Charles Mellon gave this mechanical coin bank to the Otoe County museum so that generations of children could continue to enjoy a hundred-year-old toy. Mechanical coin banks were a post-Civil War American invention, popular among Victorians because…
These quadruple silver napkin rings are relics of the Victorian silver hollowware boom. Silver soup tureens, condiment sets, platters, and tableware in the dining room and toiletry items, perfume flasks, powder boxes, and hand mirrors in the bathroom…
These three pages out of a notebook represent everyday records a farmer would have kept to document his interactions with workers, neighbors, and livestock and lumber traders. This particular notebook belonged to Betty Stukenholtz's great…
This "Class Autographs" book with verses and writings from friends and family is a continuation of the rich tradition of the 19th century albums. Alice Stukenholtz used her book made in the 1930s not just to collect signatures and wishes from friends…
This large scrapbook-type album is but one incarnation of the 19th century album tradition, with examples to be found in Britain, Russia, and America. With richly decorated maroon and gold cover with artfully arranged pictures, calling cards and…
This earthenware tea set consisting of a teapot, creamer and a sugar bowl used to belong to Betty Wilberger's grandparents. Each item in the set is oblong, featuring a large sunflower on each side and square brown handles. It is hard to know where…
Issued to a drover overseeing transportation of cattle from the Omaha market to Axtell, this ticket is one of the rare documents of the turn of the 20th century railroad operations. Unlike a passenger ticket, the drover's ticket featured a list of…
These two admission tickets a Chautauqua event, organized by a recently established (1898) Texas-Colorado Chautauqua Association belonged to F.J. Nelson of Axtell, Nebraska. Chautauqua is an institute of short two-three week schools for popular adult…
Issued to a drover overseeing transportation of cattle from the Omaha market to Axtell, this ticket is one of the rare documents of the turn of the 20th century railroad operations. Unlike a passenger ticket, the drover's ticket featured a list of…
The Timber Claim Receipt sent to A.H. Hauptmann on July 16, 1898 certified that he paid the $4.00 (about a $100 today) for the 160 acres of land he had to use to plant trees on. Passed in 1873, The Timber Culture Act provided up to 160 acres of land…