cooler
Object
Accession Number
983.543a-bDescription
A copper cooler with a earthenware interior, the body with a brass spigot, filler spout, and a removable lid.Narrative
This cooler was designed to be used in a kitchen and out of doors. The outer chamber could hold either chipped ice or hot water. This has lead to uncertainty as to whether this is a cooking stockpot or a cooler.The ceramic insert would be in peril of cracking if the object was placed on a hot stovetop without water in the reservoir, making it unlikely that this is a stockpot, notwithstanding its visual similarity to stockpots.
Hot water poured into the reservoir would help to keep beverages like hot chocolate warm.
When used as a cooler, the object's reservoir could be filled with chipped ice and the ceramic container filled with water, iced tea, lemonade, or punch. The object would be especially useful during garden parties, when food and beverages were being served far from the household kitchen.
Mrs. Robert Dunsmuir and her daughters sometimes hosted receptions on Craigdarroch's grounds and at Beacon Hill Park. There was a teahouse on Craigdarroch's grounds near the tennis courts where refreshments were served.1 Coolers like this example would be very useful at these events.
1. BC Archives MS-2786 Vol. 3, File 14. Letter from Gavin Burns to his wife Flora Burns (nee Macdonald):
"They had a band on the terrace at the top of the wall, and three tennis courts down towards the Ward's fence and archery and a charming summer house where refreshments were dispensed, but the principal refreshments were to be had in the dining room. The house was all thrown open and very handsome it is. The floors are all polished like glass and very slippery. Mrs. Dunsmuir fell on one of the floors a few days ago and is now walking with a stick."
