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Letter from Isaac Foster to Robert Simpson, 24 August 1813
Isaac Foster sends love to his wife and child while serving as a soldier in the War of 1812. He thinks they will go on to St. Mary’s and wait there for further orders. He writes of attacks by Native Americans.
The Art of Cookery, made plain and easy.
An 18th-century cookbook including one hundred and fifty recipes and modes of cooking, as well as recipes for cosmetics and medicinal purposes.
Iron Dutch Oven
The Dutch oven and its hook were brought to Bourbon County, Kentucky, from Frederick County, Maryland, by the Liter family before 1800. In addition to many other household tasks, free and enslaved women prepared three meals a day for their household,…
Iron Spider Pot
The spider pot was brought to Bourbon County, Kentucky, from Frederick County, Maryland, by the Liter family before 1800. During this period, cooking was the second leading cause of death for women. Overheating, skirts catching on fire, exhaustion,…
Basting Spoon
Basting spoons were used to baste (pour juices or melted fat over meat during cooking in order to keep it moist), as well as for stirring and serving. Basting spoons were used often because of the large amount of meat that was consumed on the…
Teakettle
This teakettle was brought to Bourbon County, Kentucky, by the Liter family before 1800. Tea isn't immediately thought of as an 'American' staple, but historically it was. Tea in the early 19th century was more popular than beer and teakettles were…
Candle Mold
A mold that could make three candles at a time. Most candles at the time were made with tallow (animal fat) because other options like beeswax were expensive. Using bayberries, despite providing wax with a pleasant smell, was hard work and took too…
Wool Comb
In addition to flax, wool was an important fiber during the colonial and frontier era. Wool combs arranged the fibers, separating the undercoat from outercoat and teasing the wool before carding by disentangling, cleaning and intermixing fibers. This…
Flax Paddle
Flax paddles were used for scutching, part of the process for 'dressing' flax, or getting it prepped for spinning. Flax is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. It was an important crop during the colonial and early frontier era. Until the…
Spinning Wheel belonging to the Slaughter Family
This spinning wheel is said to have belonged to Caldweller Slaughter who came to Kentucky as early as 1787. It could also have come from the family of one of his wives. His first wife, Margaret Ransdell Slaughter, died in 1786. Some sources indicate…
Weaving Reed
Weaving reeds are a part of weaving looms that are used to separate and space the warp threads, which guides the shuttle's movement across the loom and pushes weft threads into place. Reeds were interchangeable and different reeds were used to make…
Textile shuttle
Shuttles were textile tools designed to carry and move yarn back and forth through the warp which in turn creates cloth.
Pillowcase with drawn work edges
Cotton pillowcase belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three young…
Bedcover
Handwoven, linen bedcover belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three…
Bedcover
Handwoven, linen bedcover belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three…
Bedcover
Handwoven, linen bedcover belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three…
Bedspread (trapunto design)
Cotton bedspread belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three young…
Linen Coverlet
Linen coverlet belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three young sons.…
Sheet
Sheet belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three young sons. Elizabeth…
Sheet
Sheet belonging to Elizabeth Tyler Sturgeon. Elizabeth married Thomas Sturgeon in 1816, who died only seven years into their marriage. Elizabeth then took on the responsibility of managing their farm while also raising her three young sons. Elizabeth…
Featured Item
Enid Bland Yandell and friends, ca. 1900
Enid Bland Yandell (center) stands with a group of women in the woods. All the women are holding bouquets of flowers.