Discover The Hidden Portals In Old Homes That Are Stirring Up Nostalgia Across The Nation!
July 17, 2024
source: Flickr
In the heart of an older neighborhood, where the houses boast the architectural charm of a bygone era, a curious remnant of the past often goes unnoticed: Also there is the old coal chute cover. These metal or sometimes wooden doors, usually located on the exterior walls near foundation of old houses, are rather interesting relics from the time when coal was the dominant means of heating homes and businesses.
In the last half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, coal was the main source of home heating. Some structures that were evident in the past include coal chutes where coal to be used at home was brought directly into a house through the basement. This method was not only convenient but also limited the spreading of coal dust in to the other rooms in the house. The coal chute cover played a very important part in this configuration because as an airtight closure which protected the coal from moisture and other environmental factors while at the same time it protected the chute from any form of intrusion by pests or any other foreign matter.
Coal chute covers were usually made of materials that can easily endure the elements and frequent usage such as cast iron. These covers were often embellished with complicated patterns, company logos, or basic shapes, which showcased the focus on beauty and quality of the given period even for the pieces with practical purposes. Currently, these covers are valued for their old world appeal and the industrial look, which is why they are sought after by antique collectors and advocates of historical preservation.
When coal heating was no longer popular due to the introduction of new and better heating systems, some coal chutes were closed off; however, the doors and covers to these chutes still exist and are incorporated in the structures of various old buildings. These remnants of the coal age have become relics that remind people of how life used to revolve around coal coming into people’s homes and the use of coal stoves for heating.
For those who are the keepers of properties which have these old coal chute covers, then you have a great chance to give it a new function. Some people prefer to repair and preserve these covers to use them as ornaments and add them to the garden as old-fashioned items. Some may transform them into other forms of furniture or decoration others may turn them into other forms of art to give them a new lease of life while still retaining their originality.
In the midst of the fast-paced human life where people prefer convenience over tradition, the coal chute cover is a beautiful hold on tradition that makes people stop and think about the past and its challenges. No matter if you consider them as artworks or historical pieces, these covers reflect the image of an industrial age that defines today’s comfort and stand as a link between the past and the present. Thus, through the preservation and honoring of these items, the history of the past is still told and people of the following generations can still have a grasp of it.