Baroness Gösta von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen

What people wore

Everyday and Festive Rural Dress

While festive rural attire often included traditional pieces like buckled shoes, white stockings, and specific vests, ordinary people's everyday clothes were made of durable fabrics meant to be easily washed. Poorer children in particular sometimes had to go without shoes entirely.

Getting around

Example travel times and costs in 1902

In 1902, a journey of 157 kilometers from Bremen to Norden took 4 1/4 hours by express train at a cost of 12.70 Marks for first class, while a slower passenger train took 5 1/4 hours. These scheduled services offered passengers predictable and relatively affordable options for traveling between regional towns.

At the table

Alcohol Consumption Among Children

In many households, children drank beer as part of their daily diet, with some reports noting that even 12-year-olds consumed a glass of beer. In rural areas, children were sometimes given diluted wine, which was believed to help them grow and develop facial hair.

Music

Patriotic singing in schools

Patriotic songs were a central part of school life, with children learning martial songs and hymns like Heil dir im Siegerkranz to promote loyalty to the Kaiser and the nation.

Daily life

Crowded urban living conditions

Many urban families lived in crowded tenements called Mietskasernen, where up to six people often shared a single room that served as a kitchen, living area, and bedroom. Toilet facilities were typically located in the courtyard or on an intermediate floor.

What it cost

Household costs and coffee prices

At the turn of the century, a simple wooden chair cost around 3.75 Mark, which was less than the price of one kilogram of coffee at 4.15 Mark.