Making water flow from the tap at the kitchen sink seems like a pretty easy task. But it wasn’t always as simple as turning a faucet handle or even just waving a hand at it as can be done today! The reproduction kitchen sink at the May-Stringer Museum represents the type of sink that might have been in the kitchen around 1900. The hand pump at the sink would have been a step up in convenience instead of having to carry a bucket of water from the well in the yard. A little water would have been saved for priming the pump…replacing the air in the pump with water to complete the suction action. There are two cisterns under the May-Stringer and a gutter and downspout system would have carried rainwater into the cistern storage. Water at the kitchen sink meant a little work by pumping, but that was much easier than hauling a full bucket of water from the well.
The Museum Schedules
The May-Stringer tours on Tuesday – Saturday from 11 am – 3 pm – 352-799-0129
The 1885 Depot tours on Friday – Saturday from noon – 3 pm – 352-799-4766
The Countryman One Room Schoolhouse is open on Saturdays from noon – 3 pm – 352-515-3054
