“Bake Ovens”
October 27 and October 31 Segment
Historically bake ovens were found in many island houses. Bake ovens were built into the fireplace structure in the main portion of the house, in rear kitchen ells or in basement summer kitchens. The earliest ovens were placed on the rear wall of the fireplace while later ones were found to the side for easy access and safety. This location change helped reduce accidents when leaning across an open fire. Death by fire associated with cooking remained the second leading cause of death for women throughout the 18th century.