Artifact. Size: 67 L x 55 H x 37 W. Material: Wood; stone; metal, copper; leather; metal, and iron.

This street grinder's cart is outfitted with double foot-treadle, wire-spoked flywheel, belt-drive, three grind stones, one buffing wheel, tiny anvil, saw vise, drip can, canister for umbrella parts, two lidded compartments (one lid missing), and a bell. There is a painted inscription on both sides with illustrations of a lawn mower, straight razor, umbrella, scissors and knife.

Traveling vendors and skilled workmen have plied their trades on city streets and country roads since colonial times. Itinerant peddlers and craftsmen multiplied after the Revolutionary War, when urban centers grew and settlement spread across the interior. Until World War II, city streets remained business thoroughfares for grinders, umbrella men, hurdy-gurdy operators, fish vendors, vegetable and fruit hawkers, milk and ice cream peddlers, junk, rag, and paper merchants, and others. Each had distinctive sing-song cries, bells, chime whistle, or horns to announce their arrival on the block.