Agriculture

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
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
On December 8, 1874 Joseph Glidden and Phineas Vaughn patented this machine for making wire fences. This apparatus attached barbs to double stranded wire cables that were used to corral cattle.
Description
On December 8, 1874 Joseph Glidden and Phineas Vaughn patented this machine for making wire fences. This apparatus attached barbs to double stranded wire cables that were used to corral cattle. The machine boasts a mahogany base and metal end pieces that are painted green with gold edging.
date made
1870 - 1874
patent date
1874-12-08
inventor
Glidden, Joseph F.
Vaughan, Phineas W.
ID Number
AG.157508
catalog number
157508
accession number
89797
catalog number
308814
patent number
157,508
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
John Deere failed as a blacksmith in Vermont but succeeded as an agricultural tool manufacturer in Illinois. His company built revolutionary plows like this early 1838 example.
Description
John Deere failed as a blacksmith in Vermont but succeeded as an agricultural tool manufacturer in Illinois. His company built revolutionary plows like this early 1838 example. The steel blades of Deere plows slid more easily through sticky prairie soil and made farmers more efficient. John and his son Charles expanded the company through clever marketing and financial acumen making Deere & Company the largest plow manufacturer in the world. The company continue to expand making everything from tractors to combines, from mechanical cotton harvesters to riding lawnmowers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1838
maker
John Deere
ID Number
AG.38A04
catalog number
38A04
F001111
accession number
148904
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
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
This shipping crate side originally contained loaded paper shot shells manufactured and loaded by the Western Cartridge Company of East Alton Illinois during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained loaded paper shot shells manufactured and loaded by the Western Cartridge Company of East Alton Illinois during the early 20th century. The Western Cartridge Company was founded in 1898 as a subsidiary of the Olin Corporation, which it remains today.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Western Cartridge Company
ID Number
1979.0441.368
catalog number
1979.0441.368
accession number
1979.0441
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
In 1923, John Ploesch purchased this Rumely Oil Pull tractor for $4,000 from an Advance-Rumely dealer in Woodbine, Illinois. He arranged with neighbors to thresh their crops, organizing what was called a threshing ring that lasted until 1948.
Description
In 1923, John Ploesch purchased this Rumely Oil Pull tractor for $4,000 from an Advance-Rumely dealer in Woodbine, Illinois. He arranged with neighbors to thresh their crops, organizing what was called a threshing ring that lasted until 1948. The Rumely Oil Pull was belted to the threshing machine that separated the grain. Threshing became a major social event for farmers, laborers, and their families.
The Rumely Oil Pull was the first tractor to use an oil cooling system, which kept the engine at a steady temperature no matter how heavy the tractor's load. The cooling system allowed hotter cylinders and easier ignition. The Oil Pull starts on gas but runs on kerosene, making it much lighter and easier to maneuver than its steam-driven predecessors. This Rumely Oil Pull weighs seven tons.
Rumely engineers also made space for an extra person in the tractor's cab, gave the operator a clear view in every direction, and placed all the mechanisms--gear shift, clutch, foot brake, steering wheel, carburetor, and more--in easy reach. These new design elements helped the Rumely Oil Pull to surpass most old kerosene tractors, and many of these features were further refined in gasoline-powered machines.
Because of their hot-riveted steel frame construction, Rumely Oil Pulls lasted through years of harvests. Some were still in use as late as the 1960s.
date made
1923
maker
Advance Rumely Company
assembler
Miller, Ronald E.
ID Number
1988.0372.01
catalog number
1988.0372.01
accession number
1988.0372
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
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
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
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
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
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

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