The pie safe was another French family piece. John made this for Sally to use in the kitchen in order to preserve food. The tin holes allowed ventilation but were small enough to keep out bugs. This only allowed for about a day of preservation, good enough to keep your breakfast or lunch leftovers for dinner. John's Spiritualist beliefs are also reflected in this creation, as the square in the upper right corner has a leaf that was left unfinished.

This wood-burning stove is similar to what Sally would have used every day. Underneath the stove, a container of sand would have been placed to extinguish any embers that may have started a fire. Reports in our collections detail parts of the kitchen burning down and being rebuilt in 1850. On top of the stove are cast iron pots and pans that Sally would have cooked with.

The sad iron (left) was heavy and time-consuming to use. The iron would need to be heated on the stove, and the handle would be wrapped to prevent burns. After wiping the stove surface, the iron would be used until it cooled, and the entire process would be repeated.

The steam iron (right) was an advancement in technology! The wooden handle caused fewer burns, and you could place coals in the bottom to keep the iron warmer for longer periods. You could also use the iron as a steamer by placing water in the top portion!

Fruits, herbs and spices, and vegetables were best preserved by hanging them out to dry.

This coffee grinder is similar to what the French family would have owned. Back then, coffee came in 50 lb sacks. The beans had to be roasted to a dark brown or black, ground, and mixed up before you could actually make the coffee on the stove!

Sally grew her own herbs and spices, dried them out, and ground them up to store in spice tins similar to these.

Sally's treasured bread bowl was a gift to her from her sons. It is made from Tulepo wood.

Butter molds helped to form churned butter. Farmers also used them to put their personal brand on their products as a way to market their business! The butter mold on the left is believed to be from David French.

Churning butter was typically a girl's job, but it could serve as a punishment for boys. If one of the boys got in trouble, he could be made to sit out on the front porch churning butter to be humiliated and have all his friends laugh at him.