Kitchen and Home Systems

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, textile study, or domestic labor interpretation. Fabric Crimper (Pleating Machine) United States c.1880–1910 Cast iron with wooden handle Dating and Identification This object is best identified as a fabric crimper, also referred to as a pleating machine, designed to create uniform decorative textures in cloth. The presence of multiple ridged rollers, a hand-crank mechanism, and a stable cast iron base distinguishes it

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic life interpretation, or material culture study. Copper Wash Boiler (Laundry Boiling Tub) United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (approximately 1880–1920) Copper body with tin or galvanized lid; iron handles with wooden grips Dating and Identification This object is best identified as a copper wash boiler, sometimes referred to as a laundry boiling tub, used for heating water and boiling textiles

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, textile study, or domestic labor interpretation. Geneva Hand Fluter United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1880s–1910s) Cast iron and metal components Dating and Identification This object is identified as a hand fluter, also known as a ruffling or crimping iron, used to create decorative pleats and fluted edges in fabric. The raised lettering visible on the body reads “GENEVA HAND FLUTER,” which

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic labor study, or industrial manufacturing interpretation. Simmons Hardware Company Sad Iron United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1880s–1910s) Cast iron, wood Dating and Identification This cast iron “sad iron” is identifiable by the stamped text on the wooden handle reading “Simmons Hdw. Co. St. Louis,” referring to Simmons Hardware Company. The company was a major distributor of tools

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic technology study, or early household innovation interpretation. Bissell “Grand Rapids” Carpet Sweeper United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1890s–1910s) Wood, metal, rubber, and internal brush mechanism Provenance:  None documented Dating and Identification This manually operated carpet sweeper is identifiable as a product of Bissell through the gold lettering reading “Bissell’s Grand R

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic technology study, or mid-century consumer innovation interpretation. Durabilt “A.C.–D.C. Companion” Travel Iron United States c. 1940s (with replacement electrical cord, c. 1960s) Chrome-plated metal, plastic (handle), electrical components, replacement cord, leatherette case, textile cloth Dating and Identification This compact electric iron is identified by the stamped marking “Durabilt A.C.–D.C. Companion” o

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or domestic material culture interpretation. Taylor Roast Meat and Poultry Thermometer (Complete Set with Box and Insert) United States c. 1940s–1950s Metal, glass, printed paper, and cardboard Dating This example can be dated to the mid-twentieth century, most likely the 1940s to early 1950s , based on a combination of manufacturing details, company identification, and graphic design. The label id

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or decorative arts interpretation. Pyrex “Butterprint” Cinderella Bowl Set (Three-Piece Group) United States, Corning Glass Works c. 1957–1968 Opal (milk) glass with screen-printed enamel decoration Dating This set dates to the late 1950s through the 1960s , a period when Pyrex expanded beyond utilitarian kitchenware into highly stylized, mass-marketed consumer goods. The “Butterprint” pattern , int