Historical Room Artifacts

Here is a preview of just a few of the pieces of history that are available for viewing in our Historical Room:

Niddy Noddy Niddy-noddy. A tool used to make skeins from yarn. It consists of a central bar, with crossbars at each end, offset from each other by 90°. Either one of the crossbars will have a flat edge to slide the skein off of, or will be completely removable. Yarn is skeined directly after spinning or plying, because after spinning or plying the yarn gets washed, and a skein is the best form to have the yarn in for washing.
Foot Warmer Antique Pierced Tin and Wood Foot Warmer. During the 18th century the general style for foot warmers was a pierced tin box with a hinged door allowing access to an ember tray. The tin box was often mounted in a wooden frame (such as this one) with wire handle. These early foot warmers are most often spoken of as being carried to church with people stopping at nearby taverns and homes to replace their supply of embers. They were also used to keep the riders’ feet warm on cold sleigh rides.
Noise Maker Noise Maker. This is an early primitive wooden clacker or noise maker. This type of device was used for both fire and police alarms. It is surprisingly very loud when you hold it by the handle and swing it around so the wooden slats click loudly against the ridged wheels.
Tobacco Cutter Antique Hand Forged Metal and Wood Tobacco Cutter Tool. These cutters were generally found in general stores around the turn of the 20th century, and were used to cut plug tobacco to the size ordered by the customer. This tool may have been owned by a local resident for his/her own personal use.