Objects - Tools, Farm, and Home

Abrader

1975.342

Ground stone abrader.

No known VT connection.

Abrading Stone

1975.358

Unworked abrading stone with one face flattened and abraded smooth. On end is battered.

Abrading Stone

1975.405

Abrading stone with a smooth, long groove in one face, and a smooth, indented groove on the other face. It is stained with a black, tar-like substance.

Abrading Stone

1954.283.70

Ground stone abrading stone.

Collected by Emma P. Sampson

Abrading Stone

1950.27.585

Unworked stone, possibly an abrading stone. One face has an indented area along the center that is smoothed.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Monkton, Vermont

Abrading Stone

1954.283.57

Ground stone abrading stone with a pecked surface. The butt end is rounded and smaller in diameter than the other end, which is ground and polished on one side.

Collected by Emma P. Sampson in Caledonia County, Vermont

Abrading Stone

1975.352

Circular stone with a pecked surface.

Abrading Stone

1975.354

Circular stone with a pecked surface.

Air Drill

1975.505.2

Large metal air drill with a chisel bit. The word "SULLIVAN" is molded in raised letters on 2 sides of the round handle. The initials F and PF are cut below, with the serial number 3187-D-2 molded in raised letters along the handle. The carbide tip has broken off, and the air fittings are missing.

Used at Rock of Ages quarry in Barre, Vermont.

Andiron

1957.5ab

Pair of iron andirons. The base of each curves upward into a scroll at the front and sits on a U-shaped support piece.

Used in Grand Isle, Vermont

Animal Brand

1942.9

Wooden block carved into the letters "C.P" in reverse, similar to a stamp. A wooden handle protrudes from the other side.

Owned by Calvin Peabody of Topsham, Vermont

Animal Brand

1929.9.1a-c

Three wooden brands carved into the letters H, E, and G. The handles are cut with the mark, "H B Lord". They appear to be unused.

Proposed for deaccession as they have no Vermont connection and no paperwork.

Anvil Stone

1975.446

Small, ground stone anvil with dished areas on both faces.

Anvil Stone

1975.406

Small, ground stone anvil with dished areas on both faces.

Anvil Stone

1950.27.651

Ground stone anvil stone.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Rutland County or Addison County

Anvil Stone

1975.407

Small, ground stone anvil with dished areas on both faces.

Anvil Stone

1950.27.652

Ground stone anvil stone.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Rutland County or Addison County

Anvil Stone

1950.27.653

Ground stone anvil stone.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Rutland County or Addison County

Anvil Stone

1975.402

Small, ground stone anvil with dished areas on both faces.

Anvil Stone

1975.403

Small, ground stone anvil with dished areas on both faces.

Anvil Stone

1975.408

Small, ground stone anvil with a perfectly round indent in the center.

Anvil Stone

1957.25.96

Ground stone anvil stone.

Collected in the Champlain Valley between Burlington and Swanton, Vermont

Anvil Stone

1950.27.640

Ground stone anvil stone. There is a pecked, V-shaped groove in the center of each face.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Shoreham, Vermont

Apple Peeler

1972.3.2

Flat wooden board that narrows slightly at one end. On that narrower end are two pieces of wood carved to arch over another wooden cylinder. The two pieces are attached to the board with metal nails at either end.

The wooden cylinder has a handle at one end and metal tines at the other that appears to have been made from a dining fork.

Made and used by Russell Hoyt of Craftsbury, VT

Apple Peeler

2014.60.1033

Metal device known as an apple peeler or parer.

On one end, a vise with a wingnut screw holds the device to a flat surface such as a table or counter. On the side a wooden handle turns a large gear. That gear is connected via two more gears to a center column on a spring, with a horizontal blade at the end. It is also connected to a central shaft at the top of the parer with a three-pronged end.

On the base gear, from which the center column extends, is written “Patented – By H. Keyes June 17 & Dec. 16, 1856.”

When the handle is turned, it activates both the blade and the pronged end. An apple held on the pronged end would rotate around its core while the central blade would move to peel different parts of the apple on a cycle.

Patented and produced by Horatio Keyes in Leominster, MA, 1856-1857.

Apple Peeler

1964.41.2

Apple peeler with a long, flat wooden base. To one side of the base is a fork mounted on a round axel. There is a large round disk mounted near the fork. The two are connected by a leather strap, causing the fork to turn when the large wheel is turned.

Made and used by Madison Cowles of Albany, Vermont

Apple Peeler

1962.62

Metal apple peeler or parer. On one end, a vise with a wingnut screw holds the device to a flat surface such as a table or counter. On the side a wooden handle turns a large gear. That gear is connected via two more gears to a center column on a spring, with a horizontal blade at the end. It is also connected to a central shaft at the top of the parer with a three-pronged end. The large gear is labeled, "Manuf'd by C.E. Hudson, Leominster, Mass, Pat'd Jan. 24, 82".

Used by Cynthia T. Pollard

Ashtray

2020.22.31a-e

Ashtray in the shape of a birdbath. The base of the ashtray is turned wood in the shape of a stem glass or pedestal and is printed with the words, "Beach Have, N. J." A small, clear glass dish fits into the top of the base. Two blue-painted wooden birds sit on the edge of the base piece, attaching with small wooden dowels. The ashtray is in its original box, which is printed on the side with an image of a maple leaf and the label, "Newtco MAPLYNE". The top is printed in black with rectangles blocking the original red label, and the black words, "1 Pc. No. 948 BIRD BATH ASH TRAY".

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Ashtray

2020.22.37ab

Small ashtray consisting of a shallow glass dish set into a round wooden stand. The stand has spokes evenly placed around the edge to look like a ship's wheel. The stand is on three peg feet, turned in the same way as the spokes.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Ashtray

2020.22.36ab

Small wooden ashtray with napkin holder. The ashtray is round with spokes to look like a ship's wheel. The center is hollowed out and a clear glass dish is placed inside. At the back is a raised semicircular portion with a slot cut across the center for holding napkins.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Atlatl Weight

1954.5.10

Ground stone atlatl weight. It is completely ground and polished. It consists of a single wing and is broken along the central hole. There are two holes drilled near the break, possibly as a repair attempt. There is incised line decoration on one face.

Collected by Lyle Hanson in Fair Haven, Vermont, or Lake George, New York

Atlatl Weight

1954.5.6

Ground stone atlatl weight. It is completely ground and polished with a thick center and thin edge. It appears to have broken along the central hole.

