Outhouses at Cobblestone Museum will be featured on May 17 tour

Provided photos: (left) Docent Gerard Morrisey describes the outhouse at the Cobblestone Museum which belonged to former Georgia governor Rufus Bullock. (Right) This Federal style outhouse from 1830 is the oldest building in the Cobblestone Museum complex, and will be one of those featured in the first tour of the season – “Privies: From Primitive to Pretentious – An Outhouse and In-House Tour,” led by former Cobblestone Museum director Bill Lattin.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will open its 2025 with its first tour, entitled “Privies: From Primitive to Pretentious – An Outhouse and In-House Tour.”

Former Cobblestone Museum director for 40 years, C.W. “Bill” Lattin, will lead this unique tour on May 17.

The Museum has a number of outhouses associated with the buildings in its complex, each with a different interesting, and sometimes humorous, feature.

“This fun and entertaining trip around the Cobblestone National Historic Landmark District will include eight often overlooked buildings,” said director Doug Farley. “The ‘potty tour’ includes each of the Cobblestone Museum historic outhouses, indoor commodes and much more.”

Farley explained the oldest building on the Cobblestone Museum property is actually an outhouse, built in the Federal style in 1830. It was originally used at the first bank built in Orleans County, located at the corner of New York state routes 279 and 104.

Another historic outhouse was once situated on the property of Governor Rufus Bullock, governor of Georgia following the Civil War. The Bullock family had strong local ties, according to Farley, and Gov. Bullock lived in Albion after his retirement. When he died, he was buried in Mount Albion in 1907.

(Left) This water closet in the c.1834 Universalist Church lobby was for men only. (Center) This Eastlake style outhouse has decorative siding and a bench, perhaps to sit and wait one’s turn. (Right) The interior of the Eastlake outhouse, situated at the Museum’s Print Shop, has interior paneling.

The Cobblestone Museum’s Farmers’ Hall has a Greek Revival outhouse that seats five.

“It’s really remarkable, with plastered walls and wallpaper,” Farley said.

Also featured on the tour will be the outhouse at the Museum’s Print Shop, in an Eastlake style with interior paneling. A water closet in the 1834 Universalist Church lobby was for men only. The adjacent cobblestone parsonage has an assortment of chamber pots. At the Cobblestone School, separate outhouses were available for boys and girls.

The “Potty Tour” will also include a short slide show of Victorian novelties which depict the era’s “naughty” sense of “bathroom humor.”

The tour is scheduled for 2 p.m., rain or shine. Farley reminds participants to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and “Be sure to bring your sense of humor,” he said.

Reservations for this unusual tour are strongly suggested. A sliding scale “pay what you wish” donation will be gladly received. Reservations may be made online at cobblestonemuseum.org or by calling (585) 589-9013.