The History and Usage of the 18th Century Sedan Chair

The History and Usage of the 18th Century Sedan Chair

Learning Objectives

• Understand the historical context and usage of the 18th Century Sedan Chair
• Explain how the chairmen operated and the cost of using the service
• Understand the significance of the chair to the Marine Commandants and its journey to the museum

What do you already know about the 18th Century Sedan Chair?

The Design and Purpose

• Sedan Chair: A type of transport used in the 18th century where passengers were carried in a chair by two people known as chairmen
• The chair was used to maintain passenger's clothing cleanliness
• Carried by two strong chairmen

The Role of Chairmen and Cost

• Chairmen: The individuals who were tasked with carrying the sedan chair
• The chair could be hired like today's taxis, with pricing varying based on time and duration

Use by Marine Commandants

• Marine Commandants: High-ranking officers in the Marine Corps who used the sedan chair for transport
• The chair was used by Marine Commandants in Chatham, carried by two marines
• The chair is of particular interest because it is a civilian type and was later used for ceremonial purposes

Journey to the Museum

• The chair was donated to the museum in 1975
• It has been carefully restored and preserved

Definitions

• Sedan Chair: A type of transport used in the 18th century where passengers were carried in a chair by two people known as chairmen
• Chairmen: The individuals who were tasked with carrying the sedan chair
• Marine Commandants: High-ranking officers in the Marine Corps who used the sedan chair for transport

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

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Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

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Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.