When the U.S. suffers a National Catastrophic Event, chances are we as a nation would be thrust back into the 1800’s. For this reason we are gathering true accounts of life in the 1800 and early 1900’s. These accounts or excerpts are gathered from journals, books and magazines from the time period. Our intent is to show that living conditions in this time period was not as dismal as we have been taught to believe. These accounts also serve to show what skills, equipment and supplies will be needed if we are thrust back into the 1800’s.