Collected by Lyle Hanson in Fair Haven, Vermont, or Lake George, New York

Awl

1972.36.1d

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and curved metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1e

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and curved metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1f

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and curved metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1g

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and curved metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1h

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and curved metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1j

Awl with bulbous, turned wooden handle and short metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1972.36.1k

Awl with turned wooden handle and straight metal spike.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Awl

1975.34a-e

Set of five awls, each with turned wooden handle and slightly curved metal spikes.

Awl

1982.15.1ab

Harness maker's awl with a hollow, turned wood handle. The end of the handle unscrews and holds five interchangeable tips, one of which is a screwdriver.

Used in Randolph, Vermont

Awl

1982.15.2

Short-spiked awl with turned own handle. The end of the handle is reinforced with a metal ring.

Used in Randolph, Vermont

Awl

1982.15.3

Harness maker's awl with a turned wooden handle. The handle flares outward to the end and is molded with indent, creating a knob on the end. The tip is set almost perpendicularly into the handle, and the end is curved.

Used in Randolph, Vermont

Awl

1994.41.1

Awl made of whale bone. It has a rectangular top portion with a elongated diamond-shaped pointed bottom section. There are irregularities in the bone show that show holes and slight color changes.

Made by Nathaniel Burbank of South Walden, Vermont.

Awl

1994.41.2

Small awl made of whalebone. The handle is a flat paddle shape with a round hold in the center, and there is a tapered spike on one end.

Made by Nathaniel Burbank of South Walden, Vermont.

Awl Bits

1972.36.1m

Box contains seven Awl bits and 30 metal shoe pegs.

Used by Arthur Loomis in Burlington, Vermont

Ax

1960.65.4

Ground stone ax.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.95.8

Large, ground stone ax head

Likely collected near Weybridge, Vermont

Ax

1992.42

Double-bitted axe with wooden handle. The blade is sharpened on both sides with the handle inserted in the center. The far end of the handle flares out.

Made by the Rixford Company of East Highgate, Vermont. Owned by William Osgood of Northfield, Vermont, and Shelburne, Vermont.

Ax

1975.103.2

Large, ground stone ax head

Likely collected near Vernon, Vermont

Ax

1975.338

Ground stone ax head.

Collected in Waddington, New York. No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.329

Ground stone ax head.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.339

Ground stone ax head.

Ax

1954.283.62

Ground stone ax head. It is flat on one side and rouded on the other.

Collected by Emma P. Sampson in Caledonia County, Vermont

Ax

1975.330

Ground stone ax head.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.331

Ground stone ax head.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.332

Ground stone ax head.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1975.333

Ground stone ax head.

Collected in Warren, Vermont

Ax

1950.27.679

Ground stone ax head.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock

Ax

1975.341

Ground stone ax head.

No known VT connection.

Ax

1950.27.596

Grooved stone ax head.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock

Ax

1950.27.120

Ground stone ax head with a full groove on one side. The other side is ungrooved. There edges and base are chipped.

Collected by Harry M. Woodcock in Rutland County or Addison County.

Ax

1975.494.15

Single bitted steel axe with wooden handle marked "R37/ RIXFORD /3"

Made in Highgate, Vermont

Ax

1975.437

Large, ground and polished stone ax.

Collected near Gila River, Arizona. No known VT connection.

Ax

1954.283.141

Ground stone ax head.

Collected by Emma P. Sampson in Caledonia County, Vermont

Ax Head

1950.27.712

Small ax or tomahawk blade with a large opening for the handle and a knob at the reverse. The metal creating the loop for the handle is decorated with incised triangles.

Collected by Harry Woodcock. Note with accession record says that this was made for trade by the French.

Ax Head

1950.27.711

Iron ax head with spatula-shaped blade, a small opening for a handle, and a curved, pointed hook. From a collection assembled by Harry Woodcock.

Collected by Harry Woodcock. Note with accession record says that this was made for trade by the French.

Baby Carriage

1971.11.3

Silver-painted wicker baby carriage. The body of the carriage is formed from wicker, both woven and bent and curlicues. There is an padded seat toward the back of the body, with tufted upholstery in gold silk damask. There are four, large wheels. A large lace umbrella attaches to the carriage and back right, shielding the passenger from sunlight.

Used to push Warren Bailey Lowe in Montpelier, Vermont

Balance

2006.42.14

This is a spring balance scale which measures the weight of items hung from the hook -- such as loose items in a bag or bucket.

Used by the Sumner family in Danby, Vermont.

Balance Scale

2021.28.1

Balance scale consisting of a horizontal bar balanced on two vertical supports. The base is shaped like an arrowhead. A round, wire holder hangs from a hook on one end of the bar. The center of the bar is marked with hash lines.

Made by Fairbanks Scales in St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Balance Scale

1942.13ab

Metal balance scale consisting of a bar with three hooks at the one end. The counterweight is missing.

Likely used in Rutland, Vermont

Balance Scale Weight

1963.19.5

Round metal weight with a hook attached to one side. It weighs 2.5 pounds.

Made by Jeremiah Batchelder in Barre, Vermont

Bale Markers

2021.5.33a-y

25 metal bale markers. The markers are small metal circles, each stamped with a number or initials.

Marked with station codes of train stations within and surrounding Vermont

Bale Seal

2017.3.11

Round metal disk with the number 116 impressed in the center.

Ballpoint Pen

2000.19.8

Blue and white retractable ballpoint pen with white lettering that reads, "Trinity College of Vermont".

Made for Trinity College of Vermont, a college in Burlington, Vermont, from 1925 to 2000.

Band Saw

1976.14.1

Large wooden band saw. The saw sits on a wooden base with holes to bolt to the floor. There are two wheels above and below the work table that move the band saw blade. The side is stenciled with the words, "Mfg by F. Grout, Derby, VT. Patent applied for."

Made by B. F. Grout in Derby, Vermont

Bandbox

1954.40.8g

Small bentwood bandbox.

No known VT connections.

Bandbox

1964.63.172

Wooden bandbox with lid that comes off. Writing on the top says it was sent by a couple from Carolles, which is located on the northern coast of France. The lid has come apart.

Given to the people of Vermont from the people of France as part of the Merci Train after World War II.

Bandbox

1972.28.16ab

Round box with removable lid. The box is covered in wallpaper printed with a blue and white floral border design. The center top of the lid has an oval 3/4-length portrait of a man wearing a suit. The interior of the lid is lined with a newspaper dated 1863.

Owned by Melvina Angeline Smith Maxham in Middlesex, Vermont

Bandbox

1976.43.208a-b

Oval bandbox covered in printed wallpaper. The wallpaper is printed with a maple leaf pattern in green, red, and orange.

