10/05/2023 | Mark Hanson, Curator

Mystery Solved!

Last year we shared an image of a mysterious wooden horse or bench. This artifact was found in collections without an artifact number. Despite our best efforts we could not identify it or its function.

Fast forward to earlier this summer. By chance we ran across an old, undated black and white photo of a museum gallery space. Clearly visible in the background is an odd-looking box with a large crank sitting on our mystery bench. Research revealed that box was cataloged in our system as either a meat grinder or tobacco leaf shredder. The bench and box were reunited and fit perfectly! Missing are the wooden wedges that slip into the bench’s uprights to firmly hold the box in place.

How cool is that!

#CollectionsCorner