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 shipping crate side has a label for Gilbert S. Graves Family Gloss Starch that was manufactured by the National Starch Company of Buffalo, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 16 3-pound boxes of starch.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side has a label for Gilbert S. Graves Family Gloss Starch that was manufactured by the National Starch Company of Buffalo, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 16 3-pound boxes of starch. The National Starch Company was one of the largest American producers of starch during the early 20th century, controlling a number of companies including the Gilbert S. Graves Company.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Starch Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.333
catalog number
1979.0441.333
accession number
1979.0441
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10018
accession number
239425
catalog number
M-10018
date made
ca 1962
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10017
accession number
239425
catalog number
M-10017
This shipping crate side contained Gargoyle brand “A” mobiloil that was made by the Vacuum Oil Company of New York City, New York in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Gargoyle brand “A” mobiloil that was made by the Vacuum Oil Company of New York City, New York in the early 20th century. The Vacuum Oil Company merged with the Standard Oil Company of New York in 1931 and marketed the Gargoyle Mobiloil brand for several years before Mobil became the new company name and Pegasus the new logo. The crate contained ten one-gallon cans of oil.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Vacuum Oil Company
ID Number
1979.0441.204
catalog number
1979.0441.204
accession number
1979.0441
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10016.01
catalog number
M-10016.01
accession number
239425
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 side originally contained biscuits manufactured by the American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company of New York, New York during the late 19th century. The crate label has the company’s trademark image of a colorful parrot on the left.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained biscuits manufactured by the American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company of New York, New York during the late 19th century. The crate label has the company’s trademark image of a colorful parrot on the left. Founded in 1890, the American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company merged with the New York Biscuit Company in 1898 to form the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) now one of the largest bakeries in the world.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
American Biscuit and Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.338
catalog number
1979.0441.338
accession number
1979.0441
This end panel of a Borden’s Evaporated Milk shipping crate bears the imprint of an eagle. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Borden’s Evaporated Milk shipping crate bears the imprint of an eagle. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857. The company changed its name to the Borden Condensed Milk Company in 1899, which was simplified to the Borden Company in 1919.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Borden Western Company
ID Number
1979.0441.330
catalog number
1979.0441.330
accession number
1979.0441
This is an end panel of a Borden’s Evaporated Milk shipping crate. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is an end panel of a Borden’s Evaporated Milk shipping crate. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857. The company changed its name to the Borden Condensed Milk Company in 1899, which was simplified to the Borden Company in 1919.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Borden Company
ID Number
1979.0441.287
catalog number
1979.0441.287
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
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 Blue Larkspur brand apple crate label was used by the Heller Brothers Company Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington after 1928. The lithographed label was produced by Crocker-Union of Seattle, Washington. The blue label features an image of the stallion Blue Larkspur wreathed in flowers on the left of the label. Blue Larkspur was a race horse who competed from 1928-1930, and was named the American Horse of the Year in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Heller Bros. Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.026
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.026
This cigar box label was made by Hummell and Company of Binghamton, New York.
Description (Brief)
This cigar box label was made by Hummell and Company of Binghamton, New York. The label has a red background with an image of a large black bear with the text “’Bear’ in Mind.” Binghamton was a large producer of cigars from 1890-1950, before the popularity of the cigarette caused a downturn in cigar production.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hummell and Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.341
catalog number
1979.0441.341
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 box has a label featuring a painted image of a young woman holding a bouquet of flowers. The label reads “Key West Extras” on the top and “Habana” on the bottom. Key West Extras were a brand of cigars produced in the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This box has a label featuring a painted image of a young woman holding a bouquet of flowers. The label reads “Key West Extras” on the top and “Habana” on the bottom. Key West Extras were a brand of cigars produced in the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Witsch & Schmitt
ID Number
1979.0441.296
catalog number
1979.0441.296
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained ground pepper packed and shipped by the John M. Oest coffee and spice factory of New York. The crate contained 20 pounds of ground pepper.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained ground pepper packed and shipped by the John M. Oest coffee and spice factory of New York. The crate contained 20 pounds of ground pepper.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Irving Coffee & Spice Factory
referenced individual
Oest, John M.
ID Number
1979.0441.344
catalog number
1979.0441.344
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Beech-Nut brand chewing gum shipped by the Beech-Nut Packing Company of Canajoharie, New York. Beech-Nut was founded in 1890, and produced a variety of food products.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Beech-Nut brand chewing gum shipped by the Beech-Nut Packing Company of Canajoharie, New York. Beech-Nut was founded in 1890, and produced a variety of food products. In 1910, the company launched its chewing gum brand whose popularity helped them weather the rough economy of the Great Depression.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Beech-Nut Packing Company
ID Number
1979.0441.274
catalog number
1979.0441.274
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 was used by the Fancy Cake Bakery, which was owned by Philip Diehl of Brewster, New York during the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by the Fancy Cake Bakery, which was owned by Philip Diehl of Brewster, New York during the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
Diehl, Philip
referenced business
Fancy Cake Bakery
ID Number
1979.0441.320
catalog number
1979.0441.320
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Portonol, a medicinal mixture of olive oil, port wine, and glyerophosphate of iron manufactured by the Portonol Drug Company of Yonkers, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Portonol, a medicinal mixture of olive oil, port wine, and glyerophosphate of iron manufactured by the Portonol Drug Company of Yonkers, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 12 24-ounch bottles of the solution.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Portonol Drug Company
ID Number
1979.0441.331
catalog number
1979.0441.331
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate label was for spices manufactured by E.R. Durkee & Company of New York, New York around the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate label shows a scene of a procession of elephants, evoking the idea of spices coming from India.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate label was for spices manufactured by E.R. Durkee & Company of New York, New York around the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate label shows a scene of a procession of elephants, evoking the idea of spices coming from India. The Durkee Company’s helm trademark is on the lower left. The E.R. Durkee Company was founded in 1850 and produced a variety of popular spices, sauces, and condiments. The company was purchased by the Glidden Company in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
E. R. Durkee & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.337
catalog number
1979.0441.337
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
1979.0441.355
catalog number
1979.0441.355
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained abrasive cloth manufactured by the Carborundum Company of Niagara Falls, New York. The Carborundum Company was founded in 1891 after Edward Goodrich Acheson synthetically produced silicon carbide (carborundum) in an attempt to create diamonds.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained abrasive cloth manufactured by the Carborundum Company of Niagara Falls, New York. The Carborundum Company was founded in 1891 after Edward Goodrich Acheson synthetically produced silicon carbide (carborundum) in an attempt to create diamonds. Silicon carbide was originally used as an abrasive in products like sandpaper, but is found in a variety of other implementations like bulletproof vests and car brakes.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Carborundum Company
ID Number
1979.0441.275
catalog number
1979.0441.275
accession number
1979.0441
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date designed
1950
date produced
1951
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Red Wing Potteries, Inc.
ID Number
1993.0234.04
catalog number
1993.0234.04
accession number
1993.0234
This shipping crate side contained Arm & Hammer brand baking soda that was manufactured by the Church & Dwight Company of New York, New York around the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Arm & Hammer brand baking soda that was manufactured by the Church & Dwight Company of New York, New York around the early 20th century. The crate side has the central Arm & Hammer trademark (meant to represent Vulcan, the Roman god of metalworking).
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Church & Dwight Company, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.301
catalog number
1979.0441.301
accession number
1979.0441

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