Bannerstone

1954.5.3

Ground stone double-winged bannerstone without the central hole. There is incised line decoration on one face.

Collected by Lyle Hanson in Fair Haven, Vermont, or Lake George, New York

Bannerstone

1954.5.8

Ground stone double-winged bannerstone with a central groove on both faces. There are shallower grooves running parallel to the central groove on either side.

Collected by Lyle Hanson in Fair Haven, Vermont, or Lake George, New York

Basket

1983.12.1a-b

Covered basket made in the Abenaki tradition. It has slightly flared sides and a deep lid. A row of cowis (3 dimensional woven curls) is around the bottom, and another double row about midway up the basket. The cover also has a double row of cowis. The basket has a solid ash handle, about 1/2" wide. The inside rim of basket shows a single row of purple dyed ash.

Made by an unrecorded Abenaki artisan, and owned by Carroll White in South Walden, VT

Basket

1921.1

Round birchbark basket. The basket is formed from a single piece of birchbark, stitched in four seams to form a bowl. The edge is whip stitched. It is coated in a modern varnished that is yellowed.

Said to have belonged to Ira Allen.

Basket

2017.3.1

Rectangular basket made from thin wooden splints. The basket is stamped around the top and bottom with a quatrefoil design, and one splint near the top is dyed blue.

Made in Vernon, Vermont

Basket

2017.3.2

Basket with a round top and square bottom. The basket is made from thin splints of wood in varying width, and the outside is decorated with woven loops, or cowis. It is signed in ink on the bottom, "Leland Krook/Sept 1903".

Made by Leland Krook in Vermont in 1903.

Basket

2017.3.3

Round basket with deep, round cover. The basket is made from thin splints of wood in consistent widths with a row of woven loops, or cowis, decorating the center. The basket is dated in ink on the bottom, "June 1943".

Made a member of the LaPan in Vermont in 1943.

Basket

2017.3.4

Long, rectangular basket woven from thin wooden splints. The splints are narrow and the top and bottom of the basket, with two wide splits running along the center. The wide splints are painted with an alternating pattern of a green leaf and a pink and yellow arch.

Made in Cambridge, Vermont

Basket

2004.18.1a-b

Round basket and lid woven from split and plaited sweetgrass. The Lid is woven in alternating sections of black-dyed weavers and plaited sweetgrass with six splint loops at the center. The basket is made of black-dyed splint weavers at the bottom and plaited sweetgrass at the top.

Owned by the Martin or Johnson families of Plainfield, Vermont

Basket

2004.18.2

Round splint basket accented with sweetgrass. The basket has red and blue dyed weavers, worked in 1/3 and 2/3 of the way down the basket. There are two plaited handles on either side that are tied together with a piece of jute.

Owned by a member of the Martin or Johnson families.

Basket

2023.13.1

Large bushel basket with Sweetser-style bottom and 2 u-shaped wooden handles. The bottom is woven of wooden splints, and the top edge is reinforced with multiple splints wrapped with another narrow splint.

Made by a member of the Sweetser family. Owned by a member of the Dopp family in South Burlington, Vermont

Basket

2013.4.3

Ash splint basket decorated all over the exterior with red-dyed curl work. The top part of the basket is round, and it sits on a square base. The shoulder between the upper portion and the base is reinforced with the use of narrower weavers. The rim is lashed with 1/4"-wide splint. There is a penciled "X" at the center bottom and pencil lines radiating outward from the center to each of the four sides of the base.

Attributed to Seymour L. Morehouse of Westford, Vermont

Basket

2023.13.2

Large bushel basket with Sweetser-style bottom. The bottom is woven of wooden splints, and the top edge is reinforced thick, curved splits nailed into place. There are 2 u-shaped connectors attached to the top, through which is u-shaped wooden handle that spans the width of the basket. The handle can be laid down, but only in one direction.

Made by a member of the Sweetser family. Owned by a member of the Dopp family in South Burlington, Vermont

Basket

2009.47

Splint basket with rounded sides pulling in a bit at the top. The rim is two half round pieces of wood that sandwich the top of the stakes. It is lashed with 1/4" wide splint. There are two elongated metal "U" shaped pieces that are tightly lashed into the rim on opposite sides of the round top. The rounded bottoms stick up above the rim and lower legs fold over the bottom of the rim. The metal bail handle loops into the "U". The basket's ribs (20x2) are narrower at the bottom and top and wider in the middle giving the basket a round shape. Written in pencil on the bottom of the basket is the inscription "Seymour Lamson Morehouse / Westford Vermont / His Make"

Made by Seymour Lamson Morehouse in Westford, Vermont

Basket

1976.10.11

Brown ash basket with attached cover and rigid upright handle.

Owned by Ebenezer and Rozell Huntoon Peaslee, likely in New Hampshire

Basket

1973.12.1

Small, round basket made of brown ash splints with a wooden handle. The edge is reinforced with bent wood strips nailed on the interior and exterior. The outside of the rim and center bottom rib are marked "P-2-41 / 200" in pencil.

Made by Bell Sweetser Perry of Waterbury, Vermont

Basket

1973.12.2

Half bushel basket made of brown ash splint. The basket has a wooden handle that can swivel on two u-shaped wooden pieces.

Made by Sam Sweetser as a wedding gift to Belle Sweetser and Sam Perry in Waterbury, Vermont, 1909.

Basket

1975.26.3

Oval basket with cover. The cover is hinged with two small strips of willow. The basket sides and the center of the lid are decorated with woven loops, or cowis.

Owned by Katie Allen Vail of Danby, Vermont.

Basket

1975.496

Tall basket of woven birch bark. The base of the basket is square while the opening is round.

Made by Anna Miettinen in Bethel, Vermont

Basket

1986.16.1a-b

Splint basket with two handles and a cover. The basket flares out in the middle and again slightly at the top. It has a rectangular cover and base. The center line of the basket and the sides of the cover are decorated with woven loops or cowis. The two handles attach to large loops, allowing them to move. The interior is marked, "HGA" and "HG Allen".

Basket

1982.5.1a-b

Urn-shaped basket of woven brown ash split. The body of the basket is very narrow at the base, flaring outward dramatically to the top quarter, the curving back inward. The lid is a shallow round, significantly larger than the basket's opening. The rigid, stationery handle attaches to the basket at the widest point.

Made by Newton Everett Washburn of Stowe, Vermont.

