Natural Resources
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.
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Miner’s Safety Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- The Koehler Manufacturing Company 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-8765
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-8765
- accession number
- 265669
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Miner's Cap Lamp
- 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-8777F
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-8777F
- accession number
- 265669
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Miner’s Cap with Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This cap was made by an unknown maker around the early 20th century. The cap is made of soft cotton canvas with a leather bill, and leather 'L' on the front for the attachment of the lamp. A carbide lamp (object number AG*MHI-MN-9442B) is attached to the cap.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-9442A
- accession number
- 263098
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-9442A
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
