Agriculture

John Deere Model D Tractor

From butter churns to diesel tractors, the Museum's agricultural artifacts trace the story of Americans who work the land. Agricultural tools and machinery in the collections range from a John Deere plow of the 1830s to 20th-century cultivators and harvesters. The Museum's holdings also include overalls, aprons, and sunbonnets; farm photographs; milk cans and food jars; handmade horse collars; and some 200 oral histories of farm men and women in the South. Prints in the collections show hundreds of scenes of rural life. The politics of agriculture are part of the story, too, told in materials related to farm workers' unions and a group of artifacts donated by the family of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.

John Deere Plow
John Deere Plow, 1830s
Place: Chicago

Ink Shipping Crate

This is a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate side. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate side. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and became a large producer of ink and glue products in its early years before focusing on ink and being renamed the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford introduced the Sharpie marker in 1964, which went on to become one of its best selling products. Sanford was purchased by the Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.226
catalog number
1979.0441.226
accession number
1979.0441

Ink Shipping Crate

This is an end panel of a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is an end panel of a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and became a large producer of ink and glue products in its early years before focusing on ink and being renamed the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford introduced the Sharpie marker in 1964, which went on to become one of its best selling products. Sanford was purchased by Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.294
catalog number
1979.0441.294
accession number
1979.0441

Food Product's Shipping Crate

This shipping crate end panel is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the company in 1868.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end panel is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the company in 1868. Libby’s became one of the country's biggest producers of canned meats in vegetables in the early 20th century. The company was purchased by Nestle in 1971.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Libby, McNeill & Libby
ID Number
1979.0441.359
catalog number
1979.0441.359
accession number
1979.0441

Baking Powder Shipping Crate

This shipping crate end is imprinted with “Calument Baking Powder” text and Native American head trademark. William Wright formulated Calumet Baking Powder in Chicago, Illinois in 1889. The powder was named after Calumet City, a town near Chicago.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end is imprinted with “Calument Baking Powder” text and Native American head trademark. William Wright formulated Calumet Baking Powder in Chicago, Illinois in 1889. The powder was named after Calumet City, a town near Chicago. Calumet was also the Native American term for peace pipe, and Calumet used the profile of a Native American in a headdress as its trademark. Calumet was bought by General Foods bought in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Calumet Baking Powder Company
ID Number
1979.0441.172
catalog number
1979.0441.172
accession number
1979.0441

Salmon Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Happy-Vale brand pink salmon that was shipped by the Emery Food Company of Chicago, Illinois. The crate contained four dozen one-pound packages of Happy-Vale salmon.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Happy-Vale brand pink salmon that was shipped by the Emery Food Company of Chicago, Illinois. The crate contained four dozen one-pound packages of Happy-Vale salmon.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Emery Food Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.176
catalog number
1979.0441.176
accession number
1979.0441

Brush Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained one dozen Moose brand scrubs manufactured by the Royal Brush & Broom Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The wooden crate side has black text.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained one dozen Moose brand scrubs manufactured by the Royal Brush & Broom Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The wooden crate side has black text.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Royal Brush & Broom Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.237
catalog number
1979.0441.237
accession number
1979.0441

Montgomery Ward Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was used by Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th century. Montgomery Ward was founded in 1872 as a catalogue company that attempted to bring city goods into rural areas by allowing people to order items via mail and pick up the goods at their train station. This crate calls Montgomery Ward “The World’s Leading Outfitter” and encourages consumers to send for a catalogue.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Montgomery Ward
ID Number
1979.0441.356
catalog number
1979.0441.356
accession number
1979.0441

Mucilage Shipping Crate

This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and produced ink and glue in its early years before solely manufacturing ink products and renaming itself the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford was purchased by Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.260
catalog number
1979.0441.260
accession number
1979.0441

Evaporated Milk Shipping Crate

This Carnation Evaporated Milk shipping crate side features the product can bearing the company logo of a stem of carnations. The Carnation Evaporated Milk Company was founded in 1901 by E.A. Stuart in Seattle, Washington.
Description (Brief)
This Carnation Evaporated Milk shipping crate side features the product can bearing the company logo of a stem of carnations. The Carnation Evaporated Milk Company was founded in 1901 by E.A. Stuart in Seattle, Washington. Nestle acquired the Carnation Company in 1985.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Carnation Company
ID Number
1979.0441.273
catalog number
1979.0441.273
accession number
1979.0441

Ink Shipping Crate

This is a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate end. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is a Sanford Ink Company shipping crate end. The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and became a large producer of ink and glue products in its early years before focusing on ink and being renamed the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford introduced the Sharpie marker in 1964, which went on to become one of its best selling products. Sanford was purchased by Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.283
catalog number
1979.0441.283
accession number
1979.0441

Cheese Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Kraft brand American Cheese spread that was manufactured by the Kraft Cheese Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Kraft brand American Cheese spread that was manufactured by the Kraft Cheese Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained 2 pounds of cheese spread, and the crate side bears a reminder to keep the cheese under refrigeration.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Kraft Foods Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.351
catalog number
1979.0441.351
accession number
1979.0441

Baking Powder Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained KC brand baking powder that was manufactured by the Jaques Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 25 ounce cans of baking powder.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained KC brand baking powder that was manufactured by the Jaques Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 25 ounce cans of baking powder. The company advertised through a popular recipe booklet called “The Cook’s Book.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Jaques Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.191
catalog number
1979.0441.191
accession number
1979.0441

