Weeden Toy Steam Engine
Weeden Toy Steam Engine
Usage conditions apply
- Description (Brief)
- This toy steam engine was manufactured by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1894 until the 1940s. The first six Weeden toy steam engine models were all very similar in style, making it difficult to differentiate them. While this engine is similar in style to the Weeden engine no. 1, it is probably Weeden engine no. 3 as evidenced by the taller firebox and boiler when compared to the two previous models. The vertical toy steam engine consists of a firebox, boiler, and slide valve engine attached to a wheel.
- The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- toy, steam engine and boiler
- date made
- 1885
- Measurements
- overall: 9 in x 4 1/8 in; 22.86 cm x 10.4775 cm
- overall: 9 1/8 in x 4 1/8 in; 23.1775 cm x 10.4775 cm
- ID Number
- MC.328942
- catalog number
- 328942
- accession number
- 278175
- Credit Line
- Bequest of the Estate of Greville I. Bathe
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
- Engineering Steam Toys and Models
- Engineering, Building, and Architecture
- Family & Social Life
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
