The Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, Massachusetts, as photographed by the Allen sisters, piloted an exciting new concept in displaying artifacts when it opened in 1880: the period room. The original plan for Memorial Hall called for an “Old Bedroom.” The founders wished to emphasize to visitors the contrast between the pre-industrial past and the modern age. They were therefore comfortable including pre-industrial objects of different periods, such as 19th century braided rugs and ceramics, alongside early 18th century artifacts.