Natural Resources

Lithograph of

The natural resources collections offer centuries of evidence about how Americans have used the bounty of the American continent and coastal waters. Artifacts related to flood control, dam construction, and irrigation illustrate the nation's attempts to manage the natural world. Oil-drilling, iron-mining, and steel-making artifacts show the connection between natural resources and industrial strength.

Forestry is represented by saws, axes, a smokejumper's suit, and many other objects. Hooks, nets, and other gear from New England fisheries of the late 1800s are among the fishing artifacts, as well as more recent acquisitions from the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay. Whaling artifacts include harpoons, lances, scrimshaw etchings in whalebone, and several paintings of a whaler's work at sea. The modern environmental movement has contributed buttons and other protest artifacts on issues from scenic rivers to biodiversity.

Miner’s Carbide Lamp

This Victor model carbide mining lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1920. This lamp was designed by William Frisbie and features his patented Polygon system.
Description (Brief)
This Victor model carbide mining lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1920. This lamp was designed by William Frisbie and features his patented Polygon system. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8788B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8788B
accession number
265669

Miner's Electric Lamp

This battery-powered mining lamp, called the Hubbell Lamp, was made by the PortElec Safety Light Company in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This battery-powered mining lamp, called the Hubbell Lamp, was made by the PortElec Safety Light Company in the early 20th century. Hubbell has produced many different lighting designs and first patented the chain pull electric socket, a design still used today.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8031
catalog number
MHI-MN-8031
accession number
236603

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company, in Chicago, Illinois in the first half of the 20th century. This lamp is notable for its reflector, a “matchless” design with a lighter built into the reflector to spark and ignite the acetylene gas.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company, in Chicago, Illinois in the first half of the 20th century. This lamp is notable for its reflector, a “matchless” design with a lighter built into the reflector to spark and ignite the acetylene gas. Instead of having a polished brass reflector like many lamps, this reflector is aluminum.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1114
accession number
1978.0288
catalog number
MHI-MI-1114

MSA Comfo-Cap Miner’s Helmet

This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8097C
catalog number
MHI-MN-8097C
accession number
240639

Miner's Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Company from Eccles, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Company from Eccles, Manchester, United Kingdom. This 33A version was one of Protector's most successful models, manufactured from 1935 into the 1950's, as one of their high candlepower lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7863
catalog number
MHI-MN-7863
accession number
240639

Miner's Electric Cap Lamp

The Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery encased in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled from the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap.
Description (Brief)
The Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery encased in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled from the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamps for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp is a Model "P" and was made in 1940, and was used by Lanscoal, Inc. in Lansford, Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8929B
accession number
260126
catalog number
MHI-MN-8929B

MSA Comfo-Cap Miner’s Helmet

This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8097A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8097A
accession number
240639

Oats Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.A.7587
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7587

Mining Tunnel Lamp

This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be attached onto any suitable location inside the mine.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7989A
accession number
234932
catalog number
MHI-MN-7989A

Carbide Mining Lamp

This carbide mining lamp was made by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. This lamp was meant to be hung or hand-held, rather than worn on a cap.
Description (Brief)
This carbide mining lamp was made by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. This lamp was meant to be hung or hand-held, rather than worn on a cap. In carbide lamps, acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9767
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9767

Autumn Coralroot Orchid Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943-09-20
ID Number
AG.A.7591
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7591

MSA Skullgard Helmet

This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930. The hat is made of Bakelite plastic, with a metal lamp bracket protruding from the front that would have held an electric cap lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9713
accession number
299568
catalog number
MHI-MN-9713

Euphorbia Fulgens Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938
ID Number
AG.A.7550
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7550

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp is a Dew-R-Lite hand lamp model, manufactured around the mid-1920’s by the Dewar Manufacturing Company of Brooklyn, New York. Dewar produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930's.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is a Dew-R-Lite hand lamp model, manufactured around the mid-1920’s by the Dewar Manufacturing Company of Brooklyn, New York. Dewar produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930's. Dewar was well known for its “I-T-P” (It’s Trouble Proof), Sun Ray, and Dew-R-Lite lamp brands.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8941B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8941B
accession number
240639

