Figure 1: Beer or Root Beer Stoneware Salt-Glazed Bottle From Seneca Village, artifact found at the Wilson’s family home. Source:NYC Archaeological Repository.
A Drink Into the Past
Nailah Jahangir
Seneca Village was home to African Americans trying to build a community and integrate into society. These families led typical lives and partook in normal activities. One of these activities was drinking alcohol. In the home of the Wilson family, a salt-glazed stoneware beer or root beer bottle was found. This bottle provides a passage into the 19th century production of kitchen items and drinking culture. Alcohol consumption is a major part of city life today, which began in the 18th century and was solidified in the 1800’s. Methods and materials of production for beverage bottles had also evolved during this time. The story of this artifact connects today’s city to the forgotten past and the city’s everchanging history.