Birthplace Cottage Bedroom

A reproduction of Herbert Hoover's cradle is on display in the crowded bedroom.

NPS Photo/John Eicher

Quick Facts

Location:

West Branch, Iowa

Significance:

Part of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Amenities

1 listed

Audio Description

Cradle

The cradle in the bedroom is a replica of the original cradle made by Jesse Hoover. The original, sold after Hulda Hoover’s death, was found in a West Branch barn sometime in the 1930s and eventually returned to the Hoover family. It is displayed at the Visitor Center.

Bed & Trundle

At night the Hoovers pulled out the trundle from underneath their parents’ four-poster bed. As a toddler young Herbert shared the trundle with his older brother Tad while his baby sister slept in the cradle. Patchwork quilts and wool bedspreads kept the family warm after the woodstove’s fire died out in the middle of the night.

Dresser

The dresser in the corner is very similar to one Hulda received as a wedding gift from her mother. Made by Herbert Hoover's great uncle, a cabinet-maker in Detroit, the drawers were once filled with household linens.

Sewing Machine

The sewing machine is not original to the Hoover family, but is a reminder of Jesse’s growing success as a businessman, and how he provided for the needs of his wife and family. A sewing basket filled with needles and thread was always within Hulda’s reach.

Carpet

Rag rugs like the one in the cottage covered the floors. The Hoovers kept old clothes and cloth scraps. They cut them into strips and wound them into balls until they accumulated enough for Herbert's grandmother to weave into rugs. Hulda sewed the sections together and tacked them to the floor. By putting layers of old newspapers underneath and fitting the rugs snugly against the walls, the floors would stay warmer in the winter.

• Bedroom Furnishings

  
  

  Decorative patchwork quilts, along with wool bedspreads woven on family looms, kept everyone warm when the woodstove’s fire died out in the middle of the night.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS

  Date created:

  06/22/2010

  Audio Transcript

  On September 1, 1876, this cottage became home to five people with the birth of a baby girl. Jesse Hoover built young Mary a graceful walnut cradle, and Hulda rocked her daughter to sleep in it, just like she had done for both Tad and Bertie. This cradle is a replica of that family treasure. The original, sold after Hulda’s death, was surprisingly found in a West Branch barn sometime in the 1930’s and eventually returned to the Hoover family. (music) Having long outgrown the rocking bed, 2-year old Herbert and his 5-year old brother, Tad shared a trundle bed, which was pulled out each night from underneath their parents’ four-poster. Do you think the ropes supporting the larger mattress made that bed a comfortable place to sleep? Decorative patchwork quilts, along with wool bedspreads woven on family looms, kept everyone warm when the woodstove’s fire died out in the middle of the night. The dresser in the corner is very similar in style to the one Grandmother Minthorn gave as wedding presents to each of her daughters, Hulda and Agnes. Made by Herbert Hoover's great uncle, a cabinet-maker in Detroit, the drawers were once filled with household linens. The sewing machine, while not original to the family, is a reminder of Jesse’s growing success as a businessman, and how he provided for the needs of his wife and family. (music) If you’re wondering about what is covering the floors of the cottage, they’re called “rag rugs.” American families in the 19th century practiced recycling long before we did. Because cloth goods were relatively scarce and expensive, they would take discarded family garments, cut them into long strips and weave them into sections that were sewn together. The colorful rug is similar to the ones Hulda’s mother made for the house in the 1870’s. By putting layers of old newspapers underneath and fitting the rugs snugly against the walls, the floors would stay warm all winter. As you exit, take a moment to look at the partially enclosed and covered areas at the rear of the cottage. They may have served several purposes over time, including a woodshed, storeroom, summer kitchen, and spare bedroom. It was here, in the dark of night on August 10, 1874, that blacksmith shop assistant, Elwood King was awakened to go and fetch the doctor. (sound effects: knock on door, footsteps running, newborn baby cry) Just before midnight, Herbert Clark Hoover was born.