Topics Related to Artifact Spotlight

 A familiar sound through the Appalachian region, the dulcimer came to the mountains on the backs and wagons of those leaving Western Europe.

Did you ever own a music box, or still do? When you wind it up, the way it works is similar to this artifact spotlight, a roller organ. Produced from the late 1870s through the 1920s, the roller organ was the must-have music device of the Victorian period.  

Reliable and durable, many cookware items in the past were made of cast iron. From kettles to Dutch ovens, even toasters were made of iron.

A New Device for the Modern Kitchen

Introduction

If corn represented a versatile crop from the Americas, the apple was that from Europe.

Weddings are a time of celebration, joining of families, and of course, presents. Specifically, gifts for the newlywed’s home. On a wooden rope bed in the museum lays just such a present, a quilt given to newlyweds Eliza Spencer and E. Higley.

Origin Unknown?

When studying the origins of instruments, a mixture of fact, folklore, and verbal sources come into play. For instance, we know the modern banjo comprises of an instrument brought with West African slaves and the Spanish guitar.

Corn for Play

A common sight at many historic sites or places, the corn husk doll provides a great hands-on activity for people of all ages. These simple dolls help guests learn about a toy that children of all races created.

Giving You those Perfect Ringlets

Curling hair or beards dates back centuries. Evidence of this can be found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Assyrian cultures.

Grinding by Hand

Today, grinding your coffee beans seems quaint in some ways. Many of us are used to going to our favorite grocery store or café and buying pre-grind beans.