Looking for smoke houses

Wayne County Historical Society is collecting pictures of smoke houses to be included in a photo essay on the subject.

Usually a square or rectangular structure, the smoke house had a door for entrance into the smoke chamber and openings for the fire and ash pit and side vents for the smoke to escape. The smoldering fire located in the bottom of the chamber allowed the smoke to pass up and over the meats that were hung on a meat tree inside the building. Meats such as bacon, ham, bologna and sausage, after being cured, were smoked to give the meats a smoke flavor.

To have a smoke house included in this collection, call the Society at 946.4943 and the photographer will be in touch. All conditions of repair are acceptable but unsightly distractions should be removed from the area if possible.

The Society office is in the Old Jail Museum, 21 Butternut Street, Lyons, and is open Tuesday-Friday, 10-4. After July 8 the Museum will be open Monday- Friday, 10-4 and Saturday and Sunday noon to 4.

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