Stan Hywet and Hale Farm

Lienne Sethna's Journal Response

The tour through Stan Hywet was an interesting way to look at how a wealthy family would live in the early 1900s. It surprised me to find that it wasn't as easy as it would seem to own a large manor house with the best modern conveniences of it's time. The Seiberlings were the hosts of many guests and had to prepare for each one's needs and make sure they were accommodated well. I think that it would be easier to live in those times because you didn't have to try to impress your guests. The Seiberlings tried not to show off by hiding away their technology like the telephones and baggage elevator. Having such a huge plot of land could be a challenge to the owners because they would have to worry about hiring enough staff to keep the area well maintained.

Walking around Hale Farm gave me insight to how common people would have lived without the comforts we have today. The villagers who dressed in costume and told their story were a good way for me to understand how their lives depended on things we don't think that much about, like how the weather will affect the vegetables they've planted. One way life was easier in that time was the way people were dependent on themselves and their neighbors. This could be good because everyone in the village would have a strong relationship with each other. Living in this time could also be hard because if there was a bad season and the crops were bad, it would be hard for the everyone to get food.

All in all, the trip to Stan Hywet and Hale Farm was a good way to learn about the history in Cuyahoga Valley.