Basket

2014.31.1

Rectangular basket with a solid wooden base and flaring sides. The sides are woven from round reeds and topped with a plait of reeds. The vertical ribs are inserted into holes drilled through the base. There is a paper label on the bottom of the basket that reads, "ARTICLE NO . . . . . From S. B. SMITH. Manufacturer of Reed AND Rattan Chairs, Montpelier, Vermont.

Made by S. B. Smith in Montpelier, Vermont

Basket

2014.31.2

Rectangular basket with a solid wooden base and flaring sides. The sides are woven from round reeds and topped with a plait of reeds. The vertical ribs are inserted into holes drilled through the base.

Made by S. B. Smith in Montpelier, Vermont

Basket

1990.33.1

Abenaki-style basket with three rows of curls or cowis on the sides. The basket is formed into a square, with narrow weavers toward the base and three wide weavers forming the bulk of the sides. The top edge is reinforced with thicker splint. The cowis were red but are now faded on the exterior.

Made by an unrecorded Abenaki artisan in Addison, Vermont

Basket

1990.33.2

Round coiled basket made of pine needles. The basket is filled with miscellaneous material, included spools of thread, buttons, plastic charms, a pencil, paper hearts, a money clip, and metal Red Cross clip-on buttons.

Made by an unidentified Abenaki craftsperson in Addison County, Vermont

Basket

1990.33.3a-b

Square sweetgrass and splint basket. The splines and some weavers have been dyed red. Halfway up the sides of the basket are rows splint weavers creating a 3/4-inch stripe. The lid also has a 3/4"-inch stripe of red splint weavers across the center. The handle is braided sweetgrass that is anchored on both ends with loops of sweetgrass attaching back at the anchor. The edges are bound bundles of sweetgrass attached with a narrow red splint. The contents of basket include ribbon sewn into a pocket/sachet, embroidery floss, a lace medallion, a ring box, tissue paper, plastic, crocheted lace, ribbon and more.

Made by an unrecorded Abenaki artisan in Addison, Vermont

Basket

1990.33.4a-b

Small splint and sweetgrass basket. The sides of the basket are decorated with splint loops, or cowis. The splines were dark green (color visible on the bottom and interior) but have faded significantly. The round lid or cover is all sweetgrass woven through very narrow splint splines.

The basket was given with its contents, which include: hairpins, mother of pearl buttons, seashells, straight pins, a small button reading "The Kings Business", and other miscellania.

Made by an unnamed Abenaki artisan in Addison, Vermont.

Basket

1990.33.5a-b

Small sweetgrass basket and cover. Both the round basket and round cover are sweetgrass woven around purple-dyed splints. An additional purple-dyed splint reinforces the basket's opening. The central loop of the lid was once purple, but has significantly faded.

Made by an unnamed Abenaki artisan in Addison, Vermont

Basket

2010.71

Round basket with a square base and bale handle. The basket is woven with flat pieces of wood (splits) and has stripes in green and red. The rim around the top is nailed, as is the handle.

Made by Frank Sweetser of Morrisville, VT in exchange for a pair of mittens made by Imelda Lepine.

Basket

2022.9.1a-b

Large basket with lid. The rectangular basket and lid are woven with ash splints. Some of the splits are dyed blue, and others are decorated with red spots and faces.

Given to Malonia Howe Blanchard of East Roxbury, Vermont, by Indigenous Americans in payment for caring for their baby during the winter while they travelled from Montreal to Boston.

Basket

2011.16

Large basket with Sweetser-style bottom. The basket is woven of wooden splints, and the top edge is reinforced with nailed-on splits at both the exterior and interior. There are two U-shaped handles on either side of the rim.

Likely made by a member of the Sweetser family

Basket

1960.6.3

Oval-shaped wicker basket. The basket is woven of groups of 7 wicker reeds held in a plain weave, giving a scalloped effect to the top edge.

Used on Governor Samuel Craft's desk

Basket

1975.500

Double-welled basket made of pine roots and branches. The basket has a stationary wooden handle across the top.

Made by August Keen of Stowe, Vermont

Basket

1951.41

Oval woven basket with a central handle. The basket has two hinged lids that open on either edge, hinging across the center beneath the handle.

Basket

2021.32.1a-b

Large bushel basket with Sweetser-style bottom. The bottom is woven of wooden splints, and the top edge is reinforced with multiple splints wrapped with another narrow splint. Where the splint wrapping is missing, it has been replaced with wire. One of the U-shaped handles is no longer attached.

Made by a member of the Sweetser family. Owned by a member of the Dopp family in South Burlington, Vermont

Basket

1957.21

Large, shallow basket loosely woven from ash splints in a caning pattern.

Basket

1975.501

Round-bottomed basket made with pine roots and branches. There is a stationary wooden handle across the top.

Made by August Keen of Stowe, Vermont

Basket

1965.24

Round-bodied basket with moveable handle. The basket is formed with U-bent splines.

Owned by Moses Vilas of Johnson, Vermont

Bed Warmer

1967.99

Bed warmer, or free stone, made of a large, square piece of soapstone. A heavy-gauge wire is inserted into the sides and bent to form a handle.

Used by the Karl E. Carter family in Corinth, Vermont

Bed Warmer

1964.63.175

A bed warmer with a long wooden handle and a metal pan with holes on the top. The lid on the pan opens to allow for inserting whatever would create heat -- coals? rocks?

Given to the people of Vermont from the people of France as part of the Merci Train after World War II.

Bed Warmer

1976.43.128

Bed warmer consisting of a round pan and long wooden handle. The pan has an attached lid that hinges open at the handle. The lid is pierced with circles around the edge.

Bed Warmer

1921.3

Bed warmer consisting of a round pan and long wooden handle. The pan has an attached lid that hinges open at the handle. The lid is pierced with circles in a pattern of four daisies.

Owned by Colonial Jacob Davis, who moved to Montpelier, Vermont, in 1788.

Bed Warmer

1980.18.2

Dark gray soapstone footwarmer. The initials "L.A.L." are carved on front. There are two holes were drilled to hold a wire handle that is no longer present.

Used by members of the Lawson family

Bedkey

1976.33.19

Wooden bedkey made from 2 pieces: the body and the handle. The body has a hole at one end and 2 prongs on the other. The handle is a turned dowel inserted through the hole.

Bedkey

1967.42

Wooden bedkey with a hole on one end and two prongs on the other.

Owned by Jesse Harvey of Deerfield, New Hampshire. No VT connection.

Bee Box

1989.21.3

Wooden box with a protruding upper handle. The front of the box has a round hole at the center top and a sliding panel with three finger indentations at the bottom. The left side has a small pull-out drawer with a round wooden knob. The drawer sits under the round hole. The inside of the top sliding panel is signed, "Geo. Pierce". The back of the box is inscribed with three circles.

