies???? I’m anxious to hear if they had a graduation dance. Jane
Yah, that’s not exactly something you’d pick up at the checkout on impulse…LOL Way to shop ladies!
I love antique stores and flea markets. I’m so often amazed how I happen upon random items that I can use to illustrate diary entries.
Yeah, I was surprised at how casually she mentioned it. A lot of pianos today cost, like, what? At least $1000 dollars? I’m not sure–we got ours for free from MY Grandma! (But it still costs a TON to tune it!)
Oh yeah, and…
Wonder what the process was to get theirs home?
Maybe it was delivered by a team of horses pulling a delivery wagon.
That’d be quite the sight today! Maybe even back then, too, or at least for a small town.