This clear glass insulator has a top groove and was used to mount and separate electrical power and signalling lines on poles. It has a round base and is embossed with "U.S.A. 4-56 & Kimble - 830 Tempered."
The inscription on these metal lasting pliers is "2- warranted steel Har..." The pliers have ridged teeth on the gripping surfaces, and were used in leather working.
Constructed from two long parallel hinged handles that curve into opposing semi-circles near the ends, these tongs were used to handle hot wood and coals in a fireplace or fire.
Wooden boat-like device used on textile machinery to carry filling yarn during the weaving process. The size of this shuttle is 9.1 cm long and 3.95 cm wide.
The wooden shuttle is comprised of two long pieces of wood that are tapered at each end. They are connected by dowels so they remain approximately two inches apart. The shuttle was used to hold yarn or rag strips for rug weaving.
This object is made of two feathers in various colors: bright orange, red-orange, gold, brown, and black. The underside of the wing-shaped piece is covered with a black backing. The feathers could be used as a hair or millinery accessory.
Dark blue feathers are gathered with black tape to form pom poms. Two smaller pom poms extend from the center of a large ball-shaped grouping of feathers. The feathers could be used as a decorative millinery accessory.
These long black feathers are gathered at the base with three short feathers and peach colored thread. The tall hair-like feathers each end in a tulip shaped plume. Also attached to the base is a cream colored tag. The feathers could be used as a...
The wooden scutching bat has a wide end narrowing to almost a point on the opposite end. A handle on the wide end extends beyond the body of the slightly cureved board. The tool was used to loosen fibers from flax used to make linen thread.
This flax break is a handmade wooden device used to chop flax straw. It is used in processing the hair-like fibers of the flax plant into linen thread.
This pie safe is a raised cabinet with four legs. Two doors with punched tin inserts conceal shelves used to store baked goods and other foods. The pie safe has a drawer and is topped with an arched cornice.
This gavel is made from wood from the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches, Texas. The head is designed with carved bands and the handle has turned detailing. Gavels are ceremonial mallets used to call for attention in court proceedings or to punctuate...
Similar to a double boiler, this set of pots was used to heat hide glue, an adhesive made by boiling animal connective tissue. The larger pot is marked "Marietta, PA" on its exterior. Both pots have curved wire handles.
The derringer is a small handgun that is easily concealed. This pistol is made of metal and wood, and is similar to the handgun used to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
This is a wrought iron door hook, one of two pieces used to latch a door. The second piece of the latch is the eye, into which the hook is placed to secure a door so it cannot swing open.
This black stone grinding tool is shaped with tripod legs and a flared bowl at its concave center. Metates were used for processing grain and seeds during food preparation.
This black stone grinding tool is shaped with tripod legs and a flared bowl at its concave center. Metates were used for processing grain and seeds during food preparation.