Made by George Pierce of Waitsfield, Vermont

Beehive

1994.8a-c

Red-painted wooden beehive. The hive consists of a lower box and 2 upper drawers, each drilled with several access holes.

Patented by John M. Weeks and called the Vermont Beehive

Beehive

1965.22.2

Green-painted wooden beehive. The have has 2 drawers: the top is shallow, taking up 1/4 of the hive, and the bottom is deep, taking up the rest of the hive. The top piece of the hive is removable. Inside, the hive is divided into several small, rectangular compartments using thin, interlocking wooden dividers.

Beeswax

1966.15.47

Irregularly shaped lump of beeswax. The wax is incised in several places across the top from waxing thread.

Used in Northfield, Vermont

Bell

1953.52.6

Round, ball-shaped bell. There are four holes holes punched around the top, and the bottom is slitted. There is a metal ball inside and a square bracket at the top.

Used by Enoch Day in Ludlow, Vermont

Bell

1965.27

Large bell held in a cast iron frame. The upper portion of the frame sits in to vertical posts, allowing the bell to be swung by pulling the large handle on the left side. It is molded with the inscription, "Manchester Locomotive". The whole is attached to a square pedestal with the label, "Bell from locomotive "Arthur Tandy", ca. 1890 Montpelier and Wells River Railroad.

From a train on the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad in Vermont.

Bell

1953.52.7

Small metal bell, with the clapper intact.

Owned by Enoch Day of Ludlow, Vermont

Bellows

2014.60.1019

Small, household bellows consisting of wooden sides and leather connections. Attachment is made by using five tacks. The fixed leaf is made of soft wood that is 3/8" thick. In the broad part of the leaf is a 1" hole, which has a flap-type intake valve on the inside. The top leaf is similar to the fixed leaf, but about 1 1/2" shorter. The leather bellows material is stiffened by an internal hoop which keeps the leather extended on the bellows intake stroke. The top leaf is hinged to the bottom leaf by carrying the bellows leather at the junction up over the top of the leaf.

Bellows

2014.35.1

This is a fireplace bellows that is made of carved wood, metal, and leather. The front side of the bellows is delicately hand-carved to resemble the face of a man with acanthus leaf designs stemming outward around the face. The back side is also carved with an open circular hole in the center, surrounded by curved lines that spiral outward, with a decorative border around the edges.

The handles of the bellows are also carved, with a tapered shape and beveled, bulbous areas at the top for grasping. The back handle has a small double rectangular strap attached, which is most likely used for hanging the object. The spout on the end of the bellows is curved and slightly tapered, with a slightly split opening.

The leather is tanned and slightly worn and is attached to the wooden carved pieces with metal nails that have developed a slight blue patina around the outer edges. The wood and leather are varying shades of dark brown overall.

Made by Albert H. Whittekind in Winooski, Vermont. Used in the home, "The Pinnacle", on Lake Champlain.

Bench Plane

2004.37.92

Bench plane consisting of a metal woodworking plane imbedded into a white painted wooden board.

Birdstone

1975.376

Ground marble birdstone in the shape of a bird's head. The head is rising from a platform and has large, bulbous eyes. The remaining polished surfaced is stained red (possibly from ochre) and green (possibly from copper oxide).

Collected in Swanton, Vermont.

Birdstone

1958.1.2

Ground stone birdstone. It has a long bar-shaped body with a turned-up tail. The head is broken at the point of the bulbous eyes. There are two holes drilled diagonally at each end on the bottom.

Collected in Royalton, Vermont

Bit

1952.29.2d

Metal drill bit. The bit is flared at the end to make large, round holes.

Note says, "Tools used by his grandfather Taylor in Barre"; however, his father was born in England, and we can find no record of his grandfather, suggesting that he was in England as well.

Block

2017.10.154

Small rectangular block of light-colored wood with hole in one end, possibly for inserting a file point.; homemade; 3 ½" x ¾".

This was in the toolbox of Dwight Joseph Dwinell, who carved the second Ceres statue at the top of the cupola of the Capitol Building.

Blotter

1958.1.4

Ink blotter in the shape of a medicine bottle. The blotter shows a green bottle filled with round tablets and a reproduction of the label on a bottle of Lactopeptine tablets. The face has several ink marks, including the word "Rugg" written across the center.

Owned by Harold G. Rugg in Hartford, VT

Boatstone

1954.283.63

Ground stone boat stone.

Collected by Emma P. Sampson in Caledonia County, Vermont

Boatstone

1954.5.1

Ground stone boatstone.

Collected by Lyle Hanson in Fair Haven, Vermont, or Lake George, New York

Bobbin

1955.8.1b

Wooden bobbin from a spinning wheel. The body of the bobbin is a piece of straight metal, with a wooden outside spanning most of the length, and leaving the ends of the metal exposed. Attached near the base of the wood are two wooden circles, both chipped. A third circle is further up on the handle, and above it is an arch shape formed by two pieces of joined wood. The arch has several metal hooks attached to either side. The body of the bobbin has a two lengths of linen thread wrapped around it, one in the middle, and one above the section where the arch is joined.

Bobbin

2020.26.3

Long black bobbin. The bobbin has a metal cap at the top and steps outward to form a cone at the bottom. There are small holes drilled throughout.

Made by Burlington Bobbin Mill in Burlington, Vermont

Bobbin

2020.26.4

Cylindrical green bobbin. The bobbin has a brass cap at the top and silver-toned metal base. There are ridges molded into the shaft of the bobbin every 3/4-inch.

Made by Burlington Bobbin Mill in Burlington, Vermont

Bobbin

1962.35a-c

Wooden bobbin. The bobbin is turned, meaning the wood has been shaped with a lathe. There is a wooden semi-domed shape on either end, and the middle is wound with linen thread.

The thread was raised and processed in Duxbury, Vermont.

Boiling Stone

1975.161

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Boiling Stone

1975.162

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Boiling Stone

1975.163

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Boiling Stone

1975.166

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Boiling Stone

1975.167

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Boiling Stone

1951.33.559

Small, smooth unworked river cobble.

Collected in Vergennes, Vermont

Bolts

2017.10.105a-f

Three bolts and three wingnuts. The bolts have large, flat heads.

This was in the toolbox of Dwight Joseph Dwinell, who carved the second Ceres statue at the top of the cupola of the Capitol Building.

Boot Hook

1924.1a-b

Boot hook consisting of a heavy-gauge metal wire bent into a hook shape and inserted perpendicular to a white bone handle.

