Bishop Hill: Bed 1936

Here is Alfred Koehn's "Bishop Hill: Bed," a watercolor and graphite rendering of a bed frame. Koehn, born in 1855, created this piece as part of the Index of American Design, a WPA program that documented American decorative arts and folk art. The bed itself speaks to the material culture of 19th-century America, reflecting both the relative simplicity and craftsmanship valued in certain communities, such as the Bishop Hill Colony, a Swedish religious community. It prompts us to consider how identity is shaped not only by grand historical narratives, but also by the objects that populate our daily lives. Consider what it would be like to sleep in this bed, the weight of the covers, the dreams one might have. Koehn’s drawing invites us to imagine the lives, labor, and beliefs of those who crafted and used such objects. It is a reminder that history is not just about dates and events, but also about the intimate stories embedded in the things we create and cherish.