#colonialsettlers

Here at American Blanket Company we make the finest fleece blankets available today. Blankets today are a household staple and can be found in many different materials: cotton, fleece, wool, silk, cashmere. This got us to thinking about how people store their blankets when not in use. 

If you turn your attention to the Colonial times, more often than not, the early Colonists did not have closets within their homes to store items. Attics were usually not easily accessible and basements proved to be damp. In its earliest form, the blanket box (or blanket chest) was a simple & basic piece of furniture. 

Often constructed of six boards with a hinged lid, the box would be made from pine or whatever wood was easily accessible. It could double as seating in the living space as well. The boxes would measure roughly 30″ high and four to five feet long. Dovetailed corners were a nice addition and provided strength to the overall structure of the box. Often the box was stored at the foot of the bed for convenience to access blankets during chilly nights. In the warmer months, winter clothing, linens and yes, blankets were stored within the blanket box.

As the styles evolved, more interesting wood species were introduced; walnut, cherry, mahogany and maple. Aromatic cedar linings gradually became an addition to the inside of boxes to prevent moths and pests from ruining blankets and linens.

Often these boxes were the sole possession of the early settlers. Antique blanket boxes are available plain with no paint or adornment, painted with milk paint or even with elaborate floral and foliage details. Collectors of blanket boxes search out unusual colors and patterns, even initials to indicate a family lineage. Over the years ditty boxes were added to the box in which to store small keepsakes. A lock and key were added to provide a measure of safety and privacy. Handles could be made from rope (often called beckets) and later metals (iron and brass were most common and more decorative). Drawers were often added to the base of the blanket box increasing the height and resulting in a larger piece of furniture overall.