The Hope Chest is a Time Capsule!

I’m wondering if anyone under the age of 35 knows what a hope chest is? My mother has one and so do most women of her age. That’s where they collected the linens and other items – maybe a negligee or two - they would use to set up a home when they married.

Mom, who is in her seventies, received her hope chest from my father after becoming engaged to him. Other women received their chests from their own mothers before becoming engaged. I have been talking to women of all ages about their hope chests, and I’ve found that everyone seems to have a different story about how they received and used these attractive storage chests.

We just received the contents of a 90-year-old woman’s hope chest. It contained the story of her life! The embroidered and cutwork linen, tablecloths, antimacassars (anyone want to take a guess?) and pillowcases stitched with the couple’s initials. The wedding journal from the 1940s – she never wrote in it, but she kept it all those years; perhaps she couldn’t bring herself to part with a gift from her bridal shower. Did she wear that white lace boudoir jacket on her honeymoon?

We also got a glimpse into her married life. The aprons, neatly folded and unstained but soft from use, were handmade with Christmas themes and whimsical patterns typical of the 1950’s. Tablecloths the size of card tables were embroidered on each corner. China teacups recalled the countries where the couple had travelled. Gently worn, kid leather gloves, pocketbooks and piles of delicately embroidered handkerchiefs spoke of special occasions.

Today, vintage hope chests are not necessarily bought in anticipation of married life, but for the great storage they offer. If you happen to have inherited or have purchased a Lane hope chest from the 1920’s through 1987, you can call Lane at 1-888-856-8758 to receive a new childproof lock – see how things have changed? I can’t even imagine thinking my mother’s hope chest was the perfect place to hide when playing hide and go seek! But my big sister and I sure did like to peak into Mom’s hope chest – when she sent us there to retrieve something – and see the treasures inside.