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 Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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-8777E
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777E
accession number
265669

mining lamp

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80504Z01

Miner's Cap Lamp

This oil-wick mining lamp 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 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-7725
catalog number
MHI-MN-7725
accession number
235036

Miner’s Hand Lamp

This lamp is the top portion of the Edison Model “C” hand lantern, made during the 1930s. The portion includes the lamp’s light bulb and handle.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This lamp is the top portion of the Edison Model “C” hand lantern, made during the 1930s. The portion includes the lamp’s light bulb and handle.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8943
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-8943

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German products became unpopular. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8771
catalog number
MHI-MN-8771
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines.
Description (Brief)
The Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines. 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. This lamp has a metal tag that is numbered “269.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9757B
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9757B

Engraved wood block "Patagonians"

Joseph H. Brightly (about 1818–about 1858) of Philadelphia and New York City engraved this printing block after a drawing of Patagonians by Expedition Artist Alfred T. Agate. The wood engraving illustration was published on page 118 of Volume I of the U.S.
Description
Joseph H. Brightly (about 1818–about 1858) of Philadelphia and New York City engraved this printing block after a drawing of Patagonians by Expedition Artist Alfred T. Agate. The wood engraving illustration was published on page 118 of Volume I of the U.S. Exploring Expedition Narrative by Charles Wilkes, 1844.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1844
ca 1844
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Brightly, Joseph H.
Manning, J. H.
ID Number
1999.0145.055
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.055

Miner’s Safety Lamp Patent Model

This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by William Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio that received patent number 209,082 on October 15, 1878.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by William Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio that received patent number 209,082 on October 15, 1878. In his patent filing, Roberts claimed “the combination of the transparent shell, surrounding the flame and provided with a cap or shell, and the wire-gauze chimneys, mounted upon said cap or shell, and arranged one within the other, so as to form an annular space or chamber between them.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1878-10-15
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9740
catalog number
MHI-MN-9740
accession number
088881
patent number
209082

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9453
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9453

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John O. Davies, John O. Jones, and Timothy Thomas of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 220,582 on October 14, 1879.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John O. Davies, John O. Jones, and Timothy Thomas of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 220,582 on October 14, 1879. The patent claims as its invention “a miner's lamp consisting of an outer shell or cup, having a wick-tube and main wick combined with an oil-reservoir adapted to fit within said outer shell or cup, and having a perforated screw-cap in its bottom through which a supplemental feeding-wick passes.” The lamp kept the oil in a separate interior container to help prevent combustion.
patentee
Davies, John O.
Jones, John O.
Thomas, Timothy
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9752
catalog number
MHI-MN-9752
accession number
88881
patent number
220582

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America around the late 19th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal “bonnet” exterior to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America around the late 19th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal “bonnet” exterior to protect the flame. The "permissible" engraved on the lamp denotes that the lamp was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7765
catalog number
MHI-MN-7765
accession number
235037

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame. Safety lamps were invented in the early 19th century, and are used to this day for gas detection, even as mine lighting has been replaced by electric lights.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8763B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8763B
accession number
265669

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield.
Description (Brief)
This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield. Frank Guy partnered with George and Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp, and the lamp saw tremendous success through World War I. The Shanklin Mfg. Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, who continued to make "Guy's Dropper.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8213
catalog number
MHI-MN-8213
accession number
240547

Miner’s Cap and Carbide Lamp

This miner’s hat is made of canvas, with a leather brim and metal lamp bracket attached to the front of the cap. A miner’s carbide lamp is mounted onto the bracket. This type of hat and lamp would have been used together from around 1900 until the 1930s.
Description (Brief)
This miner’s hat is made of canvas, with a leather brim and metal lamp bracket attached to the front of the cap. A miner’s carbide lamp is mounted onto the bracket. This type of hat and lamp would have been used together from around 1900 until the 1930s. Carbide lamps consisted of two chambers, an upper chamber holding water and a lower chamber holding calcium carbide. 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 gas is funneled to the burner, where it is lit by a match or a built-in striker. Miner safety became a big issue during the early 20th century, when mining accidents hit an all-time high. Congress established the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1910 to improve miner safety, and miner’s hats began to turn to helmets, and electric lamps replaced the open flame of carbide and oil-wick lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8146
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8146

