Framed Newspaper Article (M300-19E): This July 1931 article from the _Gloucester Times_, "Historic Site of Babson Family Opens July 17," describes the grand Interior Facing East: Welcome to opening of the James Babson the James Babson Cooperage and Cooperage and Historical Tool Historical Tool Museum. Each Museum. Please note that further Early 20th Century Views of overview photo of a section of the research has updated some of the Cooperage: These framed museum will be followed by photos historical details described in the photographs are further described in of individual inventory items. Enjoy! article. the following slides. Closer View of Caption for Cooperage Exterior Image: Roger Babson wrote, "This Cooperage Shop was built in 1658 by James Babson, the first male Babson to Framed Photograph of Beaver Dam Framed Photograph of Cooperage come to America. James was Farm with Nugent Family Exterior (M301-19E): This Frederick Whittemore's grandfather (M302-19E): Note that the photograph of the cooperage nine generations back." Note that cooperage building is sandwiched building, with Roger Babson in the James Babson was given land in between the main house and an foreground and (presumably) Mrs. 1658; however, it is not confirmed attached outbuilding. The farmhouse Roger Babson in the doorway, was that the current building was had burned down by the early taken ca. 1930. constructed at the same time. 1920s. Image ca. 1900. Closer View of Caption for Farmhouse Image (M302-19E): The caption reads as follows: "The Foster-Manning Beaver Dam Farm on the road to Gloucester, ca. 1900, Slanted Front Desk (W126-19E): with the Nugent family (its last This low-framed wood desk, with a occupants) posed in the foreground. slanted front, likely dates from the [The farm's] summer kitchen is now early years of the 20th century. It Alternate View of Slanted Front the Babson Cooperage Shop also shows signs of having had Desk: Desk shows some evidence Museum." some parts replaced. of repairs (W126-19E). Framed Photograph of Local View of Southeast Corner: Several Landscape (M149-19SE): This items in this view of the interior are matted and framed photograph likely Framed Print of Cooperage Shop further described in the following dates to the late 1800s and depicts Painting (M303-19SE): Signed by photographs. the Shore Line Road. artist, E. W. Thomas, 1989. Framed Essay by Roger Babson (M304-19SE): Framed essay by Roger Babson, "The James Babson Barrel Hoops (C86-19SEC): These Place," dated September 1930, Block Plane (C80a-19SEC): One of hoops, split from hickory or chestnut describing historical details of the the many planes on display in the saplings, would have secured the American Babsons. Note that museum, this block plane could barrel staves, top and bottom, on updated research has indicated that have been used for rough work, like barrels dating from the 17th and some of these details are a Jack Plane. Before 1820. 18th centuries. inaccurate. Earthenware Jug (H157-19SER) and Other Storage Containers: Before the invention of plastic, Firkin Storage Bucket (H93-19SER): storage containers were made of Replica Barrel (C100-19SER): This Stained blue, with a curved wood or clay. The glazed and fired colonial-style replica barrel was "buttonhole hoop" wood handle, this ceramic earthen jug depicted here constructed in the early 20th century kind of storage bucket, called a could store up to two gallons of to illustrate 17th and 18th century "firkin," would have been used to liquid. The other items (barrel and barrel-making customs. The binding store a variety of food products, firkin) are described in the following hoops were cut from several including sugar, maple syrup, and photographs. varieties of sapling woods. butter. Firkin Buckets Large and Small (H93-19SW): More examples of View of Northeast Corner: Starting Barrel Tubs of Various Periods blue-stained firkin storage buckets. with an overview photo of each (C109-19NER): These barrel tubs Note the handle on the small firkin is section of the museum helps you can be distinguished primarily by the made of metal rather than wood (as (we hope) to imagine your way material used for the binding hoops-- in the previous image). through the collection. either saplings or metal. Hay Forks (F72-19NEC) (F73-19NEC): These three-tined long-handled forks were used for moving hay and represent how Barrel Tub (C109-19NER): A third styles and materials of farming barrel tub style--the binding hoops equipment changed over the years. on this barrel are reflective of the The forged iron (F72-19NEC) is on Wooden Hay Fork (F73-19NEC): hoops on the small firkin storage the left; the wood (F73-19NEC) on Alternate view of this pre-18th buckets. the