The Grandparent's Room

Often used as bedroom and living area for husband or wife’s parents. When these people no longer maintained a home, they were welcomed into the home of one of their son’s or daughter’s, where they lived out their lives, usually contributing to the family by helping to garden and farm, work with livestock, sew and mend, make repairs, sit with the sick or children, advise, teach, prepare home remedies, and assist with other tasks.

Most grandparents or great-grandparents were companions to children and advisors to the rest of the family. Many grandparents were excellent storytellers, passing on family history, local history, and popular stories which would entertain children and others for hours on end. Some played musical instruments and sang to entertain.