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

Prize: Forestry Society

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
ID Number
NU.69.127.11
catalog number
69.127.11
accession number
286471

Pineapple Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Ukulele brand canned pineapple slices that were packed by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii. The crate bears the J.D. Dole trademark.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Ukulele brand canned pineapple slices that were packed by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii. The crate bears the J.D. Dole trademark. Dole founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which was bought by Castle & Cooke in the 1960s and became the Dole Food Company in 1991.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hawaiian Pineapple Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.232
catalog number
1979.0441.232
accession number
1979.0441

Orange Crate Label

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 Bell Cove brand orange crate label was used by the Earlibest Orange Association of Lemon Cove, California during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an illustration of a bell surrounded by flowers, and an image of a house surrounded by orchard trees on the bell. The label also has the Sunkist orange logo on the lower right, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Earlibest Orange Association, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.079
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.079

Prize: Society for Gardening

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
ID Number
NU.69.127.423
catalog number
69.127.423
accession number
286471

American Agriculture Movement Protest Pin

The American Agriculture Movement was started in the fall of 1977 in response to the 1977 Farm Bill which had the adverse affect of dropping commodity prices to a level lower than the cost of production.
Description
The American Agriculture Movement was started in the fall of 1977 in response to the 1977 Farm Bill which had the adverse affect of dropping commodity prices to a level lower than the cost of production. Many farmers left their hometowns to participate in tractorcades, protests on tractors, or lobby in Congress for better agricultural prices. Some farmers participating in the movement attempted to organize a national farm strike, whereby farmers would not buy or sell anything, but it ultimately fizzled out before getting off the ground. In 1978 and 1979, movement organizers rallied large numbers of farmers to descend upon Washington, DC in order to bring their plight to the attention of the American people and lawmakers.
The farm crisis of the late 1970s and 1980s was triggered by several factors stemming from the early 1970s. When Earl Butz became the Secretary of Agriculture in 1971, he changed farm policies that provided supports to farmers who did not plant a certain percentage of their land, and instead asked farmers to plant “fence row to fence row” in order to increase production. New foreign markets had opened up, inflation was high which increased land values and interest rates were low which provided extra incentive for farmers to increase their landholdings and purchase modern equipment that made output from the land more productive. Many farmers took advantage of this confluence of factors to increase their income by following this advice.
In the late 1970s, the Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates in an attempt to bring down the rate of inflation. This happened at the same time foreign markets dried up and a trade embargo was placed on the Soviet Union. These factors meant farm income dwindled at the same time interest rates skyrocketed, eating up what little income remained for farmers. The members of the American Agriculture Movement were highly involved in protests through the late 1970s and 1980s, speaking to officials at all levels of U.S. government in an attempt to raise awareness of the growing farm crisis. Concern over the 1977 Farm Bill ignited the concern for many farmers who believed the bill would adversely affect farm income by lowering commodity prices to less than the cost of production. Farmers began to protest at all levels of government, most for the first time, in order to bring this to the attention of policy makers as well as the people.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1993.0188.009
accession number
1993.0188
catalog number
1993.0188.009

McCormick-Deering Disk Harrow Model

The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution.
Description (Brief)
The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution. From the 1920s-1950s farming productivity rose dramatically due to mechanization, fertilizers, chemicals (fungicides, pesticides, herbicides) and the hybridization of plants and animals. Agricultural innovations continue to be important to farming today. While the museum has over a dozen full-size tractors and other pieces of farming equipment, most technical developments of the 20th century are represented in the collection through toys and models.
An unknown maker manufactured this model of a McCormick-Deering disk harrow around 1944. Models like this could be hitched to a model tractor and operate like the real thing.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.0818.04
accession number
1986.0818
catalog number
1986.0818.04

Scotch Whisky Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Black & White brand Scotch whisky made by James Buchanan & Company of Glasgow, Scotland during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Black & White brand Scotch whisky made by James Buchanan & Company of Glasgow, Scotland during the early 20th century. The whisky was originally known as House of Commons whisky, but became known as Black and White Whisky due to its black bottle and white label. Eventually this was adopted as the official brand name, and the company launched a popular ad campaign featuring a black Scottish terrier and white West Highland terrier.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
James Buchanan & Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.277
catalog number
1979.0441.277
accession number
1979.0441

