Basement of the Park Forest House Museum

Outdoor clotheslines were forbidden in the rentals. Diapers and muddy clothes were washed and hung to dry in the
basement, where they took forever to dry. On the ironing board, we have an early Reporter newspaper with a
cartoon about the lack of dry clothes. The cartoonist was Margaret O'Harrow, wife of the first
Village President, Dennis O'Harrow.

Although many couples bought modern electric washing machines, wringer washers remained in some homes because they
were so effective for cotton diapers. Mangles were used to press linens and cotton shirts.
Sheets were not permanent press, then.

Tricycles and riding toys came to the basement on laundry day. Picnic coolers were heavy metal, not the light plastic we use.
The basement should have a workbench made of 2 x 4's culled from the lumberyard scrap heap. Two by fours were really
2 x 4's not the thinner wood sold today. Use of true 2 x 4's is part of the reason these rentals have stood the test of time
Basements leaked then as they do now. The hard clay subsoil is the main reason.
Early rentals did not have sump pumps, as this one does. And this basement is authentic—it still leaks!

Artifacts	Closets	Exterior
Bathroom	Cultural Items	Kitchen
Bedroom	Dining Room	Living Room
First Park Forest Library	Christmas at the House Museum	First Park Forest School
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