This black sun bonnet has a quilted bill with ruffled edging. A ruffled cap is attached at back of the bill with a gathered ruffle extending at the bottom to cover the neck. Ties are attached to each side of the front of bonnet.
This harness is an example of a double tree style of harness that connects two horses to a wagon. It is made of wood with metal attachments. Typically, two single harnesses are attached to the double tree section that is, in turn, attached to the...
The handle and blade of this large plane have been removed. The tool has two wooden screws that fasten the fence to the plane, and an iron plate is attached to the bottom. A wooden wedge is used to secure an iron blade. The overall length of the...
Over 4.5 feet tall, this wooden mop consists of a rectangular mop head and a varnished cylindrical handle attached with nails. Bundled dried corn husks are inserted into four holes in the mop head to form stiff bristles for sweeping or scrubbing.
Used to spin thread or yarn, this is a great, or walking, type spinning wheel commonly used during the 19th century. The entire piece is made of dark brown varnished wood with an overall length of seven feet. The 3.5 foot wheel is attached to main...
Railroads; Railroad construction & maintenance; Cast ironwork
To join train cars together, the cast iron pin was inserted into the removable oblong link and a permanently attached coupler. Switchmen worked between railroad cars to complete the dangerous task of linking them.
This pair of white leather lace-up shoes has pointed toes and low heels. The soles are attached on each heel with seven nails. The shoes are scuffed with brown markings.
White and pale cream feathers make up this fan with a bird-shaped handle. The unusual handle has two small black beads representing eyes on a bird's face. The back of the fan has twisted wire covered with cream colored tape and an attached tag with...
A blue feather is attached to a butterfly shape fashioned from a variety of materials. The turquoise velvet shape is surrounded by brown and black fur and is trimmed with turquoise piping, copper beads, and narrow sequins. The decorative piece has...
Stone Fort Rifles Texas Militia hat. Flat black leather brim which is squared off in front. On either side of brim is a gold button bearing a 5 point star and letters T-E-X-A-S surrounding star, a gold rope is attached to the two buttons and lays...
Two long feathers are twisted together to form a spiral shape. One feather is black and the second is variegated shades of turquoise. The piece has a black taped base and could be attached to hat as a decorative 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...
Two silver chains with decorative oval medallions at each end are attached to a third medallion to form a closure for the neckline of a garment, such as a woman's chemise.
This is a Spanish Colonial iron ring bit designed in the Moorish tradition. It has a curved mouthpiece and cheekplates. Small dangles known as "ficas" adorn the sides of the bit, and lengths of chain are attached to either side. The bit is the...
This flat metal implement in the shape of a rectangle has 53 parallel openings along its length. A separate metal piece accompanies the tool to push fabric through the openings to form pleats. An attached label includes instructions for use and...
Similar in function to an axe, this froe has metal blade attached to a long wooden handle. One side of the blade is engraved with a star and "Iron City."
Used to wind yarn into skeins, this wooden machine was brought from Canada in the 19th century. Four arms are mounted on a winding shaft that is supported on a base comprised of two curved boards stabilized with crosspieces. The winding arms each...
Composed of two rectangular blocks of wood, this press has a leather strap linking them. One of the blocks has a hinged section. The rolled strap has a white decorative border and a metal wing-nut to tighten it. Two paper labels are attached with...
This grooved spindle from a spinning wheel has a wooden base with two turned wooden upright pieces that form a 'U' shape. Across the top of the assembly a pointed metal rod is attached with string and corn husk bindings. One end of the rod is...
