The Middleton Place Privy House An Archeological View of Nineteenth Century Plantation Life

"The Middleton Place Privy House" by Helen Haskell is a historical exploration that uses objects unearthed from a plantation's outhouse to reveal the day-to-day experiences on a 19th-century South Carolina plantation. Written in the 1980s, the book uses archaeological discoveries from Middleton Place to explore the lives and material possessions of those who resided there. By studying items like pottery, glass, and bottles, Haskell creates a picture of the era’s social structure and finances. The narrative illustrates how modifications in production methods and consumerism are mirrored in the objects left behind, giving readers a glimpse into the lives of the Middleton family and providing a deeper understanding of the intricacies within historical plantation communities.