Timeless Cedar Hope Chest
Nothing speaks of sentimental style more than a beautiful chest. There is something special about giving or receiving these chests and not only will you be able to give them something useful, you’ll also be able to give them a gift that is traditionally associated with good feelings and warmth.
A sturdy wooden chest, like one made of cedar, has always served the function of keeping valuable articles safe. Throughout history, migrating families have always brought these trunks across borders and oceans as they settled in new lands. The requisite locks kept their things safe, and the drawers or miniature boxes held smaller precious items like silverware or jewelry.
In later centuries, and predominantly in American families, wooden chest becomes the gift for a marriage. The girl will receive the wooden chest from her mother and all the things she needed for maried will be put into the chest. Until the 1950s, married life was the only ideal path for proper American women. Assembling a hope chest was part of a girl’s careful and ritual-filled journey towards that most important event in her life.
And when she finally embarks on married life, the chest becomes emptied out as she starts to take care of her new home and growing family. Over time the chest becomes filled again, as she places into it the new memories and keepsakes she has accumulated with her husband and children. Eventually she will pass down this memory-filled artifact to her own daughter, and the cycle of hope-building will begin all over again.
Most of the chests are not longer made out of cherry or oak any more. Majority are made out of cedar because cedar has the ability to repel moth. The wooden chests usually have decoration or craving that represent one’s family culture or origins. These signs or decorations are meant to project the proud owner of the box back in those days.
During World War II, a former ammunition-box manufacturer in America became the foremost producer of the cedar chest, advertising greatly its value of storing memories and promises for the women whose loved one was away and fighting in the war. Since then, the cedar chest has been viewed as the perseverance of a piece of true Americana.
Despite the radical differences in circumstances, the cedar chest remains an indispensible component of the American family’s home. Nowadays these chests are used primarily as classic home decorating pieces. A chest adds an air of warmth and personality to a bedroom or living room. Usually regarded as antiques, they lend a lived-in feel to the space.
But more than using them as pretty displays, it might be a wonderful project to revive the significance of these treasure boxes, and gain new ways to preserve family memories and history. Aside from that, the cedar chest are being used to store things that meant to be passed down to future generation. When Heirlooms or mementos that are meant to pass down from generation to generation have no better place to be kept than the cedar chests. If you do notice, as the chest been passed down, the value of the chest will increase, possibly a rival to the Egyptian’s treasure boxes.
A chest opens up to reveal a pile of valuable things and memories, but it has its uses as solid closed box, too. In bedrooms, wooden chests are usually placed at the foot of the bed to serve as pillow rests or as an impromptu bench. There are times a closed flat-lid chest are being used as small coffee table in the lounge or living hall. As you can see, how you can use the chest can be limitless.
The bigger chest can be used to store those rarely-used clothes or linens in it. For instances, those seasonal clothes like sweaters can be stored inside until winter comes around. It can be also good storage place for the children to have their toys stored inside. It can serve as a memory for them when they grow up.
Speaking of the memory box we mentioned earlier on, baby clothes, first items like baseball gloves, dolls, or letters are things which can be considered for that reason. When children grow up, they will enjoy reliving special moments every time they open the chest. A memory box then becomes a tactile and extraordinary three-dimensional scrapbook of sorts. The contents and value of this chest can change along with the child as they both gain years. Eventually a child can bring a cedar chest along to his or her new home, as a reminder of childhood and history.
There are more than just holding the memories in the chest alone. It can used to be a storage place that presents the specialize skills that run in the family. For instance, the secret recipe can be stored in the family, only allowing the family members to have assess to it alone only. Generally, the items that represents one’s family skill are to be stored inside the chest.
Children have always enjoyed “discovering” treasures, in whatever form it comes in. When a child is presented with a hope chest, he or she will certainly feel that spark of amazement and wonder when the lid is opened and its contents are revealed to him or her for the first time. A child will be honored to be the next keeper of a chest that he or she remembers from the past. When a parent or elder relative shows great consideration for taking care of preserving memories and heirlooms, the younger ones are definite to follow suit.
The modern world is a fast-paced one. Thanks to technology and advancements in science and exploration, everything happens faster than ever, and people tend to place a premium on getting things quicker, cheaper, and easier. News around the world can be received within seconds. Food can be microwaved and cooked within minutes And because our tools and machines are also always being updated, the mentality is always to discard the old and traditional to give way to the new and more efficient. Material things have almost ceased to have meaning attached to them, save for the function that they serve.
The trend now is to rediscover history, to return to roots in order to be certain of identity and to gain a sense of personal pride. Wooden chests, and the ritual of keeping things inside them, have a strong presence through the line of tradition.
The cedar chest is the perfect chest to have all the family valuables to stored it. This could be a good constant reminder of the pasts for the younger generation. It is up to the owner of the chest to define the value of the chest. If the owner just simply utilize it to keep some normal items, then it will not be as valuable as a chest contain a family histories and secrets.
