In the year 2000, Logan Ward and his wife, Heather, decided to leave behind their busy life in New York City and see what it was like to live one hundred years ago. This work of non-fiction is Logan Ward’s story of what he and his family experienced during this year-long experiment.
The Idea of Living in the Past
Logan Ward and his wife – constantly tied to computers by their jobs, spending their evenings ordering take-out and daily leaving their baby, first, in the care of a nanny, later in daycare – wanted a change. The idea of going back a hundred years became more and more appealing as they battled the frantic pace of their city existence. Could they do it? Could they give up their computers, cell phones, television, take-out menus, dependency on grocery stores and all the trappings of modern life? They believed they could.
By October 2001, the Manhattan skyline was a fading outline in their rearview mirror. The Wards were headed to Virginia to buy a farm and live out the experiment they dreamed of.
The Farm
After looking for several weeks, the family finally settled on a farm in Swoope, Virginia, a small community in the Shenandoah Valley area. The farmhouse, built in 1885 met the criteria for the test they were about to put themselves through. After several months of renovating, including removing many modern conveniences, such as electricity and running water, the Wards were ready to begin their journey back in time.
Journey to 1900 Begins
In June 2000, the Wards disconnected their electricity, said goodbye to their telephones and changed their lives forever.
Turning to a century left behind found Logan and his family lighting their home with kerosene lamps, tramping outside to the outhouse when nature called, pumping water with a hand pump, cooking on a woodstove, milking goats, and learning to do chores, such as laundry, by hand. By turning their backs on the modern conveniences, that we, as a society take for granted, the Wards effectively stepped into their grandparent’s shoes.
Learning From the Past
The Ward’s found that there are many lessons to be learned that do not involve modern conveniences. When they have problems, their neighbors come to the rescue with advice, as well as items and tools from another century to help the family reach their goal.
Through trials, failures, laughter and tears, Logan, Heather and their two-year old son, Luther, learn the importance of love and family, as well as the value of hard work and support from the local community.
Sources:
- See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten American, by Logan Ward. Dallas, Texas: Benbella Books, Inc, 2007. ISBN: 1-933771-15-1.
Mary Briggs - I am a wife and mom. We live in the mountains in a home we built ourselves. I enjoy writing both fiction and non-fiction. I am also a ...
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