I recorded the Ross Schoolhouse on the Ozark forest back in the early
1990s.  Used as a school up into the 1930s.  There were NO privies
(outhouses).  The girls went into the woods on one side and the boys on the
other.  The building was also used for local functions such as dances.  Same
rules applied.  Often the boys brought along their rifles or shotguns to
school in case they spotted any edible game on the way home.

Smoke

On Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 4:58 PM, Jim Gibb <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Fellow HistArchers and John:
> Virtually all schoolhouses had privies, typically separate accommodations
> for boys and girls. School literature of the 19th century recommended
> screening boys privies from those assigned to girls, often a fuel shed or
> fence providing separation. I have heard two or more conference papers on
> the contents of such privies, but haven't seen anything in print yet.
>
> On a related note, the University of Alabama Press will publish The
> Archaeology of Institutional Life, April Beisaw and myself as editors, later
> this year. Stay tuned.
>
> Jim Gibb
>
> --
> Gibb Archaeological Consulting
> James G. Gibb, Ph.D.
> 2554 Carrollton Road
> Annapolis, Maryland 21403
> (443) 482-9593
> www.gibbarchaeology.org
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "John M. Foster" <[log in to unmask]>
>
> > I'm working on a ca. 1870 courthouse. It has two privies which have
> > contemporary artifacts. The larger privy is 8 x 8 feet and the smaller
> is 4 x 8
> > feet.
> > They are separated by 8 feet. I have two questions for the list:
> >
> > 1. has anyone been able to find historical references to construction of
> male
> > AND female privies for a public institution?
> >
> > 2. Has anyone excavated male and female privies in a institutional
> framework?
> > Or in any other context?
> >
>  > The artifacts we recovered were lost in use and not as a result of a
> "filling
> > in process." I will remain silent on the artifact list until I see some
> more
> > references.
> >
> > Any comments would be appreciated.
> >
> > John Foster, RPA
> >
> >
> >
> > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel
> Guides.
> > (
> http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016
> )
>



-- 
Smoke Pfeiffer

Remember: When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!