Details in Delaware: Oil cloth
“Details in Delaware” is a history-informed collaboration between Kara A. Briggs, an architectural historian with the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) State Historic Preservation Office, and Desiree May, HCA’s social media lead, to bring some interesting Delaware history facts and preservation information to the forefront.
The idea is to showcase the diversity of what HCA does while also highlighting unique architectural features and landmarks to educate the public. Check out more interesting details like these by visiting HCA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Details in Delaware: Oil cloth
Oil cloth, also known as “floor cloth,” was a decorative floor covering first used in the 18th century and maintained popularity through the early 20th century. Pattern and design examples ranged in a wide variety of styles from bright geometric patterns to floral motifs. Some of the earliest oil cloth examples mimicked other flooring surfaces like parquet, tile or marble. Oil cloths varied in size and served multiple purposes such as protecting floors and expensive carpets, decorating a room and assisting in insulating a space.
“Detailed” below is a sampling of oil cloths found in properties throughout Delaware.