Boot Hook

1972.10.1

Boot hook consisting of a metal hook attached perpendicularly to a turned wooden handle. The end of the hook is rounded.

No VT connection.

Boot Stretcher

1965.20.4ab

Two wooden boot stretchers. The stretchers consist of a piece of wood shaped into a curved L with notches at the heel.

Bootjack

2010.31.4

This is a wooden bootjack that has a unique tear drop opening and is designed to be hung on the wall. The wide end of the tear drop opening appears to be split open, although this was not part of the original design. Additionally, there is a hole on the top of the bootjack which can be used to hang it on the wall.

Beneath the bootjack, there is a support that measures 3.88 inches in length, 1.5 inches in width, and 0.75 inches in height. The support is held in place with square nails. The wood of the bootjack has never been painted.

Used by a member of the Simmons family in Bennington, Vermont

Bootjack

1929.3.1

Bootjack formed from a single board of wood. The wood is cut into the shape of a Y, tapering almost to a point at one end and splitting into two points at the other.

Owned by Epaphrus "Bull" Chase

Bootjack

1960.94.1

Wooden boot jack consisting of a board with rounded ends. One end of the board has a small, round hole, presumably for hanging, while the other has a very large round hole. A smaller block of wood is secured near the large hole.

Likely used by the George family in East Calais, Vermont

Bottle

2020.22.121ab

Turned wooden bottle with screw-on lid. The bottle is ink stained around the opening and on the inside of the lid.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Bottle Closure

2022.56.5e

Cardboard retail box containing cellophane squares. The box is labeled "Quicaps SANITARY BOTTLE CLOSURES".

Used at private maternity hospital in Jeffersonville during WWII. The hospital was run out of a house by Dr. Roger W. Mann.

Bottle Cover

2020.22.120

Wooden bottle cover with glass bottle inside. The cover is turned with four beads around the top and bottom of the bottle. The glass bottle is held in the cover by a screw-on metal lid.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Bottle Cover

2020.22.122

Wooden, jug-shaped bottle cover with a glass bottle inside. The bottle is held into the cover with a metal cap. The cover has a chip, which may be from a missing handle.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Bottle Cover

2020.22.123a-b

Turned wooden bottle cover with clear glass bottle. The cover has straight sides that taper inward toward the top. The bottom is made from a separate piece that is slightly bulbous. The bottle has straight sides, and the top is molded for a screw-on cap.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Bottle Holder

2012.58.27a-b

This is a bottle holder branded as "Mothers Helper." It consists of a series of springs that are attached to the side rails of a baby's crib. By placing a feeding bottle, pacifier, or toy in the center springs, it can hold the object in place above the baby. The hooks located at either end of the device appear to be made of brass.

The product is packaged in a bag that features a sketch of a baby in a crib, with the Mothers Helper holding a bottle. The directions on the bag explain how to use the device for feeding or playing, as well as how to make adjustments. The bag indicates that a patent application had been submitted, and the Mothers Helper was manufactured by Allen Knight, based in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Produced by Allen Knight in St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Bottle Openers

2022.3.2a-b

Two metal bottle openers attached with a beaded chain. One is stamped with the inscription, "EMILIO'S DELICATESSEN MIDDLEBURY, VT." The other is stamped with the inscription, "VERMONT GREEN MT. STATE" and an outline of the state of Vermont.

Box

2020.22.30ab

Wooden trinket box in the shape of a wheelbarrow or wagon. The box has two disk wheels and a peg stand. The side opposite the wheels has a horizontal handle spanning the width. The whole is painted red, and the lid is printed with the words, "Randolph, Vt."

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, Vermont

Box

2020.22.116ab

Small rectangular box with a sliding lid and a stamp. The corners of the box are held with glued box joints.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1959.63.10b

Painted tin box with hinged lid. The lid secures with a metal strap at the center front over a metal loop on the box. The box and lid are painted yellow with a design of green leaves and pink fruits and flowers.

Likely owned in East Calais, Vermont

Box

2020.22.117ab

Small square box with a sliding lid and a stamp. The corners of the box are held with glued box joints. There is a small line carved into the end of the lid to grip while opening. There is a piece of paper inserted into the box.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.99ab

Cylindrical, turned wooden box. There is paper label on the top that reads, "AS A [illeg]OIST. NO. 104 USED FOR BICYCLES. NO. 25 TYING HORSES WHILE GROOMING."

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2016.53.1.2a-b

Small round band box.

Box

1953.18.13a-b

Oval wallpaper covered bandbox. The interior is lined with letters.

Owned by Ella Day

Box

1953.18.21a-b

Square wallpaper-covered box. The wall paper is block-printed with red flowers with green foliage and blue-and-red scrolls. The edges of the box and the corners of the lid are edged with a strip of blue paper. The lid is labeled in pencil with "Mrs. Day", and the bottom of the box is labeled, "1938, about 80 years old made by Olive Hale Barton".

Made by Olive Hale Barton of Ludlow, Vermont

Box

2003.71a-b

Wooden shipping crate. The crate is papered on all sides with decorative floral paper. One side has the label, "MANDARIN L/W FINEST HYSON NO 12 SEUQUA". The top has a small shipping label nailed to the center that reads, "FROM A. S. HYDE. DEALER IN W. I. GOODS AND CHOICE FAMILY GROCERIES, TEAS. COFFEE. SPICES. Kerosene Oil and Burning Fluid. NO. 2 DARROW BLOCK, ST. ALBANS, VT." It is hand addressed to "A. Hyde Grinnell East Georgia, Vt."

Shipped from A. S. Hyde of St. Albans, Vermont, to A. Hyde Grinnell of East Georgia, Vermont. After it’s original use, Sarah Ann Hyde used the box to store her diaries, which are house in the Vermont Historical Society archives.

Box

1957.25.58

Small carved wooden box. The sides are carved with art nouveau daffodils over a roughly carved and burned ground. The center of the lid has a carved and painted green monogram of the initials HGR. The inside is decoratively burned into a basket weave patter.

Owned by Harold Goddard Rugg in Harland, Vermont

Box

2020.22.100ab

Cylindrical turned box with lid. The convex box has reeding around the top and base as well as a drilled hole in the lower half. The lid has the inked inscription "Duplicate of sample [illeg] for Vale Co." Inside the box is a paper note saying, "These were made June 4--1900/Both cover and mug [illeg]."