right. century hay fork. View of Northeast Wall: These tools Wooden Hay Fork (F73-19NEC): and items of farming equipment will Close-up view. Note the dowels Forged Iron Hay Fork (F72-NEC): be described in the following between the tines, for reinforcement. Close-up view of iron hay fork. photographs. Cowpoke (F70-19NE): This device would have been used to prevent a cow from either jumping over or sticking its head through a fence. The curved part would rest on the cow's neck, and something other than a whippletree would have hung Whippletree (F68-19NE): This wood Oxen Yoke (F66-19NE): This wood from the hook. Another example of a and iron leader-bar was used with and iron yoke is displayed upside cowpoke is in the northwest corner the oxen yoke to distribute weight down. Yokes were used with oxen to of the museum: See if you can spot and enable an evenly balanced help them work together. Likely it! "pull." Likely 1700s. 1700s. Carpenter Adze (W23-19NE): This adze tool was used by a carpenter Closer View of Ox Shoes or joiner to scrape wood smooth. Ox Shoes (F71-19NE): Ox shoes (F71-19NE): The museum has The blade, beveled on the inside, is come in two pieces for each hoof, several pairs of ox shoes on display: set at right angles to the handle. due to the ox's cloven hooves. Can you spy the rest? 1800s. Various Early Augers (C84-19NEC): Snowshoes (T63-19NE): It is Though superficially similar, each of interesting that the design and even these wrought iron augers has a the materials of the snowshoe have particular shape and a specific Closer View of Adze (W23-19NE): really not changed much at all. This purpose for coopering (barrel- Made of forged iron, by a pair seems to date from the late 19th making). The narrow auger on the blacksmith. The handle would have century, of wood and rawhide. A fair top left is called a "Pod Auger." been replaced as it wore out. amount of damage and wear. 1700s. Grain Shovel (F67-19NEC): Grain was always transferred with a wooden shovel. The iron strips and Closer View of Augers nails in the righthand quarter of the (C84-19NEC): The specific size and shovel indicate that this handmade shape of each auger determined its Augers Alternate View grain shovel has weathered at least purpose. Wooden handles would (C84-19NEC): Another view one major repair. The initials "DG" have likely been added for easier showing the variations among these are carved into the back of the grasping. 1700s. historic augers. handle. 1700s. Wooden Clothes Wringer (P90-19NEC): This portable clothing wringer would be set on top Late 19th Century Equipment : Most View of Northeast Floor: A view of of a tub and an item of clothing of the items in this view would have several items displayed on the floor would be fed through as the handle been partially or wholly factory- in the northeast corner. These are was turned, squeezing out both manufactured: Each piece is described individually in the water and suds. Late 19th century in described more fully in following following photos. construction. slides. Cased Foghorn by Lothrop (T102-19NE): Brass foghorn with Wooden Separator (P148-19NEC): working pump, in wooden case with This box-shaped wooden separator leather handle. Manufactured by L. Label for Lothrop Fog Horn with a bunghole, set on an elevated D. Lothrop & Sons. #1519. Late (T102-19NE): Follow-on from platform, dates from the late 1800s. 1800s. previous photo. Alternate View of Lothrop Fog Horn Alternate View of Fog Horn and British Iron Cannon (M173-19NEC): (T102-19NE): Case opened for Pump (T102-19NE): Foghorn and Iron cannon from a British frigate, closer view of foghorn. pump within wooden case. circa 1812. Stock Knife (P62-19NEC): Also called a Block Knife. Made of wrought iron and used in carpenter's shop to cut rough wood shapes. Alternative View of Stock Knife Butter Churn (P99-19NE): Tapered Would have been secured to a (P62-19NEC): The curved end from bottom to top and made with stump or block with a forged hook would be hooked into a block for staves of cedar, a butter churn might for leverage. Late 1700s. leverage. be made by a cooper. Round Bent Wood Boxes (H6-19NEC): Two round bent wood Fork Cultivator (F136-19NE) plus boxes are in the collection, both Boxes and Bench: The five-tined Cheesemaker Bench (P107-19NE): stained blue. One of the covers curved iron fork would have been This small wooden table, used for (shown here, damaged, on top of fitted with a long pole handle. Late making cheese, has carry handles complete one) displays a sundial 1800s. See following images for on each end and a deep circle design carved into the surface. details about other pieces depicted carved in the center (for the cheese Boxes like these would have been here.