Engraved wood block "Native of Australia"

This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, page 196. The image was drawn by A. T. Agate. It was engraved by R. H.
Description (Brief)
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, page 196. The image was drawn by A. T. Agate. It was engraved by R. H. Pease, and originally printed by C. Sherman of Philadelphia in 1844.
Description
Richard H. Pease (1813–1869) engraved this printing block after a drawing, Native of Australia, by Expedition Artist Alfred T. Agate. The wood engraving illustration was published on page 196 of Volume II of the U.S. Exploring Expedition Narrative by Charles Wilkes, 1844.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1844
ca 1844
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Pease, Richard H.
original artist
Agate, A. T.
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Wilkes, Charles
ID Number
1999.0145.113
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.113

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 126,606 on May 7, 1872.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 126,606 on May 7, 1872. The patent claims as its invention “securing the lid or cap of the ordinary ‘miners' lamp’ to its body through the medium of screw-threads in the cap and on the neck of the lamp, the cap being furnished with an elastic packing-disk, air-chamber, and openings for the ingress of air.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1872-05-07
patentee
Winfield, William C.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9753
catalog number
MHI-MN-9753
accession number
088881
patent number
126606

Miner’s Electric Cap Lamp

The Hirsch Electric Mine Lamp Company manufactured this electric cap lamp during the first half of the 20th century. The battery is enclosed in metal case, with a flexible cord that runs to the lamp that was worn on the miner’s helmet.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Hirsch Electric Mine Lamp Company manufactured this electric cap lamp during the first half of the 20th century. The battery is enclosed in metal case, with a flexible cord that runs to the lamp that was worn on the miner’s helmet.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8149
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8149

Hanging Open Mining Lamp

This lamp was made by an unknown maker around middle of the 19th century. This open hanging lamp is one of the earliest examples of American mine lighting.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was made by an unknown maker around middle of the 19th century. This open hanging lamp is one of the earliest examples of American mine lighting. The lamp is relatively unrefined, simply a reservoir of oil with a wick that produced a large amount of smoke, heat, and oil drippings.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-310685
accession number
125257
catalog number
MHI-MT-310685

Miner's Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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-8777H
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777H
accession number
265669

Miner's Safety 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. 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 latter half of the 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. This Davy style lamp has the interesting addition of a lens to focus the flame's light.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1002
catalog number
MHI-MI-1002
accession number
136485

Beans Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1944-10-12
ID Number
AG.A.7589
catalog number
A.7589
accession number
198812

Bullard Hard Boiled Miner’s Helmet

This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held an electric lamp.
Description (Brief)
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held an electric lamp. The rear of the helmet has a metal cord holder. Bullard was one of the first producers of protective hard hats, basing their original design off of the “doughboy” helmets worn by World War I soldiers. The helmet was made of canvas, glue, and black paint, and given the trademarked name “Hard Boiled” because of the steam used in the manufacturing process.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8782C
catalog number
MHI-MN-8782C
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp model is an Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamp. The lamp is a “test lamp” used to measure the amount of methane in the air. The tubes that run vertically direct air to the flame at the base, which will then produce a colored “cap” in the presence of methane.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp model is an Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamp. The lamp is a “test lamp” used to measure the amount of methane in the air. The tubes that run vertically direct air to the flame at the base, which will then produce a colored “cap” in the presence of methane. The majority of Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamps were produced by John Davis & Son of Derby, Leicestershire, U.K., during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8761B
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8761B

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker 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.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-3368
accession number
239341
catalog number
MHI-MT-3368

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