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.32ab

Wooden ring box in the shape of an apple. The box is painted red and the words, "Rutland, Vt." are printed on one side. The center of the lid has a brown wooden peg with green fabric leaves. A round, green cardboard tag is attached to the peg with a green string and is printed with the inscription, "A LOSER YOU WILL NEVER BE IF YOU PLACE YOUR RING INSIDE OF ME".

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.88ab

Small round ring or pill box.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1972.28.15

Rectangular box decorated with a rococo floral design on the top and a print of a building on inside. Above the print are the initials, "L.A."

Owned by Melvina Angeline Smith Maxham of Middlesex, Vermont

Box

1972.28.17

Paper covered box with a decorative advertisement for seeds on the lid. Both the box and lid are covered in pink, floral and star printed paper. The top of the lid has an applied advertisement showing a bundle of flowers and strawberries with the inscription, "Vick's Choice Seeds / James Vick, Rochester.

Owned by Melvina Angeline Smith Maxham of Middlesex, Vermont.

Box

1959.58.3

Wooden box with finger-jointed corners. The box has a lid that hinges upward at the back with two small, metal hinges. There is a metal clasp at the center front, attached to the lid. The interior of the box is unfinished.

Likely made in East Calais, Vermont

Box

2020.22.119ab

Small rectangular box with a sliding lid and a stamp. The corners of the box are held with glued box joints. One side of the box has a portion of a paper label that reads, "No. 30. RECTAL SUPPOSITORY".

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1959.63.10a

Painted tin box with hinged lid. The lid secures with a metal strap at the center front over a metal loop on the box. The box and lid are painted yellow with a design of green leaves and pink fruits and flowers.

Likely owned in East Calais, Vermont

Box

1966.2.10a-b

Rectangular, red-painted wooden box with loose lid and nailed corners. The lid lifts open with no hinges or closing mechanism, indicating the box may have been a shipping container rather than one meant to be regularly used. The top of the lid is framed with narrow, raised boards, though one side is now missing. One of the short ends is painted with either Chinese or Japanese characters running up the left side. A paper label on the same end bears the inked inscription, "HELEN TYLER/HER BOX./Daughter of Royall Tyler/and Laura Britton Keyes/his wife./Died September 18[49]50 aged 4/years."

Used by Helen Tyler of Brattleboro, Vermont

Box

2020.22.89ab

Cylindrical turned wood box with lid. The box opens near the halfway point.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.38ab

Trinket box in the shape of a woman. The box is cylindrical. The lid is a dome topped with a simplistic figure made of turned pieces of wood: a vasiform peg form the body and head, and two drumstick-shaped pieces form the arms.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1986.7.1

Long, rectangular wooden box with sliding lid and box-jointed corners. The lid bears two pasted-on paper labels: a large, white (now yellowed) label and a small red label. The large label is addressed by hand to "Hon. Chas. Dewey/Montpelier, Vermont" and is printed with the inscription, "BURLINGTON SHIRT CO.,/MANUFACTURERS OF/Shirts, Collars, Cuffs, and Underwear./CUSTOM WORK A SPECIALTY/Burlington . . . Vermont." The smaller label is printed with, "United States & Canada/EXPRESS/Burlington VT."

Used by Burlington Shirt Company in Burlington, VT to ship goods to Hon. Charles Dewey in Montpelier, VT.

Box

2020.22.33ab

Souvenir trinket box in the shape of a teapot. The box is painted white and the lid is painted red. The words, "Beach Haven, N. J.", are printed onto the side.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, Vermont

Box

2020.22.90ab

Small round ring or pill box.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1960.117

Rectangular wooden box with nailed corner joints that hinges open at the center. The box opens to reveal to covered halves, each with their own locks. One side is labeled "Grand Jury" and the other is labeled "Standing Jury." The covers open up to small pigeon holes labeled with the names of towns and villages. In one half, the pigeon holes are filled with square pieces of a paper typed with the names of jurors. In the other half, the papers are contained within a paper envelope placed in the center of the pigeon holes.

Used to determine jury members in Essex County, Vermont

Box

2020.22.91ab

Small round ring or pill box. The top has a paper label that reads, "Composition Powders!" along with instructions and manufacturing information.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, Vermont

Box

2020.22.39ab

Trinket box in the shape of a woman. The box is cylindrical. The lid is made of turned pieces of wood: a vasiform peg form the body and head, and two drumstick-shaped pieces form the arms.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1978.19

Rectangular metal box. The exterior is printed with an art nouveau design of purple violets and ivy on the pink ground. The center top is labeled, "Louis Sherry / NEW YORK / PARIS".

Louis Sherry was born in St. Albans, Vermont. He became nationally known as a New York City restauranteur.

Box

2020.22.110

Wooden box with finger jointed corners. All four corners, the top, and the bottom, are secured with very heavy glue.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.4.21

Lens or filter box without lid. The case consists of a round disk covered on the exterior with black leather and lined with purple velvet.

Used by George R. Bosworth in Berlin, VT

Box

2020.22.40ab

Small trinket box in the shape of a man wearing an overcoat. The box is the man's shoulders down, and the lid is the collar and head. There are two small pegs as arms, and he is wearing a hat.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.111

Small wooden box constructed with finger joints and glue. The slide-in lid is missing. The long side of the box has a paper label printed with "ROBINSON'S/Sura-Cuva/FOR/RHEUMATISM/AND/NEURALGIA./A specific for disease arising from an impure and vitiaze state of the blood./Read full directions in Circular."

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

1944.9.4a-b

Short round bandbox with cover.

No known VT connections; duplicate.

Box

1947.6.8f

Small rectangular shaped, grey colored box that reads, "Samuel Kidder & Co. Asthmatic Pastilles. Manufactured and Guaranteed by Samuel Kidder & Co. Incorporated Laboratories Established 1804 BOSTON, Mass. U.S.A. " The short sides of the box read, "Sixteen Asthmatic & Fumigating Pastilles"

Owned by John Barrett of Grafton, Vermont

Box

1957.9

Wooden box consisting of 6 boards nailed together at the sides. The top lifts up and is hinged with two wires.

Box

2020.22.112a-c

Small rectangular box with a sliding lid and a stamp. The corners of the box are held with glued box joints. There is a semi-circle carved into the outer end of the box lid to grip while sliding. A used 1-cent stamp printed with an image of Benjamin Franklin is in the box.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2022.8.1

Small wooden box containing three metal bits. The lid slides off and reads, "VERMONT TAP & TIE CORPN. LYNDONVILLE, VT."

Made by Vermont Tap & Die Corporation in Lyndonville, Vermont.

Box

2020.22.82

Small round wooden box. The top has the inked inscription, "2d. T.B. Ass."

