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
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 New Deal brand apple crate label was used by the Adams Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an illustration of two red apples on a branch, with a hand of cards showing the Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of spades, and one card unknown. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Adams Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.110
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.110
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 Apple Capital brand apple crate label was used by Apple Capital Growers, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington around 1933. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has a silhouetted image of a domed building, similar to the U.S. Capitol, and an image of a red apple in the foreground. Wenatchee claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World,” a name that was appropriated for this companies branding.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Apple Capital Growers, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.140
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.140
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand spinach, which was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. Schwabacher Brothers Co., Inc.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand spinach, which was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. Schwabacher Brothers Co., Inc. was founded in 1860 and became a retail empire by selling clothing, groceries, and hardware in the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Schwabacher Bros. & Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.209
catalog number
1979.0441.209
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 Clipper Ship brand apple crate label was used by the Wells and Wade Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with an illustration of the clipper ship Erskine M. Phelps sailing over a dark blue ocean. These apples are from Wenatchee, a region famous for its apple production.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wells and Wade Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.132
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.132
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 Keystone Brand apple crate label was in use by the Keystone Fruit Company of Entiat, Washington during the beginning of the 20th century. The Keystone brand belonged to Nuchief Sales Inc., a grower cooperative in Wenatchee, Washington whose logo of a young male Native American wearing a full headdress is on the right of the label.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Keystone Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.008
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.008
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 Trustworthee brand apple crate label was used by the American Fruit Growers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California. The plain label has an orange background with a blue frame, with black text.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
American Fruit Growers Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.074
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.074
This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington.
Description (Brief)
This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington. In 1918, five Washington State dairy co-operatives combined to create the United Dairymen’s Association in an attempt to open new markets for their dairy products. In 1925, there was a contest amongst the co-operatives dairy farmers to name the company’s brand, and Darigold won.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
United Dairy Association of Washington
ID Number
1979.0441.292
catalog number
1979.0441.292
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Twin W brand fruit, shipped by the Wells & Wade Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Twin W brand fruit, shipped by the Wells & Wade Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wells and Wade Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.266
catalog number
1979.0441.266
accession number
1979.0441
This Skookum brand apple crate was in use by the Northwestern Fruit Growers Association of Seattle, Washington, in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This Skookum brand apple crate was in use by the Northwestern Fruit Growers Association of Seattle, Washington, in the early 20th century. Skookum was a Chinook word denoting “excellence.” Native American imagery was frequently depicted on the crate labels of various fruit distributors to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce. The Blue Goose label insert on this crate was a way for growers to maintain their product identity while benefiting from being in a large cooperative.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Skookum Packers Association
ID Number
1979.0441.069
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.069
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 My Treat brand apple crate label was used by George F.
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 My Treat brand apple crate label was used by George F. Joseph of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an image of two red apples and a golden apple all still on a branch. The label calls the apples “Your Tasty Treat to Health.” Apple advertising would often focus on the health benefits of apples, (an apple a day keeps the doctor away!) a strategy that is seen on this label.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
George F. Joseph Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.139
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.139
This shipping crate contained Mist-Kist brand cranberries that were grown and packed by the Grayland Cranberry Growers Association Inc. of Grayland, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. The crate has an illustration of a wooded region by the sea.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate contained Mist-Kist brand cranberries that were grown and packed by the Grayland Cranberry Growers Association Inc. of Grayland, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. The crate has an illustration of a wooded region by the sea. The Grayland coastal region of Washington is well known for its cranberries. This crate contained McFarlin variety cranberries.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Grayland Cranberry Growers Association
ID Number
1979.0441.202
catalog number
1979.0441.202
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950.
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. Nuchief often used an image of a Native American boy, but at some point began using an image of one yellow and one red apple next to their label inserts. This Okanogan brand insert depicts an orchard near a mountain. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes like this to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Washington Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.042
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.042
This apple crate label was for Independent Brand apples distributed by the Washington Fruit and Produce Company of Yakima, Washington around 1931. The label has a blue background, with an image of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell in the center.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This apple crate label was for Independent Brand apples distributed by the Washington Fruit and Produce Company of Yakima, Washington around 1931. The label has a blue background, with an image of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Washington Fruit & Produce Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.373
catalog number
1979.0441.373
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained cream cheese that was produced by the Hamilton Cheese & Creamery Company of Hamilton, Washington during the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained cream cheese that was produced by the Hamilton Cheese & Creamery Company of Hamilton, Washington during the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hamilton Cheese & Creamery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.201
catalog number
1979.0441.201
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Max-I-Mum brand peas that were packed for the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 20-ounce tins of early June sifted peas.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Max-I-Mum brand peas that were packed for the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 20-ounce tins of early June sifted peas.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Brothers Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.258
catalog number
1979.0441.258
accession number
1979.0441
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest. Later becoming Crescent Foods Inc., the company made its mark on the consumer landscape in 1905 with its Mapleine imitation maple flavoring which is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.370
catalog number
1979.0441.370
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 Up-River brand apple crate label was used by the Oneonta Trading Corporation of Wenatchee-Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an image of three red apples hanging on a branch. The Oneonta Trading Corporation derives its name from the Native American words for “mountain” or “where the rocks crop out.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Oneonta Trading Corp.
ID Number
1979.0441.024
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.024
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950.
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. The lithographed label was produced by the Schmidt L. Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an image of a young Native American boy wearing a headdress and carrying an apple and a hatchet. There is a Hi-Up brand label insert that depicts an eagle perched on its mountain nest with three eaglets inside. These apples were grown by the Peshastin Co-operative, and distributed by Nuchief Sales. Growers, packers, and distributors in the Northwest banded together in co-operatives to secure the best value for their produce and combat growers in other regions.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Nuchief Sales Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.068
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.068
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 Chelan View apple crate label was used by the J.D.
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 Chelan View apple crate label was used by the J.D. Hamilton Fruit company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an illustration of two red apples in the foreground, with an orchard on a hill next to a lake, with mountains looming in the background. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes like this to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. D. Hamilton Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.013
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.013
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 Wenoka apple crate label was used by the packing company Captain Robert J. Graham of Cashmere, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The crate label has a large central image of an arrowhead, with a profile image of a Native American in the arrow’s center. There is an inset image of a Clipper Ship on the left. The apples were likely grown by the co-operative behind the Clipper Ship brand, and then packed and distributed using the Wenoka brand.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Robert J. Graham
ID Number
1979.0441.104
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.104
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 Headline brand apple crate label was used by Floyd Dahn Fruits Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a dark background, with an inset illustration of a young boy cupping his hand over his mouth and shouting. The Northwest apple growing region would often advertise their apples by touting their health benefits, especially for young children, even stressing that Washington state apples were better than apples grown from other regions.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Floyd Dahn Fruits Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.130
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.130
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 Butler’s Pride apple crate label was used by the Butler Trading Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The paper label on wooden crate side is blue with a colorful image of a red apple hanging from a branch.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Butler Trading Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.009
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.009
This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. Founded in 1892, the Haines Oyster Company was one of the oldest wholesale shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Haines Oyster Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.306
catalog number
1979.0441.306
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 Eatum brand apple crate label was used by the Albertson Company Inc. of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with an image of two red apples still on the branch in the center. The apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
S. Albertson Company Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.109
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.109

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