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After stuffing themselves with plates of spaghetti and meatballs, salads and bread, history lovers were all ears for what some might consider a less-than-appetizing after dinner discussion.
Amateur archaeologist Craig Pfannkuche presented “Excavating Grandma’s Privy for Family History Data” to a group of 90 on April 29 at the Patty Turner Senior Center. The Deerfield Historical Society sponsored the event.
Before Pfannkuche, a retired teacher from Crystal Lake, took the audience on a journey to some of the country’s most fascinating privies, also known as outhouses, via anecdotes and photos, he assured them: “I promise, I’m not crazy.”
Some might think that Pfannkuche’s interest in digging through outhouses is crazy. And, as he held up a chamber pot from the 1800s, he tried his hardest to hush the “yucks” and “ews” from the audience.
Accompanying Pfannkuche’s lively, yet bizarre lecture was a photo slideshow displaying artifacts found during privy excavations. Among some of the finds were dishes, clothing, chamber pots, old bottles and wallets ranging from 70 to 100 years ago.
He explained that not only has he found interesting artifacts from digging five feet beneath an outhouse, but he has learned a lot about different families’ lifestyles based on a variety of factors, including their waste, all of which he refers to as “treasures.”
Pfannkuche has dug up a variety of items such as bronze discs used as currency in brothels, a corset, a moustache bowl and fertility dolls in old privy holes, and was eager to share photos of his findings with the audience.
“We find these treasures in outhouse holes, they’re fantastic, marvelous treasures,” Pfannkuche said. “Your family’s treasures are still there. It’s important for people to understand, especially for historical societies, to find out about people and how they lived, with no records or documentation.”
The audience erupted in giggles as Pfannkuche showed photos of Abraham Lincoln’s privy, while he expressed his bewilderment that President Lincoln never flushed a toilet in his life. He also shared some of his personal experiences recently digging up his great-grandparents’ outhouse in Austin, Texas, which he said his great-grandfather built by hand and which is still standing today.
“My great-grandmother loved earrings and you know what I found during the dig?” he said, as a photograph of his great-grandmother was shown on the screen. “I found an earring. And, as I held it in my hand, there was a connection there. I knew she had once held this, next to her ear, looking in the mirror. And here I was holding it 110 years later.”
Judy Nelson, a longtime Deerfield resident, said she thought the program was very entertaining and informative.
“I’m old enough to remember outhouses,” Nelson said. “I thought his lecture was lovely, I think it’s something that could interest everyone. It’s a different kind of history lesson.”
Tony Longhini of Deerfield who attended with his wife, Fran said that though they mainly attended for the dinner, they were glad they stayed for Pfannkuche’s lecture.
“It was definitely different,” Tony Longhini said. “I’ve never heard of that kind of thing, but he kept it above the dirt level. We were impressed by his knowledge.”
Pfannkuche said he wants to encourage Deerfield residents to find out more about their ancestors and their town’s history.
“They’re all out there,” he said. “It’s the most exciting thing you can do.”
