Poking around the WH website, I came across a photo of Barney on the south lawn next to what is described as a "drainage ditch." I recognized this from the HABS collection as almost certainly the Andrew Jackson "milk trough" and felt superior for a moment before realizing that I have no idea what that is either.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Idle curiosity
Poking around the WH website, I came across a photo of Barney on the south lawn next to what is described as a "drainage ditch." I recognized this from the HABS collection as almost certainly the Andrew Jackson "milk trough" and felt superior for a moment before realizing that I have no idea what that is either.
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It's obvious that it is the drinking fountain for First Dogs and First Cats and First Ponies, when in residence.
ReplyDeleteHey, there's a dog by that... water thing...
ReplyDeleteOh sure, you're all bow ties and beanies when it comes to who put what mantel in which room with whose grandma's chandelier, but toss in a "milk trough" and nobody has any answers.
ReplyDeleteWell the best I could find out quickly about milk troughs is, they were used to cool, and keep cool the milk after milking. It would also aid in the seperation of the cream. This was obvioulsy in the days before 'ol Louis Pasteur. Explains how so many people died of "milk sickness" back then.
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