Hopechests

The word chest literally means ‘a place to keep things’, while hope is a feeling, a perception of how things should be in the future. Hence, hopechest roughly translates into ‘a place to store your hopes for the future’. Hopechests date back as far into time as furniture, and even farther if you look at early humans, who upon marrying into another tribe would take with them gifts and items they had gathered in baskets, in anticipation of just such an event. Some may ask if boys had similar items, and as far as I can determine, the answer is no. Hopechests were made for girls.

Folk art dating back to the Middle Ages offers prime examples of what comes foremost to mind when thinking of modern day hopechests. Elaborate chests were decorated with carvings and painting for the brides to fill with their possessions, and for use in their new homes. This tradition has survived into modern times. Many companies’ market wooden chests specifically called Hopechests. Homemade chests are common, and many small craftspeople make and sell chests for this purpose.

Cedar is the top choice. It offers natural protection from moths, the leading cause of damage to stored linens and woolens. Other woods can be used, such as pine, cherry, or even maple, but these should then be lined with cedar for the best protection of your valuables. If you do store linens or other fabric, bags specifically made for the storage of these items can be purchased, and are an excellent way to make sure these irreplaceable treasures are protected.

Style and Design

Styles are as varied as the future owners are. Some are flat bottomed and some have feet. Finishes can be plain or decorated with Folk Art or other designs. Stain color can be light to dark, or even painted a solid color. Small, inner drawers for items such as jewelry are nice touches. Others have large, removable trays, to help keep clutter under control. This is the one piece of furniture, which will most likely stay with you throughout your life. Keep this in mind as you decide on the design and style. For this reason alone, many people choose a simpler design.

Availability and Features Today

Many companies today make and sell chests specifically for use as hopechests. Another term used today is the ‘Marriage or Wedding Chest’. Besides storage of items before the wedding, these offer a place to hold your wedding day treasures to be preserved for a future generation. One well-crafted chest I saw even had a plaque on the inside to be inscribed with the marriage details.

When should a Hopechest be Started?

When should a girl start her hopechest? After talking to several different women who actually had hopechests, the consensus seems to be the teenage years. Girls given one when they are younger tend to not use them as intended. When entering the teens, a girl often is starting to think of her future, whether this is thoughts of marriage or college, or even an apartment on their own.

What Should Be Stored in a Hopechest?

Linens

Embroidery

(Tablecloths, runners, hankies, sampler)

Crystal

China

Wedding dress

Veil

Garter

Christening gown

Baby shoes

Photo albums

Jewelry

Anything with sentimental value

Crocheted doilies

You can see from the list above, that the items are varied, and keep in mind this is not a perfect lists. Keep in mind as you decide what to fill your hopechest with, which items will be, things that have personal meaning to you. Maybe your Grandmother saved the veil from her wedding and has passed it onto you. Items that you have put hours into embroidering are also perfect examples of what to keep. Anyone that has done any type of needlework knows the hours put into even a simple pillowcase edging. After all that work, storing it in a hopechest is the perfect way to know you have taken the steps necessary to preserve it for your future.

What Should Not be Stored

Things that can be purchased anywhere, have no sentimental value, would take up too much room, etc., should ‘not’, be stored in a hopechest. Electronics, such as mixers, coffeepots, and other kitchen gadgets should not be. Day to day items like inexpensive dishrags and scrubbers are all items that would take up room better used by other items. Also, items like soap or other cleaners are an absolute no-no, as they could spill or leak, causing damage to other contents of the chest.

Whatever you end up keeping in your hopechest, or if you give one to a daughter or granddaughter as a gift, know that you are helping to preserve your family’s history.