What a find! Are you sure you want to leave it outside or is there a way to protect it from the elements? So many memories just looking at it.

It's going to make a great "flower bed." :)

Didn't realize how blurry the 2nd pic is. Need to delete and take another. Yes it needs to be outside. It is very very rusty but then that is OK....it is like my wrinkles...I earned them all. It is going to be so filled with memories and flowers by Summer's end.

Having looked up the symbol it may be from the Revolutionary War era...I think time has had it's way and it will be OK. c

Here are a couple pics of the bed and the garden area and the table cloths .

What a find! Although, I have to admit, I would have that thing sandblasted and find some place for it inside the house because I think it is so unique.

I live in Charleston, SC and we have been listening to cannon fire for the last couple of days. There have been several Civil War memorials around here this week. Yesterday I watched reenactors fire the first shot of the Civil War, which was fired from Ft. Johnson (practically my back yard) to Ft. Sumter (out in the middle of the harbor.

BTW, I LOVE your vintage tablecloths.

st: I could do that but have no place for it. The person who had it intended it to be a daybed in her DH's study. He didn't want it even though he is a real history buff...go figure. I am glad it has a good home now.

I read all about the re-enactors in the newspaper today. We have a friend at church who participates in all of those so I suppose he was there. It must really be something. Can't imagine living so close you can hear it! I love the tablecloths too. Momma had a lot and now I have added 6 more. I have some of her old aprons too. Nice to connect to the past. c

How lucky you are. I have several ancestors who served in the civil war, including my ggggrandfather who died in 1862 during the war. I've read his muster roll, which is fascinating, and brings him very much alive for me.

Also, beautiful garden.
Dee

You know me and my vintage stuff, I absolutely LOVE your table cloths! I have a couple and I'd love to actually put them on the DR table but they'd clash. :(

Hmmm. Come to think of it the yellow one you have at the bottom of the picture would look great in my DR! lol

I think I'm going to hit ebay and see what they have.

dee I had at least one ancestor that served but don't know anything about it. I tried looking up things but didn't have much luck. Great that you have so much info. My family was in Ohio but they started out in Illinois and Kentucky. I am glad you like the garden...it still needs a lot of work in that area but it will go faster now that I have a plan.

oakley...check Etsy instead...there are some really nice ones on there. If you send me an idea of the colors you want this gal has huge plastic tubs of them that she collected and they are all clean and pressed...all $10 a piece....I would be glad to help you..c

Mine doesn't have the sentimental value that this one would have but I bought a full size iron bed last summer and set it up on the patio. It came with the original metal springs! My dh thought I was absolutely nuts btw! I then proceeded to cover the springs with a tarp and then put a cheap blow up mattress on top of that. I purchased some inexpensive bed coverings that matches the outdoor theme of my home and voila we have an outdoor bed that will allow us to pile up and read a book together or just enjoy the sunshine. He no longer thinks I'm nuts about it!

Alicia

Great find Trailrunner, I would love it on my deck
for summer day naps...

Alicia...did you post pics ??? I sure would love to see it. I think I remember you asking about using it outdoors and what kind of mattress would be weather worthy. PLease do post pics.

Joann if you look around at salvage places there are a lot of old beds with springs intact. 2 of these old chairs have the hand tied springs that I am going to restore the rope. I am glad you like it. c

Oh wow! What an awesome bed with an even more awesome history. I am so going to have to check out our local selvage place one of these days.
I can't wait to see your bed all filled with lovely flowers. Have you thought about using red, white and blue flowers planted like the flag during the civil war with 36 white flowers in the union?
Your table linens are so pretty.

That bed is seriously amazing. I would also try to find a way to restore it and bring it inside.

just: I am pretty sure it will be flowers with purple in them :) Depends on what they have at the annual plant sale on Sunday. It benefits our local food bank and it is where I get most of my plants. Doing good all the way around. I am glad you like the cloths. Momma would be glad I am using them.

htnspz: I wish I could but I really have no where for it to go. Frame is bent so I would have to have my welder friend straighten it. Then it would need to be sandblasted. I had one of those here last week to do the bricks...too bad I didn't have the bed then. It will still be beautiful. c

Here is a link that might be useful: This bed was auctioned

Oh, my. I have a few goosebumps after reading your story, C! Sounds as though this old bed was meant to come your way, and I absolutely love your idea for filling it with wildflowers. That somehow speaks of renewal and hope in an imperfect world in which there's been a lot of heartache.

I just love, love, love all of your decor.

Jen, thank you . so many have " seen" what I was trying to do. I hoped it spoke of exactly that and not the conflict itself or all the discord that surrounded/still surrounds these issues. If more folks would " tend their garden" there would be a lot less strife and heartache. You are so sweet....c

I'm looking forward to seeing it filled with flowers of any color! Our local thrift store supports our local pantry. It's my favorite thrift store anyway, but it's nice to know when I shop or donate there I'm helping feed the less fortunate too.

incredible find!!!!!

just : They raise about 15K every year. This was 11th year. Every year the crowds are bigger. I got 37 plants for $89 so a great deal All in the ground already. I think I am going to wait till Fall to fill it. I am thinking bulbs and iris and a couple clemmies and a climbing rose.

thanks christine !

trailrunner - what a wonderfully creative idea! That bed was meant to be yours, for sure. I hope you'll post pictures when the flowers get growing!

thank you jan! I sure will post a pic...you know it will have a lot of purple :)