While at Belle Grove this week I got a couple of photos of one of my favorite things there….a Nanny Bench Rocker. “Nanny rockers” (in some cases called “mammy rockers”) are benches that have a place for the caretaker to sit while the baby lies beside her. There is a slat in front of the baby portion to prevent the child from rolling off as he or she is rocked gently back and forth. Sometimes the slats are removable so the bench can be used by two people once it’s not needed for the baby.
True “nanny rockers” were most often made in the Windsor style and usually date to the first half of the 19th century. The one at Belle Grove is estimated around 1820. As luck had it there was a staff member with her baby there taking photos for their newsletter so I got a shot of how it really works. And in the last photo you see the placement of the rocker….often in front of the fireplace. Interesting things you’ll see at Belle Grove.
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