Flexo Band Cool Cap Miner’s Cap

This is a Flexo Band Cool Cap. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was patented by Albert A. Strauss around 1933. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation.
Description (Brief)
This is a Flexo Band Cool Cap. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was patented by Albert A. Strauss around 1933. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was often colloquially referred to as a "turtle shell" helmet, due to its distinctive style. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was distributed by a few different companies during the 20th century, including the MSA Company and the Portable Lamp and Equipment Company. The leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the cap. The bracket could have held an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8181D
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8181D

Miner's Cap Lamp

This "Sunshine Lamp," has an unknown manufacturer but would have been in use from 1850 to around 1920. This lamp is called a Sunshine lamp because it burned "Sunshine" fuel produced by the Standard Oil Company (a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil).
Description (Brief)
This "Sunshine Lamp," has an unknown manufacturer but would have been in use from 1850 to around 1920. This lamp is called a Sunshine lamp because it burned "Sunshine" fuel produced by the Standard Oil Company (a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil). This lamp's chain and hook indicate that it was hung rather than worn on the cap.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.062399
catalog number
062399
accession number
239748

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by Trethaway Brother of Parsons, Pennsylvania during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by Trethaway Brother of Parsons, Pennsylvania during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap, or hooked onto any other suitable location.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9553
catalog number
MHI-MN-9553
accession number
280476

Coal King Miner’s Cap

This miner’s cap was made during the early 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The cap is a Coal King brand of hat that the T.R. Jones Company produced.
Description (Brief)
This miner’s cap was made during the early 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The cap is a Coal King brand of hat that the T.R. Jones Company produced. The hat is made of reinforced leather, with a thick leather brim, and a thick leather and metal lamp bracket on the front of the hat. The lamp bracket received patent number 1,490,831 on April 15, 1924. The bracket could hold either an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp. Originally, mining caps were worn to serve simply as a lamp holder. As miner safety became more of a concern hats began to take on the additional role of providing protection, as evidenced by the inner suspension and reinforced leather of this hat.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7914A
catalog number
MHI-MN-7914A
accession number
233577

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 19th century. The "safety" mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 19th century. The "safety" mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in glass or metal gauze prevented combustible mine gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. One problem with glass in safety lamps was the glass cracking, which occurred in this lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1003
catalog number
MHI-MI-1003
accession number
136485

Miner's Cap Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. This is a metal cap lamp with an oval shield between the lamp and the spout.
Description (Brief)
This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. This is a metal cap lamp with an oval shield between the lamp and the spout. The oval shield was a reflector for the flame, as well as protection for the hat. Interestingly, the reflector is an addition usually not seen until the advent of carbide lamps in the early 20th century.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7724
catalog number
MHI-MN-7724
accession number
235036

Miner’s Safety Lamp

Ackroyd & Best Ltd. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania made this Hailwood Improved Lamp in the early 20th century. This safety lamp has a glass enclosure around the flame, interior wire gauze, and exterior bonnet.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Ackroyd & Best Ltd. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania made this Hailwood Improved Lamp in the early 20th century. This safety lamp has a glass enclosure around the flame, interior wire gauze, and exterior bonnet.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8767
catalog number
MHI-MN-8767
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The Koehler Manufacturing Company produced this safety lamp during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
The Koehler Manufacturing Company produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. This lamp employs glass enclosure to protect the flame from extinguishing, wire gauze in the top-interior to keep the flame from escaping, and a metal bonnet exterior that serves both purposes.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8910
accession number
257812
catalog number
MHI-MN-8910

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This Clanny style safety lamp was manufactured by an unknown maker in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This Clanny style safety lamp was manufactured by an unknown maker in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. The glass prevented the flame from being extinguished, and encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp) in the mine.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9454
catalog number
MHI-MN-9454
accession number
280476

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick mining lamp was made by an unknown maker and would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick mining lamp was made by an unknown maker and would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Called a "Sunshine Lamp," the outer spout served to insulate the wick in the inner spout, thereby conducting enough heat to melt the wax in the Sunshine fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8777B
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777B

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