A Symbol of a Family’s Place in American Culture
Vintage aprons from a family collection
A Symbol of a Family’s Place in American Culture
Recently, my aunt and mother’s youngest sister handed me a bag of aprons she’d been storing in her attic and wanted me to have them. I returned home with the bag and put it on the shelf in my bedroom closet. Weeks later when I saw her, I asked her about them. “I don’t want these aprons to carry ghosts of unknown dead people in my house.” I joked. “No, all those aprons belonged to someone in the family,” she said.
“What?” I asked. How was she able to hold on to those aprons for so long and why? My aunt, a woman in her 80’s, with a mind as sharp as a tack, and a memory as clear as crystal, told me about the items. She described the aprons and connected them to who wore them. I was shocked. Suddenly, I was a recipient of something more that aprons but a reminder of my aunts’ participation in the 1950’s and 1960’s culture of black women working as domestics; women who cared for white families – cooking, cleaning, and often raising their children while holding a job. I know at least three of my aunts served as domestics as did my mother, maternal and paternal grandmothers.
As I touched each apron, I wondered when they were worn. Some looked like they were to provide a more polished look to a uniform than to protect clothing from a mess. I imagined the meals served, dishes washed, floors scrubbed, and scrutiny endured while wearing the aprons. I imagined the care and energy these women poured out to these families each day before going home to care for their own.
I can recall in the 1980’s when my mom checked on the house of a family she had worked for as a domestic for many years; before I was born. I remember her checking the house when they were out of town at their homes in Florida or Michigan. The last time I remember my mother serving this family (more like setting out food already cooked by someone else) it was for the repass after the funeral of the family’s patriarch. There were a lot of Bloody Mary’s, beautifully plated food, German Chocolate cake, and chatter. I was there to help my mom but was more like the little girl everyone thought was cute. My mom didn’t wear a uniform and you would think she was a part of the family, not an employee. But she was.
I’m sure these aprons from years ago were worn outside of working for rich families in Amberly Village, Hyde Park, or Indian Hill. I bet they were worn during holidays and special occasions where delectable food and drinks were served with love and enjoyed by all.
An apron is used for many things-- to protect a blouse from a spatter of gravy, to wipe the tears of a crying child, to gather clothes pins to hang laundry, or for a maid to look like a proper and presentable servant. Whatever it is used for, an apron carries history, memories, pain, love, pride, and courage.
Click links.below to learn more.
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