What Happened To The Hope Chest?

Do you remember the Hope Chest?  Originally introduced in the old country not long after Columbus bumped into America, handcrafted boxes or trunks were created for girls to transport their dowry.  If… their downy didn’t consist of three chickens, a cow and a wagon.  Young ladies would collect items needed for married life (linens, clothing, quilts, etc.) also known as their trousseau, another out dated tradition, in hope of marrying one day. The Lane Company made pine ammunition boxes for use in WWI.  After the war production moved to making cedar chests but it was not until the 1920’s Lane began to advertise the products nationally as a “Hope Chest.”  The company’s tag line was: “The gift that starts the home.”

After the drama of a hostile takeover, bankruptcy and changing owners like a hot potato; Lane now rests in the hands of Furniture Brands International.  The chests are still available, however, the last Lane Cedar Hope Chest to be made in America is reported to have rolled off the line in 2001.   This is my Lane Cedar Chest, given to me by my mom when I graduated from college – my first piece of furniture.  Though not my normal style (drive a stake-through-my-heart dark brown oak) it has served me over the years as a coffee table, end table, bench at the end of the bed and always for prized sweaters. What constitutes a prized sweater?  These two little ones I wore as a toddler and the other is the thickest and warmest wool ski sweater knit by my great grandmother for my mom prior to my existence. My mom’s hope chest became our first toy-box when my brother and I were little.   These chests serve a multitude of purposes and were (still could be) a great leaving home gift.

Has giving a solid piece of furniture upon departure become irrelevant?

So what happened?  Was is the turmoil of a company which lost its message?  Or was it just the evolution of modern girl?  What happened to the tradition of the Hope Chest?   Did we toss this out right along with good manners?

Girls still have hopes, they still leave home, one can not carry valuables in technology.  Sheep haven’t left the pasture – we are still wearing plenty of wool and cashmere.  Hello, there is no better fortress for moth protection.  A gal still needs a piece of furniture when she leaves home and storage.

What are you thoughts?