Home sweet home. What does the phrase really mean? Searching for the phrase “home sweet home” in Library of Congress’ photos, prints, and drawings will provide dozens of nineteenth century images similar to this one. Images such as this help students contrast idealized portrayals of the past to primary sources that represent the reality of daily life in the past. Contrasting ideals with reality is an important theme in Investigating Family, Food, and Housing Themes in Social Studies.
Currier & Ives. Home Sweet Home, hand-colored lithograph, c. 1856-1907. (Courtesy of Library of Congress)