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.113

Tall-sided, long wooden box with glued corners

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.24.14ab

Cream-colored box printed with the label, "Gray's Department Store Montpelier, Vt." in gothic script.

Owned by William Vroman Mason of Waterbury, Vermont

Box

2020.22.114

Wooden box with finger-jointed corners secured with glue.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.115ab

Small rectangular box with a sliding lid. The corners of the box are held with glued box joints. The top of the lid has a paper sticker with the printed inscription, "A. D. BARTER P. O. BOX 185 TELEPHONE 918M 31 1/2 MERCHANTS ROW, RUTLAND, VT." and the penciled inscription, "E P Cushmom Middlebury Vt". There is a purple 3-cent stamp in the corner that is stamped with the words, "RUTLAND VT".

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box

2020.22.84ab

Small, turned wood box shaped like a barrel. The box opens at the halfway point.

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Box Scraper

1960.87

Box scraper plane. The plane consists of a flat piece of metal attached to a U-shaped holder, through which a metal chisel blade is inserted. The U-shaped holder has a central bar that attaches to a long, turned wooden handle.

Owned by Stoddard Benham Bates of Derby, Vermont

Brace

1929.6

Bit brace hand drill. The letters "HX" are on the brass blate near the bit, and the neck is stamped "[illeg]LS. HOL[illeg]".

Used in Berlin, Vermont

Brace

1977.17.17

U-shaped metal brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit.

No known VT connection.

Brace

2014.60.1053

U-shaped wooden brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit. The center of the "U" is carved into a rounded handle. There is a metal disk inlaid into the center of the knob and marked with, "W. Round".

Brace

1970.8.18

U-shaped metal brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit.

Owned by Josephine Durkee Houghton in Pittsfield, Vermont

Brace

1983.10.19

U-shaped metal brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit.

Owned by David Mayo in Montpelier, Vermont

Brace

1954.23

U-shaped wooden brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit. The center of the "U" is carved into a rounded handle. There is a metal disk inlaid into the center of the knob and marked with a coat of arms and the number 986.

Used by Josiah Crocker Wilson in Poultney, Vermont, where he owned a furniture store and undertaking business.

Brace

1970.8.19

U-shaped metal brace with a round knob on one end and a hole on the other end for holding a bit. There is a turned wooden grip at the center.

Owned by Josephine Durkee Houghton in Pittsfield, Vermont

Branding Iron

1960.50.2

Cast iron branding iron consisting of a cast head and a heavy-gauge wire handle. The head is molded with the letters "W. T. DEWEY" in reverse. The handle is bent into a circle at the end.

Owned by William Tarbox Dewey of Montpelier, Vermont

Bread Pan

1957.3.12

Tin bread pan with two handles. The pan has a circular base and flaring sides formed from 5 sheets of tin.

Breaking Plow

1929.8.1a

Plow consisting of a long horizontal beam attached to a vertical, curved piece of wood. The vertical piece is itself attached to a large, V-shaped blade that sits on the ground.

Used by Clark Stowe in Weybridge, Vermont

Broadax

1998.36.1

Broadax with curved blade. The handle curves the same direction as the edge of the blade.

Made by Consider Stebbins Bardwell in West Pawlet, Vermont

Broadax

1946.25

Broadax with a large, metal head and a wooden handle. The handle inserts into the head from the bottom, the end of the wood aligning with the top of the head.

Owned by Herman Bostwich of Hinesburg, Vermont

Broadax

1953.19.2

Short-handled ax with large metal head.

Used by Henry Burnham Waldo of Middlesex, Vermont, to trim logs

Brush

2023.14.20

Wooden hairbrush with horsehair bristles. The brush is painted a cream-color with a full-color design of a sprig of red poppies and yellow flowers with a brown bird.

Made by Pasquale "Patsy" Santo of Rutland, Vermont.

Brush

2017.10.102

Natural-bristled brush with wooden handle, most likely used to brush away debris. There is a small hole through the handle, midway up. The manufacturer's mark reads, "John L. Whiting & Son" on one side of the brush head, while the other reads, "2".

This was in the toolbox of Dwight Joseph Dwinell, who carved the second Ceres statue at the top of the cupola of the Capitol Building.

Brush

2020.22.76

Round brush with a turned wooden handle and white horsehair bristles. The short handle flares at the end, and has simple decorative molding near the bristles. The bristles are attached in small groups into several holes drilled into the handle.

Made by Baker Brush Company in Brandon, VT

Bucket

2008.46

Brown canvas basket. The basket is formed around a metal frame, with the top and bottom edges stitched around rings of metal. A hinged metal bar connects the rings outside the bucket, allowing it to collapse for storage. There is a handle made of metal wire with a turned wooden handle. The bucket is painted with the initials, "V.F.S".

Used by an employee of the Vermont Forest Service

Building Components

1947.6.10g

2 partially-painted iron spikes. The spikes are bent into an L shape in order to act as brackets when attached to a wall.

no known VT connection.

Bushhammer

1982.35.3

4-cut bush hammer head. One side is stamped, "HB HB, IV", and the other stamped "HB HB 1891" and "4$". There are two metal bolts and nuts holding the individual pieces of the hammer head together. (Two are missing).

Used by Vincent Illuzzie in Barre, Vermont

Bushhammer

1982.35.4

4-cut bush hammer head. The tool is stamped on one side with "1315 / 1903". It consists of a central holder with additional pieces of metal (teeth) inserted into the ends and secured with large bolts and nuts (three now missing).

Used by Vincent Illuzzi in Barre, Vermont

Bushhammer

1982.35.6

Four- and six-cut bushhammer head. The tool consists of a central holder with sheets of metal inserted into the ends (four on one side, six on the other) and held in place with large nuts and bolts (three now missing).

Used by Vincenter Illuzzi in Barre, Vermont.

Bushhammer

1982.35.5

6-cut bush hammer head with a remnant of the handle inserted. The tool consists of a central holder with sheets of metal inserted into the ends and secured with bolts and nuts (one now missing).

Used by Vincent Illuzzi in Barre, Vermont

Bushhammer

1982.35.7

10-cut bushhammer head. The tool consists of a central holder with sheets of metal inserted into the ends (10 each side) and held with large nuts and bolts.

Used by Vincent Illuzzi in Barre, Vermont.

Bushhammer

1983.23.1

Four-cut bushhammer with wooden handle marked "J AHERN/MAKER/BARRE, VT./6 4/HE RUSS." The numbers 1-4 are also stamped onto the head, and "H E Russ" is stamped on it in 3 places.

Made by James E. Ahern in Barre, Vermont