In today’s History Bit, we take a look at an uncomfortable, but necessary, facet of daily life for every Webster family in the days before plumbing and running water: outhouses.
Sometimes referred to as “the necessary,” outhouses weren’t too difficult to create; just dig a hole, build a little building over it and once in a while dump some chemicals in it or some dirt to cover it up. When it got full — which for a large family might have been once a year — making a new one was simply a matter of digging a new hole and moving the building.
Most outhouses actually sported more than one sit-spot, although both seats led to the same hole in the ground. They were also usually placed a distance away from the house, but not too far, balancing the issues of convenience and smell.
The Historic Properties Committee of the Webster Museum and Historical Society are trying to locate and photograph outhouses in our area which have stood the test of time. They’ve managed to track down several already, including one at the Dayton’s Corners School, another on Lake Rd. and one on Holt Rd. There are even a few rather unusual ones, including a round one on Maple Dr. and one on Hard Rd. that’s attached directly to the house. (Not quite indoor plumbing, but an improvement over the traditional design.)
If it was rainy or cold, of course, no one really wanted to brave the weather to use the outhouse. That’s when chamber pots came in handy. These were basically portable toilets, typically kept in the bedroom for use at night. Sometimes they were set into small chairs, but more often than not they were simple pots, made out of ceramic or metal, with a handle and lid. In the mornings, it was the children’s job to carry the pots to the outhouse and empty them.
If you have an outhouse in your back yard, or know someone who does, please let the Webster Museum know about it. Give them a call at 585-265-3308. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There’s no admission charge.
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(posted 11/12/2025)
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