Hope is what motivated countless of people to stay alive and should not be lost in this modern society nowadays. Even so, hope should be passed down to the younger generation, reminding them not to give up in life. The treasures that are put into a hope chest are meant to preserve important memories, be inherited by future generations, outlast lifetimes, and create legacies.
About the Author
Joey is a part-time woodworker, a substitute teacher and a lover of fine dining!
You can find many of his favorite chests at amish cedar chest.
Building a Cedar Chest
|
|
Southwestern Style Cherry Finish Cedar Wood Chest with Carved Floral Accent $179.00 This Cherry Cedar Chest from Coaster (model 4694) is the perfect addition to any bedroom adding storage and security. This storage chest from Coaster is finished in a rich cherry and features a locking storage lid, accent carving, and plenty of storage space.This storage cedar chest from Coaster is usuallyin stock and ships at no additional cost to you. See additional features below.Coaster Cherry… |
|
|
Padded Pine Finish Floral Cedar Hope Chest Trunk Lock $204.42 Add this Pine Cedar Chest from Coaster with Cushion to an entryway or bedroom for a comfortable bench with storage. This cedar bench chest is finished in a rich pine and features a painted accent of flowers.This Cedar BenchChest from Coaster is usuallyin stock and ships at no additional cost to you. See additional features below.Coaster 4696 Pine Cedar Chest with Cushion Features:Pine FinishPainte… |
|
|
Cedar Delite HLFND430X590-LC Hemlock Two Drawer Chest Nightstand, $105.87 Finish:Clear Interior Lacquer Hemlock Two Drawer Chest Nightstand Hemlock Two-Drawer Chest handcrafted with the finest Canadian Pacific Hemlock. Simple yet an elegant and versatile design. Assembles in minutes without any tools and minimal maintenance required. Decorate with other chairs and benches to make a fashionable set. All of Cedar Delite’s products come from sustainable forests of Britis… |
|
|
Mama’s Cedar Chest (In The Style Of Diana Murrell) [Performance Track With Demonstration Vocals] $0.99 … |
|
|
Rubbermaid 3F23 Configurations Three-Handle Storage Chest With Cedar Inserts, Natural $10.99 Product FeaturesSoft-case storage chest with three handles for easy access and transportCedar inserts for stable, long-term storageEasy to clean, stain resistant liningNeutral design for any home décor placementDimensions: 24″ long by 13.25″ wide by 10″ high Product DescriptionMultiple handles for access from various sides make this handy chest the ultimate storage unit for off-season clothes. … |
|
|
Rubbermaid 3F19 Configurations XL 42-Inch Three-Handle Low-Profile Box with Cedar Inserts, Natural $14.97 Great for travel or general clothing storage, a soft but rigid box with a low profile design lets this unit slide easily under beds to take advantage of space under there. It also stands up in the back of the closet without taking much space. Three handles let you carry it vertically or horizontally-a nice feature when you’re stuck in a crowded airport lines. Cedar inserts ensure stable, long-term… |
|
|
Suncast Storage Box $43.97 Innovative And Functional Style The neat coordinated look and clean lines of Suncast outdoor storage boxes make them a great addition to any yard, deck, or patio. All boxes are made from durable, maintenance free resin that will not rust or fade. Features: 22 gallon capacity For indoor and outdoor use Holds yard and garden supplies Holds driveway salt, scrapers, boots, hats, gloves, etc Durable re… |
|
|
Cedar Oil $17.53 Natural oil made from 100% aromatic eastern red cedar. Prolongs and restores the aroma of eastern red cedar products. Can be applied to either solid wood or flakeboard cedar closet liner products. Contains no additional chemicals or scents. Fully distilled in U.S. facility. 8 oz. renews approximately 300 sq. ft. of cedar closet lining. Great companion product for selling with other cedar closet pr… |
|
|
16 Ounce Virginiana Cedarwood Oil (Juniperus Virginiana) $32.59 Virginiana Cedarwood Oil is a naturally occurring oil within the Eastern Red Cedar. Red Cedar is known for its environmentally friendly insect repellency. Applications of this oil to unfinished Red Cedar will reinvigorate the aromatic presence of the wood…. |
|
|
32 Ounce Virginiana Cedarwood Oil (Juniperus Virginiana) $59.49 Virginiana Cedarwood Oil is an all natural by-product of the Juniper known as Eastern Red Cedar. Red Cedar has been used originally by Native American Tribes for its insect repellency. In this time of concern, for a healthier environment, cedar closets and chests are enjoying a resurgency. The Cedarwood Oil is applied to Red Cedar surfaces and allowed to penetrate and dry. Candle and soap makers u… |
|
|
Cedar ‘Illusion’ Jewelry Chest (Peru) $66.99 Antonio Rojas evokes antique elegance in this jewelry chestCedar chest is crafted and painted by handPractical jewelry box is made in Peru |