Prize: Society for Horse Races, Pensa Honoring A.A. Tatishchev

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875
ID Number
NU.69.127.741
catalog number
69.127.741
accession number
286471

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 Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc.
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 Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background, with the illustration of a small sailboat in a choppy blue sea. Wenatchee, Washington was one of the largest apple producing regions in the United States, an area that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.097
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.097

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894
ID Number
NU.68.263.720
catalog number
68.263.0720
accession number
281689

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.721
catalog number
68.263.721
accession number
281689

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.69.127.760
catalog number
69.127.760
accession number
286471

Prize for Agriculture by Dristrict of the Taurus

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
ID Number
NU.69.127.547
catalog number
69.127.547
accession number
286471

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.69.127.42
catalog number
69.127.42
accession number
286471

Nabob Oil Shipping Crate

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 Nabob Oil crate side was used by the Texas Company (Texaco) of Beaumont, Texas during the early 20th century. The crate side bears the Texaco star logo in the center, with the circle around the star reading “The Texas Company U.S.A Petroleum Products.” The crate contained Nabob Oil, a medium-bodied lubricant manufactured by Texaco to be used on a variety of machines.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Texas Company
ID Number
1979.0441.143
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.143

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1814
ID Number
NU.NU84173
catalog number
NU84173
accession number
257688

Cheese Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained full cream Lakeshire American Cheese manufactured by the Lackshire Cheese Company of Plymouth, Wisconsin during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained full cream Lakeshire American Cheese manufactured by the Lackshire Cheese Company of Plymouth, Wisconsin during the early 20th century. The crate side features the Lakeshire’s Company trademarked triangle and L in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Lakeshire Cheese Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.350
catalog number
1979.0441.350
accession number
1979.0441

Jimmy Carter’s Future Farmers of America Jacket

Jimmy Carter wore this blue corduroy Future Farmers of America jacket during his time as a member of the Georgia Plains chapter during the 1940s.
Description
Jimmy Carter wore this blue corduroy Future Farmers of America jacket during his time as a member of the Georgia Plains chapter during the 1940s. The jacket has the FFA seal on the left breast, with “Jimmy Carter/Secretary” embroidered in yellow on the right breast.
The FFA was founded in 1928 to engage youngsters with agriculture and prepare young farmers for the future challenges of farming. In 1933 the band from the Fredericktown chapter of the FFA wore the blue corduroy jacket to the sixth annual convention, where the delegates became so enamoured with the jacket that it was adopted by the organization as its official dress.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2014.0155.01
catalog number
2014.0155.01
accession number
2014.0155

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.742
catalog number
68.263.742
accession number
281689

Soap Crate Label

This soap shipping crate label was used by Benjamin Brooke & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Benjamin Brooke & Company produced high quality hand soaps in Philadelphia.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This soap shipping crate label was used by Benjamin Brooke & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Benjamin Brooke & Company produced high quality hand soaps in Philadelphia.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Benjamin Brooke & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.220
catalog number
1979.0441.220
accession number
1979.0441

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894
ID Number
NU.68.263.1440
catalog number
68.263.1440
accession number
281689

Apple Crate Label

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 Hi Buy All brand apple crate label was used by the Butler trading Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Spokane Lithography Company of Spokane, Washington. The blue label features an illustration of two red apples on the branch in the center, promoting the idea of fresh and tasty produce inside.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Butler Trading Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.046
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.046

McCormick-Deering Corn Picker Model

The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution.
Description (Brief)
The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution. From the 1920s-1950s farming productivity rose dramatically due to mechanization, fertilizers, chemicals (fungicides, pesticides, herbicides) and the hybridization of plants and animals. Agricultural innovations continue to be important to farming today. While the museum has over a dozen full-size tractors and other pieces of farming equipment, most technical developments of the 20th century are represented in the collection through toys and models.
An unknown maker manufactured this model of a McCormick-Deering corn picker around 1949. Models like this could be hitched to a model tractor and operate like the real thing.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.0818.05
accession number
1986.0818
catalog number
1986.0818.05

Raisins Shipping Crate

This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Tacoma Groc. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.153
catalog number
1979.0441.153
accession number
1979.0441

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