Soap Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side bears a label for Jap Rose brand soap that was manufactured by James S. Kirk & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side bears a label for Jap Rose brand soap that was manufactured by James S. Kirk & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The yellow label has an image of a smiling Japanese woman wearing a kimono, with roses growing on a bamboo frame on the right. At this time the Japanese had a reputation for daily bathing and cleanliness which Kirk’s tried to exploit with their branding and advertising.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
James S. Kirk & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.257
catalog number
1979.0441.257
accession number
1979.0441

Yeast Shipping Crate

This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark. Magic Yeast was originally invented and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886.
Description (Brief)
This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark. Magic Yeast was originally invented and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886. In 1893 Gillett founded the Northwestern Yeast Company in Chicago, Illinois, to manufacture Magic Yeast and its companion product, Yeast Foam.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Northwestern Yeast Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.334
catalog number
1979.0441.334
accession number
1979.0441

Yeast Shipping Crate

This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark. Magic Yeast was formulated and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886.
Description (Brief)
This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark. Magic Yeast was formulated and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886. In 1893 Gillett founded the Northwestern Yeast Company in Chicago, Illinois, to manufacture Magic Yeast and its companion product, Yeast Foam. In 1929 the company was merged with four others by J.P. Morgan to create Standard Brands.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Northwestern Yeast Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.222
catalog number
1979.0441.222
accession number
1979.0441

Pork & Beans Shipping Crate

This shipping crate end is imprinted with “Snider Pork and Beans with Tomato Sauce/T.A. Snider Preserve Co./Chicago, U.S.A.” Thomas A. Snider started the T.A.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end is imprinted with “Snider Pork and Beans with Tomato Sauce/T.A. Snider Preserve Co./Chicago, U.S.A.” Thomas A. Snider started the T.A. Snider Preserve Company of Cincinnati in 1879, and was renowned for his “catsup” recipe made from fresh tomatoes without preservatives. Snider was one of the largest ketchup makers at the turn of the 20th century and produced a variety of tomato related products and canned goods such as relish, tomato soup, oyster sauce, and pork and beans.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
T. A. Snider Preserve Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.239
catalog number
1979.0441.239
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Revelation brand apple crate label was used by the John A.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Revelation brand apple crate label was used by the John A. Eck Company of Chicago, Illinois during the beginning of the 20th century. The lithographed blue label has an illustration of two red apples still on the branch.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
John A. Eck Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.012
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.012

Mucilage Shipping Crate

This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and produced ink and glue in its early years before solely manufacturing ink products and renaming itself the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford was purchased by Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.355
catalog number
1979.0441.355
accession number
1979.0441

Yeast Shipping Crate

This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark on a red background. Magic Yeast was originally formulated and manufactured by Egbert W.
Description (Brief)
This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark on a red background. Magic Yeast was originally formulated and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886, and in 1893 he founded the Northwestern Yeast Company to manufacture Magic Yeast and its companion product, Yeast Foam.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Northwestern Yeast Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.168
catalog number
1979.0441.168
accession number
1979.0441

Spinach Shipping Crate

This shipping crate end is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. This crate contained Fancy California Spinach. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the Chicago based company in 1868.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. This crate contained Fancy California Spinach. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the Chicago based company in 1868. Originally specializing in canned meats, Libby’s began to produce canned fruits and vegetables in the early 20th century. Libby, McNeil and Libby was purchased by Nestle in 1971.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Libby, McNeill & Libby
ID Number
1979.0441.214
catalog number
1979.0441.214
accession number
1979.0441

McCormick Grain Binder Patent Model

This model accompanied the patent application for Leander J. McCormick’s “Improvement in Grain-Binders” assigned patent number 222,416 on December 9, 1879. The grain binder was incorporated into McCormick’s mower and raker to form the self-binding harvester.
Description
This model accompanied the patent application for Leander J. McCormick’s “Improvement in Grain-Binders” assigned patent number 222,416 on December 9, 1879. The grain binder was incorporated into McCormick’s mower and raker to form the self-binding harvester. The machine would mow the hay, rake it into bunches, and then tie the bunches into sheaves that would dry in the field before being threshed.
date made
1875 - 1879
patent date
1879-12-09
inventor
McCormick, Leander J.
ID Number
AG.222416
catalog number
222416
accession number
89797
patent number
222,416

Baking Powder Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained KC brand baking powder that was manufactured by the Jaques Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 25 ounce cans of baking powder.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained KC brand baking powder that was manufactured by the Jaques Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 25 ounce cans of baking powder. The company advertised through a popular recipe booklet called “The Cook’s Book.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Jaques Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.295
catalog number
1979.0441.295
accession number
1979.0441

Teatro Campo "La Huelga"

A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
August 1
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
PL.296849.25
catalog number
296849.25
accession number
296849

John Deere

A tape measure in a celluloid case of cream celluloid with yellow and green on the front and back. Advertising copy for the John Deere Company includes a profile portrait of John Deere with the message, "He gave to the world the steel plow," underneath.
Description (Brief)
A tape measure in a celluloid case of cream celluloid with yellow and green on the front and back. Advertising copy for the John Deere Company includes a profile portrait of John Deere with the message, "He gave to the world the steel plow," underneath. The other side bears the John Deere logo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
advertiser
Deere & Company
depicted
Deere, John
maker
Parisian Novelty Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0927
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0927

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