Artifacts & Documents: Browse
The Fabric of Everyday Life: Objects and Clothing
There are 16 items in this category.
- The New England Primer
- 1782
- The New England Primer was widely used to teach children their alphabet, reading and religion.
- Thomas' Almanack for 1784
- 1784
- Almanacs were among the most widely-owned books in 18th and early 19th century America.
- Bannister-back Side Chair
- 1780
- The skills of several craftsmen were needed to make this relatively inexpensive chair that could be used to seat family members or guests.
- Butter Churn
- This large wooden churn was used to process cream into butter, thus preserving a perishable dairy product that would otherwise rapidly spoil without refrigeration.
- Child's High Chair
- 1780
- This 18th century high chair with turned finials and a ladder back was intended for a child to sit in at the table.
- Diadama Morgan Field's Wedding Gown
- 1785
- Diadama Morgan Field's wedding gown, constructed of imported blue wool damask, was made for her wedding in 1785 in Northfield, Massachusetts.
- Ditch Plow
- 1780
- Farmers who specialized in growing root crops like potatoes used plows like this.
- Firebucket
- 2007
- Firebuckets were hung by the door for quick access if there was a fire in town and a bucket brigade was needed.
- Greatcoat
- 1990
- Greatcoats were 18th century overcoats. They were worn by many men during the cold weather.
- Manure Fork
- 1785
- A manure fork was an essential tool on a farm for cleaning out barns and spreading manure for fertilizer.
- Neck Yoke
- 1780
- A neck yoke made carrying buckets full of heavy water, milk, or other liquids easier by balancing the load and distributing it onto the shoulders of the bearer.
- Pewter Mug
- 1790
- This drinking mug, with its scrolled handle and footed base in a so-called tulip shape, was typical of the export ware made in England for the American market.
- Toasting Iron
- 1750
- This decorative and useful iron kitchen implement was used to toast bread in front of the fire, on the hearth.
- Tricorn Hat
- 1775
- Civilians as well as military men wore tricorn hats like this one owned by Colonel Joseph Stebbins Jr. (1749-1816) of Deerfield, Massachusetts, during the last half of the 18th century.
- Wells Tavern Sign
- 1780
- This tavern sign hung in front of the Wells' tavern in Greenfield.
- Williams and Upham Account Books
- 1782
- John Williams of Deerfield was a merchant as well as a lawyer. These pages from one of his surviving account book record financial transactions between Williams and several of his customers.