Twentieth Century Life in these Houses: Yard Broom

Yard Broom

Figure 55: Yard broom

Here at her old home, showing the old ways of housekeeping, Ms. Catherine is holding a yard broom that she made. When she lived here, her yard was swept daily. This custom was widely practiced in West Africa and widely practiced by both African Americans and European Americans at Mars Bluff. Note that the yard broom was made of tree branches, while the house broom on the left was made of broomstraw. (Photo 1986)

Amelia Wallace Vernon, African Americans at Mars Bluff, South Carolina (Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University, 1993. Reprint. Columbia: University of South Carolina, 1995), p.168-171.