These are examples of barbed wire fencing used as “concertina” wire in the European campaign during World War I. The twisted steel wire with barbs at regular intervals impeded or halted the passage of soldiers.
This round hand stone has two flat sides with small concave depressions on each. The mano was used in conjunction with a metate, or grinding stone, to crush grain or seeds.
Made of pink cotton, this child's apron has a round collar with white lace edging. The ends of the short, wide sleeves are also trimmed with white lace. The apron has a front neckline opening with five small white buttons, and it has two small...
This metal powder flask with an embossed design includes a brass spout. Flasks are used as containers for loose gunpowder, and are successors of powder horns.
The stone celt axe was an important tool in ancient America, used to chop or cut wood. Celts are made of various kinds of stone and can vary considerably in shape.
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.
A black metal band encircles this red velvet pincushion decorated with a black button at the top. Four straight pins with black heads are attached through the band. The small stuffed cushion is used in sewing to rigidly hold pins or needles.
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...
This Minié ball is a conical, cylindrical soft lead bullet with three grooves around the base of the cylinder. This type of bullet, used in muzzle loading rifles, became prominent during the United States Civil War.
The set of eleven unglazed, fired clay marbles are varied in color and size. Seven of the balls are black; three are in shades of brown and tan; and one is brown and black. Marbles can be used for a variety of children's games, and are often...
This grinding stone, a reddish triangular rock, has a small central depression. A metate, or mealing stone, is a mortar used to process grain and seeds during food preparation.
This long metal hatpin is topped with a white bead. Used to secure a hat to the hair, this type of pin was a common accessory for women into the twentieth century.
This saloon token is from the Old Stone Fort Saloon in Nacogdoches, Texas. One side of the token is marked "Good For One Drink" and the other side "Old Stone Fort, Richard Cole, Propr., Nacogdoches, Tex."
Tokens have no monetary value and are used...
The silver shoe hook has a decorative scroll and leaf design on one side and is inscribed "Sterling Pat. Oct. 94." on the other. The tool ends in a narrow hook used to lace shoestrings.
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 elaborate example of a lard press includes a long board mounted on four legs, and an extension with a notch in the top that supports a handle that pivots on a peg. A plunger device is mounted on the handle, and when depressed it is inserted...
Used in printing, this shallow wooden tray, called a composing stick, has a metal screw device at one end that allows the length to be adjusted after inserting the letter blocks to make up a line of type.
